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Chicago Tribune: Rep. Quigley goes to a gun show

July 13, 2016
Editorials

The following article was published by the Chicago Tribune on July 13, 2016. A link to the article can be found here.

By Rep. Mike Quigley

"Gun to the right. No gun to the left" was the greeting heard by attendees entering the cavernous hall in Crown Point, Ind., that hosted the Central Indiana Gun and Knife Show. The Industrial Arts Building on the Lake County Fairgrounds has played host to garden shows and home improvement and craft vendors. But on a recent sunny Sunday afternoon, the rambling, 90-year-old brick building played host to products that were of an altogether different nature.

As we entered, gun show visitors carrying weapons had to demonstrate to security that their guns were not loaded, while those not carrying could enter without screening. As we paid our $5 entry, we were asked if we resided in Indiana. Being an Illinois resident, I promptly answered "no" and received a hand stamp depicting me as out-of-state.

At first glance, I saw kids hanging around vendors, munching on hot dogs. There were T-shirts for sale, one saying "I have a dream" and depicting Hillary Clinton behind jail bars. There were several hundred people in attendance by noon, mostly white, middle-aged men, but quite a few women as well.

At most tables, you could hear the hagglers looking for a better deal or discussing options for their purchase: "Rifle- or carbine-length?" "Chrome-lined or stainless-steel barrel?" "What about a free-float rail?"

The possibilities seemed endless as gun show enthusiasts — including a healthy number from Illinois, judging by the license plates in the parking lot — wandered among dozens of tables offering everything from high-volume magazines and sophisticated scope systems to attachable bipods and customized stocks. Prices for assault weapons typically ranged from $600 to $2,500, including a bipod and two drum magazines, each capable of holding 100 rounds.

"It depends on the bells and whistles — and the markup," one dealer said, explaining the wide variation in pricing.

Not every weapon was particularly pricey: One vendor, eager to reduce inventory, marked down one of his assault rifles to under $400. There were tables upon tables of handguns for sale, and even a folding, single-shot .22-caliber rifle — small enough to fit in a backpack — for under $200. Still other vendors offered to help customize your purchase on the spot. You could choose from dozens of barrel lengths and styles to go with your choice in stocks and other components.

There was plenty of ammo to go with any weapon you might purchase. Depending on the caliber and ammunition type, prices started as low as $10 for a box of 50. Boxes of ammunition with similar numbers of rounds for many assault rifles cost as little as $20. Another dealer offered high-capacity 50-round magazines for a gun show special of one for $20 or three for $55.

There was a lot geared toward women as well with pink single-shot rifles, body armor tailored for females, and purses designed for concealed carry. Even local charities got in on the scene, with an AR-15 being auctioned off to benefit the Marine Corps League. To be included? All you had to do was buy a $1 raffle ticket and give your first name and phone number.

A surreal atmosphere within the midst of recent tragedies made me wonder if those at the show were oblivious or all too aware. The gun show returns in September to Crown Point, but given the number of weapons already on the streets of Chicago, I think I'll wait for the next home improvement show before making a return trip.

Rep. Mike Quigley, a Democrat, represents the 5th Congressional District of Illinois.

Issues:Gun Violence Prevention