On the verge of the two-year anniversary of the Virginia Tech shootings, the ongoing debate about the state's gun show loophole is once again getting attention.

Dozens of people submitted a letter the Richmond Times Dispatch expressing their disappointment that lawmakers voted against a bill, which would have required criminal background checks for private dealers at gun shows.

"Let have everyone go through a background check to make sure that the people purchasing the guns are not mentally insane, are not criminals and are not terrorist," says Omar Samaha, who is one of the people listed in the letter.

Samaha's was killed during the shooting at Virginia Tech almost two years ago. He was shocked at how easy it was to get weapons at a gun show.

"I actually bought two assault riffles and I bought a Glock. The same exact type of gun used at Virginia Tech to kill my sister and 31 other victims. I was asked no questions and I had no ID check at all," says Samaha.

However, Jon Ritenour, owner of Homestead Gunsmith, says closing the loophole would not solve the problem.

"I don't think it really would make any difference, because there's a very small percentage of firearms transferred at gunshows," says Ritenour.

Ritenour says he issues all the necessary forms and waits for approval when it comes to background checks to sell guns at his shop, because it's the law.

Private dealers selling a gun without a background check are protected by law as well.

Ritenour says it's not just a matter of rights. He feels closing the loophole may not be as effective as some think it would.

"The shooter at Virginia Tech went through all the checks but he knew how to work the system," says Ritenour, who continued by saying that closing the loophole would not be effective against gun sales that take place at garage sales and between people who know one another.