Obama gun control 2013: Gun show expected to draw huge crowds in wake of gun control debate

PHOENIX - Some 20,000 people are expected to attend this weekend's gun show at the Arizona State Fairgrounds.

The Crossroads of West is the nation's largest promoter of gun shows promoting 60 gun shows every year in Arizona, Utah, California and Nevada. 

Owner Bob Templeton tells ABC15 that interest this year is especially high, because gun owners feel like their rights are being infringed upon.

"This is about the 2nd Amendment and a venue for the 1st Amendment to assemble and share our like interests," he said.

Gun control advocates and the Obama Administration are taking aim at gun shows to strengthen gun laws.

One Obama proposal is to require background checks on all gun show sales, including private sales closing a loop hole that some believe can put guns in felons hands.

"This show is monitored carefully by ATF and we have local law enforcement and probation and parole officers," said Templeton. "I don't know if we can do a better job at monitoring that than we are."

He said that the percentage of gun crime traced back to gun show sales is so low, that it doesn't merit the hassle and expense that would go along with forcing background checks in the private sales.

He also said that while most of the dealers at the shows are licensed; he does not keep stats on the number of private sales taking place.

The Crossroads of the West Gun Show runs Saturday and Sunday at the State Fairgrounds.