Tulsa Private Gun Seller Fears New Legislation Could Drive Up Costs

The President says as many as 40 percent of all gun purchases are made without a background check. We met up with a private dealer who says he's skeptical the changes will be effective.

Thursday, January 17th 2013, 10:28 pm

By: Tess Maune

Tulsa Private Gun Seller Fears New Legislation Could Drive Up Costs

President Barack Obama's proposals for reducing gun violence are pushing the buttons of millions across the nation.

One of the hot topics surrounding his plan is enforcing universal background checks.

The President says as many as 40 percent of all gun purchases are made without a background check.

We met up with a private dealer who says he's skeptical the changes will be effective.

For Brian Woods, buying and selling guns is a way to bring in a little extra cash.

"That usually takes place at either a gun show or Armslist—you email, text, phone, find a meeting place," Woods said.

So, Brian can sell to whomever he chooses. The law doesn't require him to run a background check, but for his own peace of mind he does ask for documentation, like a license and phone number.

But a stiffer law is in the works.

President Obama wants to get rid of what's been pegged as the "Gun Show Loophole."

If Congress agrees on his proposal, private dealers would have to run a background check through a Federal Firearms Licensed dealer before making a sale.

"I don't have a problem doing it, but I don't think they'll do a bit of good. I really don't. All it's gonna do is upset a lot of people," Woods said.

The law would make it more difficult for some criminals to get their hands on firearms.

Just this month, three men, two of which are felons, were arrested for buying a gun together at a gun show in Oklahoma City.

They would have gotten away with it, but police stopped the men for making an improper right turn as they left the show.

"I'm a law-abiding citizen, I do things by the law," Woods said.

He said some sort of gun control is necessary, but fears enacting universal background checks will only fire up the black market.

"Firearms are like drugs: if you want them, you can find them anywhere," Woods said.

Private dealers say going through a third party will add on to the overall cost of guns, because FFL dealers charge a fee for running background checks.

As of now, there's no set fee, so it could cost the buyer as much as $60 to be screened.