PRESS RELEASE

For Immediate Release:
February 4, 2003

Contact: John Johnson, National Campaign to Close the Newspaper Loophole
319-743-7823
johnjohnson@mcleodusa.net

Detroit Newspapers Declare Ceasefire on Classified Handgun Ads

Detroit, MI – Detroit’s two largest daily newspapers, the Detroit Free Press and Detroit News, will no longer accept advertisements for handguns in the classified sections of the newspapers. The newspapers will continue to accept classified ads for long guns – rifles and shotguns.
The Detroit newspapers changed their classified advertising policy following a meeting with the National Campaign to Close the Newspaper Loophole and local Million Mom March chapters last December.

The National Campaign to Close the Newspaper Loophole is a coalition of state gun violence prevention organizations. The campaign is asking newspapers across the country to voluntarily stop taking classified ads for firearms from unlicensed sellers. The campaign is not opposed to newspapers taking classified ads for firearms from federally licensed firearms dealers because licensed dealers are required to conduct criminal background checks on all buyers.

The campaign sent a letter to Heath Meriwether, publisher of the Detroit Free Press, on January 29, 2002. The letter commended the newspaper for changing its policy on classified handgun ads. However, the letter went on to note, “While crime records show that handguns are used more often in gun crimes than rifles and shotguns, we strongly urge the Free Press to adopt a policy of not accepting classified ads for any type of firearm from unlicensed sellers.”

“The issue is not the guns but the process,” said John Johnson, coordinator of the campaign. “Unlike gun sales through licensed firearms dealers, there are no background checks on private gun sales through the classifieds. Thus, classified ads in newspapers from unlicensed sellers provide a convenient method for felons, domestic abusers, the mentally ill, and other persons prohibited by law from possessing firearms to purchase guns without a background check. In an age of increasing concern for public safety, it is difficult to defend a newspaper’s part in the private sale of firearms without a background check of the would-be buyer.”

The Detroit Free Press and Detroit News share a common advertising department operated by Detroit Newspapers Inc., under a joint operating agreement. The editorial operation of each newspaper is separate from Detroit Newspapers.

Following is a summary of classified advertising policy of several Michigan newspapers.

The National Campaign to Close the Newspaper Loophole began approaching newspapers about 14 months ago. Since the campaign began, the following newspapers have changed their classified advertising policy on firearms: the Chicago Tribune, Philadelphia Inquirer, Miami Herald, Sandusky (Ohio) Register, Willoughby (Ohio) News-Herald, Denver Post, Rocky Mountain News, Detroit News, and Detroit Free Press.

The Detroit newspapers policy change occurred just one month after two Denver newspapers, the Denver Post and Rocky Mountain News, announced last December that they would no longer take classified ads for all firearms from unlicensed sellers, but would continue to take ads from licensed firearms dealers in the state of Colorado.

Additional information on the National Campaign to Close the Newspaper Loophole can be found at www.gunloophole.com.

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PRESS RELEASE

December 4, 2002

Contact:
Thom Mannard (312) 341-0939

Illinois Council Against Handgun Violence: Classified Ads for Guns in Newspapers Jeopardizes Public Safety

Under the Brady law, federally licensed gun dealers are required to conduct criminal background checks on all buyers and maintain records of their transactions. However, unlicensed individuals selling firearms from a "personal collection" are not required to conduct background checks or keep records.

Most Americans have heard of the gun show loophole, a loophole in federal law that allows unlicensed sellers to sell guns at gun shows without conducting a criminal background check on the buyer. But gun shows are just one venue for the unregulated sale of firearms by unlicensed sellers without a background check. Other venues include flea markets, estate sales, firearm sales over the Internet, and firearm sales through classified ads in newspapers.

"We call the unregulated sale of firearms through classified ads in newspapers the newspaper loophole," said Thom Mannard, executive director of the Illinois Council Against Handgun Violence. "And like the gun show loophole, the newspaper loophole allows felons, domestic abusers, minors, and other persons in prohibited categories to buy firearms with no criminal background check, no record of sale, no questions asked. This puts Illinoisans at increased risk of gun violence."

To support its claim, the Illinois Council points to a 1999 incident in Illinois and Indiana. In June of 1999, Benjamin Nathaniel Smith, a member of a white supremacist hate group, attempted to purchase two handguns and a shotgun from a federally licensed gun dealer in Peoria Heights, Ill. However, the purchase was denied when a criminal background check revealed that Smith was subject to a court restraining order secured by an ex-girlfriend.

