SACRAMENTO -
Using undercover pictures and video, a UC Davis School of Medicine report says that gun shows are an important source for guns used by criminals.
Dr. Garen Wintemute of the school's Violence Prevention Research Program went to 78 gun shows throughout the country documenting the private sales of guns at gun shows. His pictures and videos show men walking gun show floors with signs around their necks advertising the sale of weapons which are carried by them.
"The exchange is a matter cash and a handshake and it can be over in a minute and those transactions are legal," said Wintemute at a press conference to release his findings. The problem is that the sales don't require any background checks or any other documentation.
The report actually says that more guns used for crimes are purchased through licensed gun dealers, both at retail outlets and at gun shows. He showed a sequence of photographs showing how an illegal "straw purchase" was made. A man was given cash to fill out forms and undergo a background check by the dealer. An AK-47 assault rifle was then handed over to the man who actually initiated the buy. Wintemute says it's an easy way for criminals to obtain guns.
Another UC Davis researcher who attended the press conference hoping to see scientific data linking gun show sales and crime was disappointed.
"None of that was presented," said Jesse Bengson.
Instead, he said he saw anecdotal inferences and personal opinion. He said you can't condemn flea markets for bad things that happen in them and that individuals are responsible for how guns are used.
Wintemute conceded that the data isn't there.
"It'sjust as a matter of logic that private party sales are more likely to result in criminal use of firearms, but it's an inference at this point," he said. \
But Wintemute defended his report saying it was not meant to be a scientific study. Instead, he said he wanted people to see what happens at gun shows to encourage a closer examination of gun policy.
The emergency room doctor is well known for is articles on guns and their effects on violent deaths and injuries. He said the type of weapon used in violent incidents matters.
"An assault with a firearm is 7 times more likely to be fatal than with a knife...We don't hear about drive-by knifings," said Wintemute.
Guns in California, including private sales, are regulated more heavily than other states. But Wintemute says many Californians go to gun shows in Nevada and Arizona. He says there needs to be more oversight of existing gun laws at gun shows by law enforcement.
Dr. Garen Wintemute of the school's Violence Prevention Research Program went to 78 gun shows throughout the country documenting the private sales of guns at gun shows. His pictures and videos show men walking gun show floors with signs around their necks advertising the sale of weapons which are carried by them.
"The exchange is a matter cash and a handshake and it can be over in a minute and those transactions are legal," said Wintemute at a press conference to release his findings. The problem is that the sales don't require any background checks or any other documentation.
The report actually says that more guns used for crimes are purchased through licensed gun dealers, both at retail outlets and at gun shows. He showed a sequence of photographs showing how an illegal "straw purchase" was made. A man was given cash to fill out forms and undergo a background check by the dealer. An AK-47 assault rifle was then handed over to the man who actually initiated the buy. Wintemute says it's an easy way for criminals to obtain guns.
Another UC Davis researcher who attended the press conference hoping to see scientific data linking gun show sales and crime was disappointed.
"None of that was presented," said Jesse Bengson.
Instead, he said he saw anecdotal inferences and personal opinion. He said you can't condemn flea markets for bad things that happen in them and that individuals are responsible for how guns are used.
Wintemute conceded that the data isn't there.
"It'sjust as a matter of logic that private party sales are more likely to result in criminal use of firearms, but it's an inference at this point," he said. \
But Wintemute defended his report saying it was not meant to be a scientific study. Instead, he said he wanted people to see what happens at gun shows to encourage a closer examination of gun policy.
The emergency room doctor is well known for is articles on guns and their effects on violent deaths and injuries. He said the type of weapon used in violent incidents matters.
"An assault with a firearm is 7 times more likely to be fatal than with a knife...We don't hear about drive-by knifings," said Wintemute.
Guns in California, including private sales, are regulated more heavily than other states. But Wintemute says many Californians go to gun shows in Nevada and Arizona. He says there needs to be more oversight of existing gun laws at gun shows by law enforcement.
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