N.Y. AG announces agreements with gun show operators

NEW YORK (Legal Newsline) - New York Attorney General Eric Schneiderman announced new agreements with three more gun show operators on Saturday that will promote uniform gun show operations throughout the state.

The operators signing the agreements included Sons of the American Legion Squadron #531, the Little Valley Volunteer Fire Department Inc. and B&C Sporting LLC of Long Island.

In total, 26 gun show operators responsible for at least 55 gun shows in the state this year will implement the procedures, which make operators conduct legally required background checks on every firearm sale.

Schneiderman announced the new agreements after touring the Rochester Gun Show, one of the largest gun shows in the state. The Empire State Arms Collectors Association, the show's operators, briefed Schneiderman on the implementation of the Model Gun Show Procedures, a set of voluntary agreements that promote uniform operations. The procedures include a rule that makes sure all guns brought into the show by private sellers are tagged, allowing operators to determine if guns were sold and if a proper background check was conducted.

"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."

Schneiderman developed the procedures after looking into gun shows around the state in 2011. Schneiderman's inquiry uncovered frequently occurring private sales without background checks. Schneiderman's office worked together with several gun show operators to develop the voluntary procedures.

The other gun show operators that agreed to adopt Schneiderman's Model Gun Show Procedures include Alabama Hunt Club Inc., 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, 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., TB Auction Hunt Real Estate, York-Penn Shows Inc., Westchester Collectors Inc., West Potsdam Volunteer Fire Company Inc., and Williston Auctions Inc.