Reply #48: As other posters note, the "gun show" figure lumps together disparate categories

[Euromutt]

The so-called "gun show loophole" consists of prohibited persons notionally being able to bypass a NICS check by purchasing firearms from private sellers, something that can, but does not necessarily have to, take place at gun shows.

However, the numbers the ATF gives of guns diverted at gun shows aren't just guns diverted through the "gun show loophole," but includes sales by Federal Firearms Licensees and "straw" purchases. FFLs are required, and able, to request NICS checks on a buyer no matter where they're doing business, be it in their own business premises or at a gun show. Straw purchasers are individuals who have no criminal record and can therefore pass a NICS, who purchase firearms on behalf of prohibited persons or traffickers. Neither type of sale would be affected by the measures proposed to "close the gun show loophole," and because the ATF doesn't break down the diversion figures, we can't tell how big the supposed "gun show loophole" problem actually is. And I have a hard time figuring out why the ATF chose to muddy the issue like this, except to make it look bigger--much bigger--than it actually is.