Three days later, Smith purchased two guns - a Bryco .38 caliber handgun and a Ruger .22 caliber handgun - from Donald Fiessinger of Pekin, Ill. Fiessinger advertised the guns sold to Smith in the classified section of the Peoria Journal Star newspaper.¹

Over the following July 4th weekend, Smith went on a shooting spree in Illinois and Indiana that targeted African Americans, Jews, and Asians, killing two and wounding nine others. Killed were Ricky Byrdsong, former Northwestern University basketball coach, and Won-Joon Yoon, a South Korean doctoral student at Indiana University. The spree ended when Smith committed suicide following a police chase after his car was spotted in southern Illinois.

The Illinois Council released a letter it sent to John McConnell, publisher of the Peoria Journal Star, the newspaper that ran the gun ads used by Smith to buy his guns. The letter asked the newspaper to change its classified advertising policy and discontinue taking classified ads for guns from unlicensed sellers. The letter notes that the newspaper still takes classified ads for all guns - rifles, shotguns, and handguns.

Brooke Anderson, gun regulation organizer for the Champaign County Health Care Consumers, said, "We recognize that classified ads for guns are perfectly legal under current federal and Illinois state law. But just because something is legal doesn't mean it is good policy. Especially when that policy jeopardizes public safety."

According to Tim Rollet, classified advertising manager for the Peoria Journal Star, the newspaper reconsidered its classified ad policy after the Smith incident and decided that the ad had nothing to do with the crime. "It was just an unfortunate set of circumstances," according to Rollet.

But according to Anderson, the newspaper's policy of allowing unlicensed sellers to advertise guns in the classified section of the newspaper jeopardized public safety. "The consequences of the newspaper's classified advertising policy were both predictable and inevitable," said Anderson.

John Johnson, executive director of Iowans for the Prevention of Gun Violence, and coordinator for the national campaign, explained that the objective of the campaign is not to criticize newspapers for their current policy, but to explain the concern with the unregulated sale of firearms through classified ads in newspapers. Johnson noted that the Chicago Tribune, Philadelphia Enquirer, Miami Herald, Sandusky (Ohio) Register and Willoughby (Ohio) News Herald changed their classified advertising policies on guns after the newspaper loophole was brought to their attention. "We are confident that other newspapers, like the Chicago Tribune, will reconsider their classified advertising policy in the interest of public safety," said Johnson.

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For Immediate Release:
June 26, 2002

HCAGV: Newspaper Classified Ads Allow Prohibited Purchasers to Buy Firearms Without a Background Check
You’ve heard of the gun show loophole; what about the newspaper loophole?

Contact:
Robin Olds
Hoosiers Concerned About Gun Violence
317-377-0700

Indianapolis, IN – The unregulated sale of firearms through classified ads in newspapers poses a potential threat to Hoosiers according to a report released today by Hoosiers Concerned About Gun Violence (HCAGV). The report, Newspaper Loophole a Potential Threat to Hoosiers, provides the results of a survey of newspaper classified advertising policy of Indiana newspapers.
The survey revealed that 14 out of 18 (78%) of Indiana’s major newspapers accept classified ads for guns from unlicensed sellers. Of the newspapers that accept classified ads for guns, three newspapers stated that they take ads for rifles and shotguns only – no handgun ads, while the other 11 newspapers take ads for all guns – rifles, shotguns, and handguns.

The four Indiana newspapers that don’t accept classified ads for guns from unlicensed sellers are the Huntington Herald Press, The Evening News (Jefferson), the Kokomo Tribune, and the Journal Courier (Lafayette).

Under the Brady law, federally licensed gun dealers are required to conduct criminal background checks on all buyers and maintain records of their transactions. However, unlicensed individuals selling firearms from a “personal collection” are not required to conduct background checks or keep records.

The report notes that most Americans have heard of the gun show loophole that allows unlicensed sellers to sell guns at gun shows without conducting a criminal background check on the buyer. But gun shows are just one venue for the unregulated sale of firearms by unlicensed sellers without criminal background checks. Other venues include flea markets, estate sales, firearm sales over the Internet, and firearm sales through classified ads in newspapers.

