Many believe that unregulated, haphazard firearm sales are occurring by the millions, utilizing the so-called “gun show loophole.” Based on my experiences, I do not believe this is the case.
While private sales do occur, I believe most are conducted in a thoughtful, reasonable manner. In every private transaction to which I have been a party, the buyer produced a valid concealed pistol license and identification.
Just because a transaction does not include a national instant criminal background check does not mean people are circumventing responsibility.
For other private transactions, I propose changing the existing law (RCW 9.41.080), which makes it illegal to deliver a firearm to someone who you know or have reasonable cause to believe is ineligible to possess a firearm, to make it illegal to transfer a firearm to someone ineligible to possess a firearm and would not pass a NICS check if conducted at the time of transfer.