Protestors Want Pasco's Gun Show Loophole Shut Down

Pasco County’s “gun show loophole” is still open, and there are still people unhappy about that. 

A small group of folks bearing signs with messages like “Close the Gun Show Loophole” and “Country Commissioners—We want Background Checks” showed up outside the County Commission chambers in New Port Richey Tuesday, May 21.

Florida law requires licensed gun dealers to conduct background checks, but counties are allowed to craft gun show regulations. Currently folks can purchase firearm at a gun show in Pasco without a background check.

Commissioners were going to have a public hearing at which residents could weigh in on a proposal to tighten the regulation of gun show sales. But they chose in March not to do so after hearing the counsel of a county attorney, who said other counties faced litigation centered on their gun show regulation. 

“I want (officials) to have a public hearing on the issue of closing the gun show loophole," said John Ford, who said the protest was organized by a Pasco County Democrat organization. “Closing the gun show loophole is not infringing anybody’s second amendment rights.”

Want to hear more of what John Ford has to say? Watch our video. 

What do you think should be done about the gun show loophole, Land O' Lakes?  Tell us by commenting below!