“We call the unregulated sale of firearms through classified ads in newspapers the newspaper loophole,” said Robin Olds, executive director of Hoosiers Concerned About Gun Violence. “And like the gun show loophole, the newspaper loophole allows felons, domestic abusers, minors, and other persons in prohibited categories to buy firearms with no criminal background check, no record of sale, no questions asked. This puts Hoosiers at increased risk of gun violence.”

To support its claim, HCAGV points to a 1999 incident in Illinois and Indiana. In June of 1999, Benjamin Nathaniel Smith, a member of a white supremacist hate group, attempted to purchase firearms from a federally licensed gun dealer in Peoria Heights, Illinois. However, the purchase was denied when a criminal background check revealed that Smith was subject to a court restraining order secured by an ex-girlfriend.

Shortly thereafter, Smith purchased two guns – a Bryco .38 caliber handgun and a Ruger .22 caliber handgun – from Donald Fiessinger of Pekin, Illinois. Fiessinger advertised the guns sold to Smith in the classified section of the Peoria Journal Star newspaper.

Over the following July 4th weekend, Smith went on a shooting spree in Illinois and Indiana that targeted African Americans, Jews, and Asians, killing two and wounding nine others. Killed were Ricky Byrdsong, former Northwestern University basketball coach, and Won Joon Yoon, a South Korean doctoral student at Indiana University. The spree ended when Smith committed suicide following a police chase after his car was spotted in southern Illinois.

HCAGV released a letter it sent to Barbara Henry, publisher of the Indianapolis Star. The letter asked the newspaper to change its classified advertising policy to no longer take classified ads for guns. The Indianapolis Star currently takes classified ads for all guns – rifles, shotguns, handguns, and military style assault weapons.

“We would like to commend those Indiana newspapers that have already taken responsible action to prevent prohibited purchasers from being able to buy guns through classified ads in newspapers,” said Kathleen George, president of HCAGV. “We hope that more Indiana newspapers will follow their example as an exercise of civic responsibility.”

“This country needs to do more to prevent prohibited purchasers from gaining access to guns,” added Lori Lovett, education director of the Indiana Partnership to Prevent Gun Violence. “Because of inaction by Congress and the Indiana legislature, we need to look at non-legislative initiatives to reduce gun violence. Closing the newspaper loophole is one such initiative.”
The survey of Indiana newspapers was conducted by HCAGV as part of a national campaign to close the newspaper loophole – a project by 24 state and grassroots gun violence prevention organizations working in 16 states. Of a total of 282 newspapers contacted in the 16 states, 217 newspapers (77%) responded that they accept classified ads for guns. Sixty-five newspapers (23%) responded that they do not take classified ads for guns.

John Johnson, executive director of Iowans for the Prevention of Gun Violence, and coordinator for the national campaign, explained that the objective of the campaign is not to criticize newspapers for their current policy, but to explain the concern with the unregulated sale of firearms through classified ads in newspapers. Johnson noted that the Chicago Tribune, Philadelphia Enquirer, Miami Herald, Sandusky (Ohio) Register and Willoughby (Ohio) News Herald changed their classified advertising policies on guns after the newspaper loophole was brought to their attention. “We are confident that other newspapers, like the Chicago Tribune, will reconsider their classified advertising policy in the interest of public safety,” said Johnson.

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For Immediate Release:
April 1, 2002

Newspaper Classified Ads Allow Prohibited Purchasers to Buy Firearms Without a Background Check
You’ve heard of the gun show loophole; what about the newspaper loophole?

Contact:
John Johnson
Iowans for the Prevention of Gun Violence
319-743-7823

Cedar Rapids, IA – The unregulated sale of firearms through classified ads in newspapers poses a potential threat to Iowans according to a report released today by Iowans for the Prevention of Gun Violence (IPGV). The report, Newspaper Loophole a Potential Threat to Iowans, provides the results of a survey of newspaper classified advertising policy of Iowa newspapers. The survey revealed that 20 out of 23 (87%) of Iowa newspapers with daily circulation greater than 5,000 accept classified ads for guns from unlicensed sellers. Of the newspapers that accept classified ads for guns, six newspapers stated that they take ads for rifles and shotguns only, while the other 14 newspapers take ads for all guns – rifles, shotguns, and handguns.

