This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2012, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.

In light of the recent events in Newtown, Conn., not to mention the other mass shootings within just the past year, I'm concerned about how appropriate it is that the taxpayers of Salt Lake County host the Crossroads of the West Gun Show in the publicly owned Southtowne Expo Center in Sandy.

This event is a recurring one, which has been held over the last several years at Southtowne and previously at the Salt Palace. While "traditional" firearms are bought and sold at this event, there's no mistaking that assault rifles and high capacity clips are also sold to the public with no need for a background check of any kind.

If we, as a society, truly wish to change things, we should start by not hosting such traveling bazaars of death at our facilities.

Cory R. Wall

Salt Lake City