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| Controversial Gun Dealer Eric Thompson Speaks At Virginia Tech Without Incident |
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| Written by David Grimes | |
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His visit to the Virginia Tech campus was considered by many as being controversial. However, Eric Thompson, the gun dealer who sold firearm merchandise to the gunmen in both the Va. Tech and NIU shootings spoke Thursday night without incident.
Thompson, who is the owner and president of TGSCOM, inc., and operates more than 100 websites that sell firearms and sporting goods online, spoke to a crowd of about 60 people at the invitation of the Virginia Tech Students for Conceal Carry on Campus.
“I was really nervous,” said Thompson. “I didn’t know what to expect tonight.”
Many were expecting protests at last night’s speech. However, none materialized, except for one young lady who attended the meeting wearing a homemade T-shirt that said, “Guns Kill.”
Thompson owns the company that sold Virginia Tech shooter Seung Hui-Cho a Walter P22 firearm that was used in the April 16, 2007, in which 32 people were killed. He also sold Northern Illinois University shooter Steven Kazmierczak two 9mm Glock magazines and a holster, which was used in the Feb. 14, 2008 shootings at NIU that killed five people.
The Wisconsin gun dealer, who holds a federally granted firearms license, explained to the audience as to how his company sells guns.
“You can go online and order from our site. The weapon you choose is then shipped to a federal licensed gun dealer in the buyer’s area. The buyer’s than has to appear in person at the local gun dealer and fill out all of the required paperwork, which is required by their individual state laws.”
Thompson also added that after the shootings, federal officials searched all of his gun records and found that everything was in order as far as Cho and Kazmierczak were concerned.
“I believe that college students and university faculty members who are properly licensed and trained to carry a firearm should be allowed to do show,” added Thompson.
Thompson has agreed to sell his guns at cost for the next two weeks. When asked at the forum whether this was a publicity stunt, Thompson said “no”. In fact, he believes he will lose thousands of dollars on it.
The Virginia Tech Chapter of Students for Conceal Carry on Campus sponsored Thompson’s visit to the campus. The group hired two police officers for the event. However, more than 20 officers were on hand.
Ken Stanton of the Virginia Tech Chapter of Students for Conceal Carry on Campus, said that his group has been in existence for about two months.
Photo: (Top left) Eric Thompson, President and Owner of TGSCOM, spoke on the Virginia Tech campus Thursday night. (Photo by David Grimes)
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Comments (1)
  written by Allan, April 25, 2008
I attended last night's event out of curiousity. I was really surprise that no one showed up to protest or say we don't like you being here.I think Mr. Thompson showed up to take the heat off of him and his company. I'm sure these two shootings have hurt his business and his billfolder as well. Also, thanks for your accurate reporting.
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