The three Iowa newspapers that don’t accept classified ads for guns from unlicensed sellers are the Clinton Herald, The Daily Iowan (Iowa City), and the Quad City Times (Davenport). The Clinton Herald adopted its no gun ad policy following the school shootings at Columbine High School in 1999. The Quad City Times accepts classified ads for guns from federally licensed gun dealers only. They do not take ads from unlicensed sellers.

Under the Brady law, federally licensed gun dealers are required to conduct criminal background checks on all buyers and maintain records of their transactions. However, unlicensed individuals selling firearms from a “personal collection” are not required to conduct background checks or keep records.

The report notes that most Americans have heard of the “gun show loophole” that allows unlicensed sellers to sell guns at gun shows without conducting a criminal background check on the buyer. But gun shows are just one venue for the unregulated sale of firearms by unlicensed sellers without criminal background checks. Other venues include flea markets, estate sales, firearm sales over the Internet, and firearm sales through classified ads in newspapers.

We call the unregulated sale of firearms through classified ads in newspapers the “newspaper loophole,” said John Johnson, executive director of Iowans for the Prevention of Gun Violence. “And like the gun show loophole, the newspaper loophole allows felons, domestic abusers, minors, terrorists and other persons in prohibited categories to buy firearms with no criminal background check, no record of sale, no questions asked. This puts Iowans at increased of gun violence.”
To support its claim, IPGV points to a 1999 incident in Illinois and Indiana. In June of 1999, Benjamin Nathaniel Smith, a member of a white supremacist hate group, attempted to purchase firearms from a federally licensed gun dealer in Peoria Heights, Illinois. However, the purchase was denied when a criminal background check revealed that Smith was subject to a court restraining order secured by an ex-girlfriend.

Shortly thereafter, Smith purchased two guns (a Bryco .38 caliber handgun and a Ruger .22 caliber handgun) from Donald Fiessinger of Pekin, Illinois. Fiessinger advertised the guns sold to Smith in the classified section of the Peoria Journal Star newspaper.

Over the following July 4th weekend, Smith went on a shooting spree in Illinois and Indiana that targeted African Americans, Jews, and Asians, killing two and wounding nine others. Killed were Ricky Byrdsong, former Northwestern University basketball coach, and Won Joon Yoon, a South Korean doctoral student at Indiana University. The spree ended when Smith committed suicide following a police chase after his car was spotted in southern Illinois.

IPGV recently sent letters to Iowa newspapers that currently take classified ads for guns from unlicensed sellers. The letter asked newspapers to voluntarily stop taking classified ads for guns from unlicensed sellers. The letter noted that the Chicago Tribune and Philadelphia Enquirer recently changed their classified advertising policy stop taking classified ads for guns after the newspaper loophole was brought to their attention.

“We would like to commend those Iowa newspapers that have taken responsible action to prevent prohibited purchasers from being able to buy guns through classified ads in newspapers,” said Kirsten Meredith, communications coordinator of IPGV. “We hope that more Iowa newspapers will follow their example as an exercise of civic responsibility.”

“This country needs to do more to prevent prohibited purchasers from gaining access to guns,” said Johnson. “Because of inaction by Congress and the Iowa General Assembly, we need to look at non-legislative initiatives. Closing the newspaper loophole is one such initiative.”

The survey of Iowa newspapers was conducted by IPGV as part of a national campaign to close the newspaper loophole – a project by 24 state and grassroots gun violence prevention organizations working in 16 states. Of a total of 282 newspapers contacted in the 16 states, 217 newspapers (77%) responded that they accept classified ads for guns. Sixty-five newspapers (23%) responded that they do not take classified ads for guns.

IPGV’s executive director, John Johnson, spokesperson for the national campaign, explained that the objective of the campaign is not to criticize newspapers for their current policy, but to explain the concern with the unregulated sale of firearms through classified ads in newspapers. “We are confident that other newspapers, like the Chicago Tribune and Philadelphia Enquirer will reconsider their classified ads policy in the interest of public safety,” said Johnson.

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For Immediate Release:
February 21, 2002

Study Reveals Potential Terrorist Threat: More Than 75 Percent of Surveyed U.S. Newspapers Allow Unchecked Gun Sales Through Classified Ads

Contact:
John Johnson
Iowans for the Prevention of Gun Violence
319-743-7823

Washington, DC – Unchecked gun sales through classified ads in U.S. newspapers pose a terrorist threat, according to a study released by the National Campaign to Close the Newspaper Classified Gun Ad Loophole. More than 75% of surveyed newspapers in 16 states allow unchecked gun sales through classified ads.

