You can t just pick and choose. But that s exactly what public officials in my neighborhood want to do in their brazenly unconstitutional attempt to ban gun shows. This effort follows a nationwide assault launched in Los Angeles, which moved to ban gun shows two years ago. The dead aim of my local lawmakers is to shut down Maryland s only gun show operator, Silverado Promotions, which has held events at a local fairgrounds for a decade without incident. Frank Krasner, owner of Silverado Promotions, adds that his shows are heavily policed and attended by many cops who are hobbyists and collectors themselves.
Gun show bans aren t about promoting safety.
They re about cracking down on the free speech and free assembly of law-abiding citizens who have a passion for exercising their Second Amendment rights. At gun shows across the country, hunters shop for equipment, buy books, and swap tips. Families browse historical exhibits, antiques, collectibles, and war memorabilia. And yes, people from all walks of life come to buy guns for recreation and self-defense. The real problem these gun bigots have is not with crime, but with the lawful civilian ownership of firearms.