Since 30 percent of guns used in crimes are purchased at gun shows and NC ranks seventh in the nation in the number of shows it hosts, stricter enforcement of laws at NC gun shows could shut down a pipeline of weapons to people who cannot obtain a permit to legally purchase guns. In the past legislative session, lawmakers failed to vote on a bill to require private individuals who sell firearms at gun shows to check for handgun purchase permits and do background checks on potential buyers of other firearms. Legislators should pass this bill in the 2000 session. They should also allocate resources for law enforcement at gun shows. Right now, no state agency is responsible for monitoring gun shows.
Regulation falls to each county law enforcement agency.
By enabling law enforcement agencies such as the State Bureau of Investigation and the Division of Alcohol Law Enforcement to monitor and regulate gun dealers and gun shows, the State could provide consistent enforcement of gun laws and keep guns away from criminals. When Virginia limited gun purchases to one gun per person per month, guns purchased from Virginia rather than other southeastern states fell 70 percent and the state's share of guns used in crimes and traced back to Virginia fell 54 percent. 19 Lawmakers should also require the successful completion of a handgun safety training course before one can obtain a permit to buy a firearm. Finally, NC should assign stricter penalties to adults who allow children access to guns. Seventy-five percent of the guns used in juvenile suicides were improperly stored.