In a June, 2003 letter to a TGDA dealer member, Chris Cox, Executive Director of the Institute for Legislative Action of the National Rifle Association, laid out NRA's position concerning gun shows and legal private sales. In his letter, Mr. Cox stated that the "NRA makes an important distinction between legal sales - which happen between both licensed dealers and individuals at gun shows, and illegal gun dealing no matter what the venue."

"NRA strongly condemns any who may use gun shows in an effort to skirt the firearms laws," said Cox. "Those who engage in illegal practices must be prosecuted, or those collectors and private individuals who do follow the law will face harassment and unfair regulation or may lose the gun show forum altogether, as some states have contemplated."

Cox also attempted to clarify the national association's position concerning non-licensed individuals selling at gun shows. "Congress has recognized that individuals need the ability to buy or sell a firearm, such as an inherited piece if they want, and as long as it is an occasional act and doesn’t rise to the level of dealing in firearms," said Cox. He referred to federal statutes that define a dealer in firearms as a person who devotes time, attention, and labor to dealing in firearms as a regular course of trade or business with the principal objective of livelihood and profit through the repetitive purchase and resale of firearms.

However, Cox was quick to defend an individuals right to sell firearms. "Congress has recognized that individuals need the ability to buy or sell a firearm, such as an inherited piece if they want, and as long as it is an occasional act and doesn’t rise to the level of dealing in firearms, " he said. "For collectors, the chance to display their unusual firearms, and to buy and sell such pieces to enhance their collection, as Federal law allows, is an important right. He also made it clear the federal statutes apply to licensed dealers regardless of the forum. "We believe that federally licensed firearms dealers must continue to have the business opportunity to make sales at gun shows, where, of course, they must follow the exact same laws they would if they were selling from their licensed premises," he said.

He concluded his letter by stating, "The National Rifle Association, in our long history, is consistent - punish the actions of those who break the law and do not penalize the law-abiding with additional restrictions or restraints.