Members of Roanoke community hold protest against gun shows

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ROANOKE (WSLS 10) - This week's tragedy at Smith Mountain Lake involving the shooting deaths of Alison Parker and Adam Ward has reignited debates over gun control. About a dozen people stood in front of the Berglund Center to protest the Roanoke Valley Gun Show on Sunday.

Protesters said they wanted the organizer to postpone the event because they felt it is not appropriate following the murders of Alison and Adam. They said they want to see stronger background checks and claim gun shows provide easy access to weapons.

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"There should be background checks for all guns sales whether or not its from a dealer or from individuals, it just seems more guns are falling into the hands of more people," Sidney Vaught, a protester said.

Annette Elliot is the owner of the Roanoke Valley Gun Show.

She said when guns are purchased at shows they're mostly used for protection.

"It wouldn't have done no good. The person who did the murder, he went through the background check, he bought it from a federal firearm licensee, and he went through the background check. I think the issue is not the gun, because he could've done it with a machete, with a bow" Elliot said.