He took the money, counted the 16 twenties and handed over the Taurus. In the next 15 minutes, eight people approached and asked if they could buy the gun we'd just purchased. A plainclothes detective from the Montgomery County Sheriff's Office, invited along to observe any activity, said most, if not all, of the eight probably have criminal records. But the private gun owners who often prowl gun shows and the grounds outside can sell guns legally without checking the buyer's background. Those who do have them must lay their firearms on a table so officials can make sure they aren't loaded.
Many private sales are legit.
But the fact remains that at gun shows, criminals can get a buffet of guns with no questions asked and there is no telling where the guns will end up. Organizers of the Goodman show say that's not true. There is no gun show loophole because there is nothing wrong with private sales. The criminals know these people are going to be at our shows and a lot of them stay away. Goodman, whose company is based in Mount Washington, Ky., near Louisville, organizes about 30 gun shows a year around the nation.