As part of the national effort to prevent potential terrorist acts, the National Campaign to Close the Newspaper Classified Gun Ad Loophole is calling on newspapers to stop allowing the sales of guns through classified ads.

The Campaign also released a letter to Homeland Security Director Tom Ridge and Attorney General John Ashcroft urging them to take action to close the newspaper classified gun ad loophole, either through regulatory powers available to them in their efforts to fight terrorism or through the use of their “bully pulpits” to urge newspapers to discontinue the practice of allowing the sale of guns through classified ads. The National Campaign to Close the Newspaper Classified Gun Ad Loophole recommended that this is a patriotic contribution that newspapers can make to the war on terrorism.

“Sales of guns through newspaper classifieds offer the anonymity and ability to avoid law enforcement checks, which make them a potential source of guns for terrorists,” said John Johnson, Executive Director of Iowans for the Prevention of Gun Violence, which founded the coalition of 24 state and grassroots gun violence prevention groups.

Two major U.S. newspapers, the Philadelphia Inquirer and the Chicago Tribune have already changed their policies in response to the Campaign to no longer accept gun ads for either handguns or rifles and shotguns. The Sandusky Register in Ohio changed its classified advertising policy to only accept classified ads for rifles and shotguns, and will no longer accept ads for handguns.

The National Campaign is not calling for the end of newspaper display ads for licensed retail gun dealers because background checks are required at the time of sales.

One revealing example of why the newspaper loophole needs to be closed is the case of Ben Smith, a white supremacist from Peoria, Illinois. Smith attempted to purchase handguns from a gun dealer, but was prevented from doing so because he underwent a criminal background check. Smith, however, took advantage of the “newspaper gun ad loophole” and bought two handguns from a local paper, the Peoria Journal Star: a Bryco .38 and a Ruger 22. Over the July 4th, 1999, weekend, Smith went on a shooting spree in Illinois and Indiana killing two and wounding nine others before committing suicide.

“Ben Smith is a chilling example of how easy it is to obtain a gun simply by taking advantage of the newspaper classified gun ad loophole and reigning terror on a community,” said Thom Mannard, Executive Director of the Illinois Council Against Handgun Violence.

“People blame the media for violence, which may or may not be true,” said Ona Hamilton, President of the Pennsylvania Million Mom March. “However, the newspaper classified gun ad loophole is an example of newspapers potentially providing a direct connection to violence by making it easy for overseas or domestic terrorists to get guns.”

“A potential terrorist or criminal can purchase virtually any type of firearm he wants from the classifieds of many papers, including assault rifles in some cases, and still avoid going through a background checks in most states,” said Bryan Miller, Executive Director of Ceasefire New Jersey.

Results of Survey

A total of 282 newspapers were surveyed in 16 states by 24 state and grass roots organizations working to prevent gun violence. 77% of newspapers surveyed accepted classified ads for guns. In Texas, Michigan, Virginia, and Delaware, all of the newspapers surveyed accepted gun ads.

46% of newspapers surveyed did not accept classified ads for handguns. “We consider 46% of newspapers refusing to accept classified ads for handguns significant,” said John Johnson. “Handguns account for 80% of all firearm- related deaths and injuries and 90% of all gun crimes. Clearly newspapers are aware of America’s handgun problem if almost half of the newspapers surveyed won’t accept classified ads for handguns,” continued Johnson.

The Campaign displayed the wide-ranging weaponry found in classified ads with enlargements of ads for assault rifles, including an AK47 and an AR 15. The ads that Ben Smith found in the Peoria Journal Star were also on display.

Jennifer Beazley, Executive Director of Texans for Gun Safety commented: “There is a hole in the law as big as Texas, and terrorists and criminals can walk right through it to buy their guns.”

Several newspapers have taken courageous steps towards limiting a potential terrorist threat, domestic or foreign, by voluntarily choosing to not accept classified gun ads. “We hope more newspapers follow suit and close the newspaper gun ad loophole,” said Toby Hoover, Executive Director of the Ohio Coalition Against Gun Violence.

