Recently, California opted to put an end to the public sale of firearms and ammunition on state property, in an effort to try and end the continuous violence that comes from active shooter events. However, as a result of this ban, it has pretty much spelled out the end of public gun shows in the state.
A number of gun safety activists have argued in the past that shows such as this not only increase the potential of gun violence, but also fuel illegal gun sales. However, private gun owners who regularly attend the shows speak differently, explaining how they’re regulated properly and give them a place to discuss their wares with others – without the fear of being banned on social media or having fingers pointed at them by critics.
State Senator Dave Min believes the law will help the state as a whole, saying he believes that such shows are a showcase for “ghost guns” and other illegal parts to be sold. “The state of California should not profit on what is essentially blood money,” he explained at the time of the law’s passing.
However, Michael Schwartz, an executive director of San Diego County Gun Owners PAC, says otherwise, believing the law is a “slap in the face of millions of Californians.”
“Tying gun shows to mass shootings is ludicrous. It’s offensive. We’re not doing anything wrong. We’re not doing anything immoral. We’re good, upstanding taxpayers like anyone else.”
To discuss the ban of such shows in further detail, we’ve invited a spokesperson from the 2nd Amendment Foundation to provide their perspective, and why the state may be overreaching a bit when it comes to its recent ruling.
Q&A:
- Michael Schwartz believes that this recent ban is “a slap in the face of millions of Californians.” Would you agree with this statement?
- Do you think California’s decision to ban the sale of such weapons is a bit rash?
- Having probably attended a gun show or two, tell us what the experience is like, and what California has gotten wrong when it comes to assessing them.
- How effective do you believe California’s ban will be as a whole? Especially considering most people can still find places to buy illegal rifles and other goods?
- It sounds like other states may not be adopting California’s rash laws against guns so quickly, particularly Texas. Why do you think that is? Different beliefs? Or do you believe they’re doing something else when it comes to trying to tone down on gun violence?
- What argument would you have for someone that believes gun shows are a “dangerous” place to buy goods and illegal weapons?
- Where can we learn more about the Second Amendment Foundation and its members?
- Those interested can visit http://www.saf.org/.
Second Amendment Foundation spokespersons available to be your guest:
ABOUT CHRIS CHENG (In Pacific Time)
Chris Cheng serves on the advisory council to the Second Amendment Foundation’s Board of Trustees. He is the History Channel’s Top Shot Season 4 Champion and author of the book “Shoot to Win.” Cheng is an Asian D&I advocate in the gun community, a former Google employee who went from self-taught amateur to pro shooter.
ABOUT CAM EDWARDS (In Eastern Time)
Cam Edwards is the editor at Bearing Arms-dot-com and hosts the popular podcast Cam & Company that focuses on Second Amendment news and information. Cam is originally from Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, and has worked in radio, television, and online media for over two decades. He currently lives on a small farm with his family near Farmville, Virginia, and is a member of the board of Citizens Committee to Keep and Bear Arms.
ABOUT MARK WALTERS (in Eastern Time):
Mark Walters is a member of the board of directors for the Citizens Committee for the Right to Keep and Bear Arms. As a nationally syndicated host of two talk radio programs, Armed American Radio and Armed American Radio’s Daily Defense, Mark is heard on hundreds of stations weekly across the country. Mark is the co-founder of Armed American News and the recipient of the 2015 “Gun Rights Defender of the Year award.” In addition, Mark Walters is co-author of three books, including Lessons from Armed America, Lessons from Unarmed America, and Grilling While Armed.
ABOUT LEE WILLIAMS (In Eastern Time)
Lee Williams is also known as The Gun Writer and has been writing about the Second Amendment, firearms, the firearms industry, and the gun culture for more than ten years. He is the Chief Editor of the Second Amendment Foundation’s Investigative Reporting Project and is a frequent contributor to Ammoland News and Armed American Radio. In addition, Lee serves as a board member of Florida Carry, Inc. He was also an editor for a daily newspaper in Florida. Before becoming a newspaper editor, Lee was an investigative reporter in three states and a U.S. Territory. Before becoming a journalist, he worked as a police officer. Before becoming a cop, Lee served in the Army. Lee has earned more than a dozen national journalism awards as a reporter and three medals of valor as a police officer.
ABOUT DAVE WORKMAN (In Pacific Time):
Dave Workman is an award-winning career journalist and senior editor of TheGunMag.com. He writes for Liberty Park Press, Conservative Firing Line, and is communications director for the Citizens Committee for the Right to Keep and Bear Arms. He has authored Op-Ed pieces in several major newspapers, including the Chicago Tribune, Seattle Times, and Atlanta Journal-Constitution, and co-authored seven books with Second Amendment Foundation Alan Gottlieb. Workman’s beat is firearms, from politics to the outdoors. He is widely considered an authority on firearms, concealed carry, and gun politics.
The Second Amendment Foundation (www.saf.org) is the nation’s oldest and largest tax-exempt education, research, publishing, and legal action group focusing on the Constitutional right and heritage to privately own and possess firearms. Founded in 1974, The Foundation has grown to more than 700,000 members and supporters and conducts many programs designed to better inform the public about the consequences of gun control.
CONTACT: To schedule an interview, contact Jerry McGlothlin of Special Guests PR Agency at 919-437-0001 or jerry.specialguests@gmail.com
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