Home > Issues & Campaigns > Gun Show Loophole > Virginia Campaign

Virginia Campaign to Close the Gun Show Loophole

E-mail Print
"You want people who are mentally adjudicated to be dangerous to have guns or you don't. If you don't want them to, then you ought to close that gun show loophole."

- Former Virginia Governor
Tim Kaine

The Educational Fund to Stop Gun Violence (Ed Fund) is conducting an educational campaign to inform the public about how criminals are exploiting the "Gun Show Loophole" to obtain firearms in the Commonwealth of Virginia

Under Virginia law, Federal Firearms Licensees are required to perform criminal background checks on individuals purchasing firearms at gun shows. However, this law does not apply to private individuals who make "occasional" gun sales as a "hobby." These unlicensed sellers can sell firearms to anyone at a gun show without conducting a background check—cash and carry, no questions asked.  We would like to see Virginia's legislators close this dangerous loophole for good.

The Ed Fund is also calling attention to proposals to allow individuals to carry concealed handguns into bars and restaurants that serve alcohol, churches, courthouses, child day care centers, libraries, and other sensitive public places in the Commonwealth.

We have been joined in these campaigns by many other organizations in Virginia, including the Virginia Center for Public Safety, the Virginia Chapters of the Million Mom March, Protest Easy Guns, Angel Fund, the Campaign to close the Gun Show Loophole, and Virginians for Responsible Gun Laws.

Get Involved

If you are a Virginia resident:

  • Join the Virginia Center for Public Safety (VACPS) email list for updates on the Gun Show Loophole and other important issues.
  • Sign an online petition to close the Gun Show Loophole in Virginia.
  • Help close the "Newspaper Loophole" in Virginia.
  • Organize a "Lie-In" protest against easy access to guns in your community.
  • Monitor legislation currently moving through the Virginia General Assembly.
Resources for Advocates
Social Networking
Polling Data
  • December 2010 poll shows 85% of Virginians want Gun Show Loophole closed
  • 2009 Virginia House of Delegates candidate survey results on key gun issues
  • April 2009 poll shows 76% of Virginians want the Gun Show Loophole closed
  • January 2008 poll indicates an overwhelming majority of Virginians rank toughening gun laws and closing the Gun Show Loophole as their top legislative priorities
  • April 2007 poll shows Virginians want tougher gun laws and think guns on college campuses is a bad idea
Photos and Videos
In January 2010, VACPS and its gun violence prevention partners in Virginia conducted a vigil at the State Capitol to remember victims of gun violence.
  • Photos and Video of 2011 "Advocacy Day" at the State Capital in Richmond
  • Video of Virginia Tech Survivor Colin Goddard buying multiple firearms within one hour at a Roanoke gun show—no background checks
  • Video of militia leader Mike Vanderboegh speaking at the "Restore the Constitution" Open Carry Rally in Fort Hunt Park, Virginia, on April 19, 2010
  • Video of Attorney General Ken Cuccinelli speaking at the Second Amendment March on April 12, 2010
  • Video of 2010 "Advocacy Day" at the State Capitol in Richmond
  • Video of Virginia Tech Survivor Colin Goddard buying firearms at multiple gun shows in Virginia without undergoing background checks
  • Video of Omar Samaha (who lost his sister Reema at Virginia Tech) buying 10 guns in one hour at a Virginia gun show—no background checks
  • Video of NRA/VCDL harassment of victims and survivors of gun violence at the vigil at State Capitol in Richmond on January 21, 2008
Links
 
Rate this page:
(1 Vote)