A Chicago Congressman exposes how "easy" Indiana Gun Shows are [View all]

A week or so old, but still interesting, considering the lies told about the "Gun Show Loophole" in Indiana.

The narrative goes something like this; "Well, Chicago has so much violence because its easy to buy a gun at any Indiana Gun Show with no background check". So Rep. Mikey Quigley went over with some of his staff to prove how "easy" it was and wrote this "sort of " Op Ed about his terrifying experiences and what he discovered.

"Rep. Quigley goes to a gun show

"Gun to the right. No gun to the left" was the greeting heard by attendees entering the cavernous hall in Crown Point, Ind., that hosted the Central Indiana Gun and Knife Show. The Industrial Arts Building on the Lake County Fairgrounds has played host to garden shows and home improvement and craft vendors. But on a recent sunny Sunday afternoon, the rambling, 90-year-old brick building played host to products that were of an altogether different nature. (Cue ominous music here)

As we entered, gun show visitors carrying weapons had to demonstrate to security that their guns were not loaded, while those not carrying could enter without screening. As we paid our $5 entry, we were asked if we resided in Indiana. Being an Illinois resident, I promptly answered "no" and received a hand stamp depicting me as out-of-state. (But, but, but I thought no one checked that? FWIW, if he had said Indiana they would have asked to see his picture ID)

At most tables, you could hear the hagglers looking for a better deal or discussing options for their purchase: "Rifle- or carbine-length?" "Chrome-lined or stainless-steel barrel?" "What about a free-float rail?" The possibilities seemed endless as gun show enthusiasts — including a healthy number from Illinois, judging by the license plates in the parking lot — wandered among dozens of tables offering everything from high-volume magazines and sophisticated scope systems to attachable bipods and customized stocks. (But Mikey, did those Illinois people buy any guns, or just venison jerky?)

A surreal atmosphere within the midst of recent tragedies made me wonder if those at the show were oblivious or all too aware. The gun show returns in September to Crown Point, but given the number of weapons already on the streets of Chicago, I think I'll wait for the next home improvement show before making a return trip." (Well one thing's for sure, none of those gun on your streets came from that gun show did they Mikey?)

http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/opinion/commentary/ct-mike-quigley-indiana-gun-show-perspec-0714-jm-20160713-story.html

For all his whining, Rep. Quigley and his team were not able to buy anything beyond a hot dog, a T-Shirt o an NRA Membership, but I'm guessing they passed on all that. Soooo, I'm not sure what his point was supposed to be, since according to the Illinois State Police the vast majority of crime guns in Chicago come from Illinois and were originally purchased over 6 years ago.

I could be wrong, but I'm thinking this editorial was originally supposed to be an "expose" that didn't happen, but he had already promised the Tribune a story by a deadline. So he drafted this pointless drivel. But, now he knows all about those dangerous "Free Float Rails, that replaced "that shoulder thing that goes up".

The funniest part of his whole editorial is how surprised and shocked he sounds to see guns and gun related stuff ... at a gun show!