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Gun control is a loaded issue around the country. Here in San Francisco, the laws are pretty strict: If you own a gun, you must keep it locked up. You’re not allowed to shoot a gun within city limits, and you can’t buy ammunition for anything other than a sport-related purpose.
In 2009, State Senator Mark Leno tried to make it a little harder to buy guns outside the city with a bill that would have forbidden the sale of firearms on state-owned property. Then-Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger vetoed the legislation, but if it had passed, it would have put an end to the traveling gun shows that make regular visits to the Cow Palace just south of San Francisco.
KALW’s Audrey Dilling recently went to one of these shows and brought back this story.
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Broadcast History
KALW 91.7FM:
July 19, 2011
Transcript
AUDREY DILLING: A ticket to the Crossroads of the West Gun Show costs 10 bucks – but if you’re willing to join the NRA, you can get in for free.
They're eager to get new members today, but not so eager to talk to me once I pull out my microphone.
NRA REPRESENTATIVE: I'm sorry. We don't do media.
That's the basic attitude I get even when I enter the large grey exhibition center.
SUPERVISOR (over radio): Who is she with?
SECURITY GUARD: KALW Public Radio.
SUPERVISOR (over radio): Copy. Let me check.
Why all the concern?
Inside, the Cow Palace looks like any old warehouse, and the gun show like any old flea market … with a couple of exceptions.
The first is the sporadic and disturbing buzz of taser demonstrations. The second is the presence of hundreds upon hundreds of lethal weapons. Okay, I see how this could be misinterpreted.
But hey, it's a gun show right? So of course, the...
Read the full transcript
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