
                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: TUESDAY, February 26, 1991                   TAG: 9102260405
SECTION: EDITORIAL                    PAGE: A-6   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: 
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Short

FLEA-MARKET GUN SALES NEED LICENSE

A COMMON misconception is that Virginia is the easiest place to purchase illegal or legal firearms. This idea has been developed by the liberal anti-gun media and misinforming letters such as the one Feb. 10 by Russell W. Johnson of Vinton.

Mr. Johnson explains how easy it is to purchase firearms at flea markets and gun shows. Persons selling firearms on a regular basis for profit are required to have a federal firearms license. This requires all dealers to record all purchases and sales. Therefore, anyone selling firearms as a business without a license is violating federal law.

This proves that we do not need any more gun-control laws. What we need is better policing of laws we already have.

Mr. Johnson also asks for a new law requiring fingerprinting of prospective gun buyers, modeled after a New Jersey law. In his opinion, this would lower violent crimes committed with guns. I would gladly compare Virginia's per-capita crime rate with New Jersey's any day. JAMES M. FRALIN ROANOKE

by CNB