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PRESS RELEASE

For Immediate Release:
November 1, 2001

Newspaper Classified Ads Allow Prohibited Purchasers to Buy Firearms Without a Background Check
Gun Violence Prevention Groups in Midwest Announce National Campaign to Close the Newspaper Loophole

Contact:
Thom Mannard
Illinois Council Against Handgun Violence
312-341-0939

Chicago, IL – Gun violence prevention groups, including the Illinois Council Against Handgun Violence, released a survey of major newspapers across the U.S. that detailed newspapers that accept gun advertisements in the classified ads section. Two-thirds of the newspapers surveyed accept classified ads for guns and over a third accepted ads for handguns.

The Illinois Council Against Handgun Violence also surveyed Chicago and Illinois newspapers and found that Chicago’s two largest circulation newspapers do not accept gun ads. Outside of Chicago, however, the top eight newspapers by circulation accepted gun ads, and all but one accepted handgun ads in the classifieds.

The “newspaper loophole” allows individuals to sell guns from their ‘personal collection” without a federal license – and buyers to purchase a gun without a background check being conducted in the NICS (National Instant Criminal Background Check System). The loophole falls into the unregulated category of secondary firearm sales, such as the “gun show loophole” in which secondary gun transactions are not regulated. Because a “personal or private collection” is not clearly defined legally, law enforcement officials confront obstacles in prosecuting offenders.
“In most states, buying a gun from the classifieds means that if you’ve got the cash, no questions asked,” said john Johnson of Iowans for the Prevention of Gun Violence who is spearheading the national campaign to close the newspaper loophole. “Whether you’re buying or selling a gun from a classified ad in the newspaper, or a gun show, or from someone’s ‘kitchen table’, there is no way to determine whether that secondary gun transaction is legal.”

“We are not pushing legislation; we are simply asking newspapers to review and reconsider their policy if they accept gun ads in the classified section,” said Thom Mannard, Executive Director of the Illinois Council Against Handgun Violence. “Newspapers have an opportunity to make a significant impact in curbing unregulated secondary gun sales simply by not accepting gun ads in their papers. Newspapers can help us close the newspaper loophole by showing a sense of civic responsibility.”

A significant number of newspapers have editorialized about closing the gun show loophole, but still allow gun ads in their classifieds section. The Houston Chronicle, Denver Post, and Des Moines Register have all editorialized about closing the gun show loophole but still allow gun advertisements in their classified ad sections.

“We believe that some newspapers are simply not aware of the inconsistency in policy between the editorial section of the newspaper and the classified advertising section,” said Ben Haley of the Michigan Partnership to Prevent Gun Violence.

The 16 state gun violence prevention groups announcing the campaign will work with newspapers in their states and contact newspapers and urge them to consider changing their classified advertising policy in the interest of public safety.

The campaign has already demonstrated success; both the Philadelphia Inquirer and the Chicago Tribune have changed their classified advertising policy to no longer accept any gun ads.
The newspaper loophole poses a threat to public safety, exemplified by the shooting spree of white supremacist in Illinois, Benjamin Smith, who obtained two handguns from gun ads in the classified section of a local newspaper. In June of 1999, Smith attempted to purchase several guns from a federally licensed gun dealer in Peoria Heights, Illinois. A background check denied Smith his purchase since he was under a court restraining order obtained by an ex-girlfriend. Smith found a way around a background check and purchased two handguns he found in gun ads in a local newspaper placed by a man reselling guns through the secondary market. Donald Fiessinger sold 65 cheap handguns he purchased from a gun store and resold them by placing ads in a local newspaper over a two-year period from 1997-1999. Fiessinger sold a Ruger .22 caliber handgun and a Bryco .38 caliber handgun to Smith on June 26, 1999.

Over the July 4th weekend, Smith went on a killing spree in Illinois and Indiana that targeted Blacks, Jews, and Asians. Smith killed two individuals, former Northwestern University basketball coach, Ricky Byrdsong, and Won-Joon Yoon, a South Korean doctoral student at Indiana University. He wounded nine others. Byrdsong was shot while walking through his neighborhood in Skokie, Illinois, with his children. The spree ended when Smith committed suicide following a police chase in southern Illinois.

“It is absolutely imperative that we close the newspaper loophole and continue to work on eventually closing all of our nation’s lax gun laws to stop unregulated secondary gun sales,” said John Johnson of IPGV. “Our newspapers can help us accomplish that faster than any legislation could. We hope that they do the right thing, even though it will mean some loss in revenue for them.

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