About Us
The National Campaign to Close the Newspaper Loophole is a grassroots movement that asks newspapers to voluntarily restrict firearms advertising to licensed firearms dealers and to not take classified ads for guns from unlicensed sellers.
Under federal law (the Brady Law) licensed firearms dealers are required to conduct criminal background checks on all buyers and maintain records of their transactions. However, unlicensed sellers who sell firearms from a “personal collection” are not required to conduct background checks or keep records.
Thus, firearm sales through the classifieds provide a convenient method for felons, domestic abusers, minors, and other persons prohibited by law from possessing firearms to buy guns without a criminal background check or record of sale.
Since the National Campaign to Close the Newspaper Loophole was launched in November 2001, at least 76 newspapers across the country with a combined daily circulation of 8.1 million have changed their firearms advertising policy.
Iowans for the Prevention of Gun Violence serves as coordinator for the National Campaign to Close the Newspaper Loophole. For questions or additional information about the National Campaign to Close the Newspaper Loophole, email us at IPGV@qwest.net.
Or call or write to:
Iowans for the Prevention of Gun Violence
PO Box 445
Cedar Rapids, IA 52406
Telephone: 319.743.7823