MAKE CHECKS EASIER AT GUN SHOWS

Gun shows, like the SEMO Gun Show held a couple of weekends ago at the A.C. Brase Arena Building in Cape Girardeau, are the new target of gun-control proponents. The Clinton administration says gun shows are "convenience stores" for individuals who want guns to commit crimes.

Not so, say gun dealers. They already are required to do background checks on gun buyers, and the additional checks for gun shows would all but drive them out of business.

Besides, what makes anyone think gun buyers intent on criminal purposes would suddenly become model citizens just because of a new law?

What the federal government could do is find ways to make background checks easier to perform, particularly on weekends when most gun shows are held. That way the gun dealers could sell more guns to people whom the federal government says are legitimate buyers.