Is it easy to purchase a gun at a gun show without doing little more than paying for it? CNN went undercover at five gun shows in three states to find out.
While background checks are not mandatory for private sales, the seller is required to check the buyer's ID to verify the person is from that state.
The producer who visited Tennessee, South Carolina and Georgia was able to walk away with several weapons without having to prove residency or give any personal information – but not in every interaction with a seller.
Tune in at 8 and 10 p.m. ET to see the investigation. Following the report, Anderson Cooper will ask National Rifle Association President David Keene why he opposes universal background checks that proponents say could prevent criminals from obtaining guns.
Here's the statement the NRA released today:
Expanding background checks at gun shows will not prevent the next shooting, will not solve violent crime and will not keep our kids safe in schools. While the overwhelming rejection of President Obama and Mayor Bloomberg's "universal" background check agenda is a positive development, we have a broken mental health system that is not going to be fixed with more background checks at gun shows. The sad truth is that no background check would have prevented the tragedies in Newtown, Aurora or Tucson. We need a serious and meaningful solution that addresses crime in cities like Chicago, addresses mental health deficiencies, while at the same time protecting the rights of those of us who are not a danger to anyone. President Obama should be as committed to dealing with the gang problem that is tormenting honest people in his hometown as he is to blaming law-abiding gun owners for the acts of psychopathic murderers.
A new CNN/ORC International poll shows nearly nine in ten Americans support tougher background checks. 86% of those questioned in the survey say they support some form of background checks that are not currently required by law for gun sales. The most popular is the gun show proposal, which 83% of all Americans support.
Where do you stand on the issue? Should background checks be required for gun shows? Sales between friends and family members? Watch tonight's program and tweet your reaction @AC360.
UPDATE Watch tonight's report: