Gun show lacks background checks

TROTWOOD, Ohio (WDTN) - State Representative Clayton Luckie feels strongly about firearms in the hands of criminals.

"I don't want guns from New Jersey to be coming to Dayton to Ohio and committing crimes."

Representative Luckie is speaking out about what he calls a major problem.

"This is an awareness, to put individuals on notice that running these gun shows that there are rules and regulations that they must follow."

Luckie says proper background checks are not in place for those purchasing a firearm from an independent seller.

"They must check ID's, they must check for fraudulent activity, they must make sure the person who they are is who they are."

Just last year, hidden cameras captured illegal gun sales at a show in Sharonville and investigators say it was a similar scene at the Bill Goodman Gun and Knife Show held at Hara Arena in Trotwood in March 2009. Mayor Michael Bloomberg's office conducted the months-long investigation in an effort to uncover what he calls, the "gun show loophole," which allows private sellers to sell guns without conducting a background check. Gun show promoters say there is no loophole. Brian Rothenberg from ProgressOhio.org doesn't see it that way.

"It is easier in Ohio right now, to buy a gun than it is to buy cold medicine behind the counter at your local drug store."

Rothenberg says he wants sellers to follow the law.

"The problem isn't that we're telling people that they shouldn't be able to buy guns at shows behind us. The problem is people skirt the law and don't do background checks."

In 2009, Bill Goodman representatives told 2news they were looking Federally Licensed Firearms Dealers, who are willing to volunteer and conduct background checks for private sellers. No word on if they were successful with that initiative.