TACOMA, Wash. — For the first time in more than 20 years, the Tacoma Dome is hosting a gun show.
Unlike the ones run by Washington Arms Collectors, this show does not require private sellers to do background checks on their buyers.
"No one here has any interest in selling to someone that shouldn't have a gun," Brian Schilt said.
Schilt was a private seller until about a year ago, when he got his federal firearms license. Federally licensed sellers are required to do full background checks through the National Instant Criminal Background Check System.
He believes private sellers should have the ability to check a buyer's background but shouldn't be required.
KIRO 7 asked him how he knew he wasn't selling to a criminal while he was a private seller.
"That can happen in any situation and I'm sure it has happened at gun shows," he said. "However, I don't believe that's typically where criminals go to buy guns... there are a lot of police, law enforcement, and other types here."
Gun show owner Wes Knodel has taken some heat from the city for his policy, including from Mayor Marilyn Strickland.
"It's perfectly legal," he pointed out. "Right now, there is no provision for private sellers to do background checks."
Knodel has private sellers use a form in which a buyer promises he's not a convicted felon or mentally incompetent.
Some private sellers, who didn't want to appear on camera, showed KIRO 7 their own in-depth forms, complete with background questions, that they require buyers to fill out.
But attendee Win Maynard said he was allowed to walk in and sell his gun and did not receive Knodel's form.
He said he has his own rules.
"I personally won't sell a gun to anyone who doesn't have a carry-conceal permit in Washington state," he said. "That way, I can rest easy at night knowing that the gun I've sold is going to somebody who should have it."
Knodel said he's agreed to work with Mayor Strickland and Tacoma Dome officials to review the event before they decide whether he's allowed to schedule any other gun shows at the Tacoma Dome.
KIRO
