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Gun sales rise before expected gun law reform

Posted at 11:29 AM, Jan 04, 2016
and last updated 2016-01-04 13:29:26-05

President Obama is expected to take an executive action on guns next week. In the past, talk of new controls has triggered a rush to buy guns across the nation and here in Tucson. This past weekend, hundreds turned out for the Crossroads of The West gun show held at the Pima County Fairgrounds. 

That executive action comes in the wake of several mass shootings that have taken place in recent years. Officials say the goal is to close the so-called "gun show loophole" that allows some private gun sellers to skip background checks for buyers. 
 
That's in contrast to gun stores and federally licensed dealers who are required to perform those background checks and record all transactions. 
 
At the Crossroads of The West gun show in Tucson, we talked to one customer who doesn't think private gun sales are the issue. 
 
"That's misinformation, that's not a loop hole," said a man who wanted to remain anonymous. "Just like myself selling to my cousin or something. I guess it would be more of a 'heres $300 and I know where you live.' It's more of a handshake than anything else. But loopholes as far as gun dealers, they have to go through all the same stuff."
 
As of right now, there are only 18 states in the US that require background checks for all firearm sales. Arizona is not one of those states. 
 
President Obama is expected to meet with Attorney General Loretta Lynch to discuss the issue on Monday.