John McCain in Television Advertisement to Close the Gun Show Loophole - Americans for Gun Safety

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	"I'm John McCain with some straight talk. Convicted felons have been able to buy and sell thousands of guns at gun shows because of a loophole in the law. Many were later used in crimes. That's wrong. Here in Colorado, Amendment 22 will close this dangerous loophole by requiring criminal background checks by unlicensed dealers at gun shows. I believe law-abiding citizens have the right to own guns. But with rights come responsibilities. Close the loophole. Vote Yes on Amendment 22."
	—Senator John McCain

John McCain Urges Voters to Close the "Gun Show Loophole"

U.S. Senator John McCain (R-Arizona) is featured in two television spots in support of Colorado and Oregon ballot initiatives to close the "Gun Show Loophole."

The thirty-second ads, appearing in both states, are the first spots in a $1 million campaign sponsored by Americans for Gun Safety (AGS), a new non-partisan group that is supporting the two citizen-led referendums.

Currently, Colorado and Oregon laws allow unlicensed dealers to sell firearms at gun shows without performing the criminal background checks that are required for all sales by federally licensed dealers.

The ballot initiatives (Amendment 22 in Colorado and Measure 5 in Oregon) would mandate the same criminal background checks by unlicensed dealers at gun shows. Guns used in the Columbine shooting and the Granada Hills shooting were purchased from unlicensed dealers at gun shows—without background checks.

"Despite the tragic lessons we have learned, it is still far too easy for a convicted felon to buy firearms at a gun show. That is wrong," said Senator McCain in a recent press release. "This is not about what's conservative and what's liberal, what's Republican and what's Democrat. It's about what's right and what's wrong. And quite simply, closing this loophole is the right thing to do."

"I believe law-abiding citizens have the right to own guns, and I have steadfastly fought for those rights for many years. But with rights come responsibilities. I strongly support the Colorado and Oregon ballot initiatives that help close this dangerous loophole," said the Senator.

"These ballot initiatives have made Colorado and Oregon 'ground zero' for the gun safety debate," said AGS President Jonathan Cowan. "Americans for Gun Safety is pleased to join with a true American hero, Senator McCain, and the people of Colorado and Oregon in supporting these common-sense solutions that will help keep guns out of the hands of kids and criminals."

press release for this ad

other ags television ads

Safer gun shows
Of the five states that host the most gun shows, three states—Pennsylvania, Illinois, and California—have made them safer by closing the gun show loophole. more

The gun show loophole
What you should know about this dangerous loophole in our laws.

Two-minute checks
95% of all background checks are completed within two hours and most are completed within two minutes. more

Voters approve
historic ballot initiatives in Colorado and Oregon to close the gun show loophole.

Close the loophole
Americans for Gun Safety launches national television campaign demanding that Washington Stop Playing Politics with Guns and close the gun show loophole.

Oregon Sheriff
Dan Noelle: "As a cop, it is tough enough to lay your life on the line without it being easy for criminals to get guns."

Denver Safety Chief
Ari Zavaras: "Convicted felons buy guns at gun shows because of the loophole in our laws."