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Schneiderman tours Rochester gun show, announces new agreements with gun show operators

by jmaloni

Press release

Mon, Apr 8th 2013 11:00 am

New agreements with Long Island, Western New York operators mean 26 companies hosting 55 gun shows have adopted Schneiderman's model gun show procedures

After a tour of one of the largest gun shows in the state of New York, Attorney General Eric T. Schneiderman has announced that three more gun show operators have agreed to follow the model gun show procedures developed by the his office to promote uniform gun show operations across the state. As a result of these new voluntary agreements, 26 operators responsible for at least 55 gun shows in New York this year will implement model procedures designed to ensure that legally required background checks are completed on every sale of a firearm.

Schneiderman announced the new agreements following a tour of the Rochester Gun Show operated by Empire State Arms Collectors Association, his first visit to a gun show since taking office. During the tour, the attorney general was briefed by the show's operators on the implementation of the model gun show procedures, including a rule that ensures all guns brought into the gun show by private sellers are tagged so that, upon exiting, the operator can determine if guns were sold and that a proper background check was performed.

"I am proud to stand together with the organizers of today's Rochester gun show to highlight our shared commitment to keeping deadly firearms out of the hands of felons, terrorists, and those who are dangerously mentally ill," Schneiderman said. "The cooperation we have seen shows that public safety does not need to be divisive or a partisan issue. Gun show operators around the state have voluntarily agreed to adopt simple procedures that increase the safety of New Yorkers without infringing upon the Second Amendment rights of gun owners. I look forward to continuing to work with them to accomplish our shared goal of making our communities safer."

"Responsible gun owners, gun show operators, and the attorney general all want the same thing. We want to protect our communities and families by keeping firearms out of the hands of dangerous criminals, which is why we applaud Attorney General Schneiderman's efforts to work with us to adopt these voluntary model protocols," said Bernie Lusk, president of the Empire State Arms Collectors Association. "These cooperative agreements are common sense, voluntary agreements that help operators implement state law without impeding our businesses. But more importantly, they show that it is possible to work collaboratively and find common ground on gun safety issues."

The most recent signees include B&C Sporting LLC of Long Island, which holds two gun shows annually; Little Valley Volunteer Fire Department Inc., and Sons of the American Legion, Squadron No. 531. The process is ongoing, with the goal of universal adoption of the procedures in the state by the end of this year.

Schneiderman's agreements are with operators who run gun shows in Akron, Albany, Alexander, Allegany, Batavia, Caledonia, Canandaigua, Cheektowaga, Clarence, Clayton, Clifton Park, Clyde, Elmira, Fillmore, Geneseo, Great Valley, Hamburg, Hauppauge, Lake George, Lisle, Little Valley, Middletown, North Geneva, Oneonta, Port Crane, Rochester, Salamanca, Sanitaria Springs, Saratoga Springs, Sidney, Springville, Syracuse, Unadilla, Wales Center, Watkins Glen, Westfield and West Potsdam.

The development of the model procedures grew out of Schneiderman's 2011 investigation of gun shows around the state. This investigation uncovered the frequent occurrence of private sales without background checks. Following that discovery, the attorney general's office and several gun show operators worked together to develop the model procedures, which balance the rights of the sportsmen and gun collectors with the need to protect the public from the sale of guns to people who cannot pass a background check, also known as a "National Instant Criminal Background Check System" or "NICS." The model procedures require operators to do the following:

•Post conspicuous signs throughout the shows, and give written notice to all dealers that New York state law requires that a NICS be completed before the transfer of a gun at a gun show, including on the grounds of the show.

•Require that all guns brought into the gun show by private sellers are tagged so that, upon exiting, the operator can determine if the guns were sold and a NICS was performed.

•Provide access to a dealer who is authorized to conduct a NICS at cost.

•The dealer performing the NICS shall complete and file the ATF form 4473 and maintain the forms for inspection by law enforcement agencies for 10 years, per the gun show law.

•Limit the number of access doors at the show so that sellers and buyers have to enter and exit through an area where the NICS procedures can be monitored.

•Use reasonable means to prevent illegal gun sales outside of the building, including the parking lot.

•Alert local law enforcement that a show will be held in their area, request periodic patrols in the parking lots to deter illegal sales, and call them if illegal sales are observed or suspected.

During the tour, Schneiderman visited the station where firearms are tagged before entering the gun show, witnessed a background check procedure, and saw the station where purchased firearms are inspected to ensure a background check has been completed before the purchaser can remove the gun from the show.

The 26 gun show operators that have agreed to adopt Schneiderman's model gun show procedures are:

  • Alabama Hunt Club Inc.

  • B&C Sporting LLC

  • BLG Auction Services

  • Bontrager Real Estate and Auction Services

  • Clayton Rotary Club

  • Daniel A. Carter Auction Co. Inc.

  • Empire State Arms Collectors Association Inc.

  • Goldfuss & Assoc.

  • Hessney Auction Company LTD

  • Little Valley Volunteer Fire Department Inc.

  • Mid Atlantic Arms Collectors

  • Mid-Hudson Promotions Inc.

  • Mid State Arms Collectors & Shooters Club Inc.

  • NEACA Inc.

  • New York State Arms Collectors Association Inc.

  • Niagara Frontier Collectors Inc

  • Niagara Frontier Gun Shows Inc

  • Newmart Promotions Inc.

  • RG Mason Auction

  • Roy Teitsworth Inc.

  • Sons of the American Legion, Squadron No. 531

  • TB Auction, Hunt Real Estate

  • York-Penn Shows Inc.

  • Westchester Collectors Inc.

  • West Potsdam Volunteer Fire Company Inc.

  • Williston Auctions Inc.

For more information on the model procedures between Schneiderman and gun show operators around New York state, visit www.ag.ny.gov.

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