Governor will not support more restrictions on gun shows

Byline: CHET BROKAW, Associated Press  (SD)  November 22, 2001

     PIERRE, S.D. (AP) - Gov. Bill Janklow does not support a gun - control group's call for a

 change in South Dakota's law to place more restrictions on purchases at gun shows.

     "Frankly, I've been around this state a long time, and I don't have any problems with gun

 shows or the people who are buying guns at gun shows," Janklow said. "The regulations and

 controls that we have now are more than adequate."

     Americans for Gun Control recently asked Janklow and 36 other governors to close a

 so-called loophole that lets people evade background checks if they buy guns from unlicensed

 sellers at gun shows.

     When federally licensed dealers sell at gun shows, they must get the same background

 checks on buyers that they get for sales at their shops. Unlicensed sellers at those shows do not

 have to do the background check.

     When licensed dealers make a sale, they call the National Instant Check System and provide

 information on the buyer. Officials give instant approval or denial in most cases, but they also can

 delay a sale for up to three days to conduct a further review.

     In a letter to the governors, Americans for Gun Safety President Jonathan Cowan said the

 gun -show loophole should be closed to prevent terrorists from buying weapons at the shows. He

 said 11 major gun shows were scheduled in South Dakota this year.

     "Governors can - and must - protect America's gun shows from terrorists by simply requiring

 background checks for all gun sales," Cowan said.

     Cowan's letter said a Lebanese member of a terrorist group and members of the Irish

 Republican Army have been caught after buying guns at gun shows. A Pakistani man also was

 convicted on weapons charges after buying at gun shows, he said.

     The letter asks Janklow to promote a change in South Dakota law and ask the state's

 congressional delegation to support federal legislation on the gun -show issue.

     Janklow said criminals in South Dakota do not get guns at shows. Those who use guns to

 commit crimes steal them, buy them illegally or use the guns they have owned for a long time, he

 said.

     The governor said he defended 30 people and prosecuted many more who were charged with

 murder or manslaughter during his career as a lawyer. "I don't recall ever being involved with a

 defense or prosecution with anybody who bought their gun in a gun show."

     The National Rifle Association has said studies show that only 2-3 percent of guns used by

 criminals come from gun shows, and many of those were purchased by legal buyers acting as

 surrogates for criminals.

     The NRA has said that requiring background checks for sales by unlicensed sellers at gun

 shows might make sense if the instant background check worked as well as it should or if there

 were evidence that it would reduce crime. Such a requirement would be a step toward banning

 private firearms sales between individuals, the NRA argues.

     Many of the unlicensed vendors at gun shows are not selling guns but rather are selling

 books, clothing, knives and other accessories, the NRA has said.

     Janklow said he believes strongly in the Second Amendment, which guarantees Americans'

 right to bear arms.

     The governor said since the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks, people have suggested that the state

 sponsor training for people who want to learn how to handle guns "because in today's world, you

 never know when you hay have to use one to protect yourself and your family."

     Janklow said he does not support any further restrictions on firearm ownership.

     "I've always been a believer that people that use guns to commit crimes ought to have

 mandatory prison sentences. That's where it all starts," Janklow said.

     "I'm a guy who buys the theory that guns don't commit crimes, people do," the governor said.