I can find several people walking around with an AR15 strapped on their back with a sign that says “For sale, $1200”. That’s the actual private sales loophole.

There’s one gun show near me that allows private sellers to register for a table. The only time I’ve ever seen it is people in a historic items collectors club that show up, and I’ve only ever seen one with a gun to sell that was in working order and manufactured post-1899. He wanted $5,000 for a beat up m1917 Enfield. I don’t know whether he was stupid, or looking for someone else who was.

Tbf, some states allow private sellers at gun shows, some don’t, some shows in states that do allow it won’t allow it themselves, etc. It’s kinda a mixed bag leaning more towards “mostly FFLs.”

My local has both, for instance.

I’m sure there are plenty.

The finer detail though is that any FFL with a table still has to run a NICS background check. While any non-FFL doesn’t (and to my knowledge can’t even if they wanted to), which is exactly the same as if they were selling privately in any other way.

So, it is true you can buy a gun without a background check at a gun show, but it’s not like it’s a special law free zone where FFLs suddenly are exempt from the rules. It’s a unique situation where businesses and private sellers are selling guns right next to each other, each following different legal requirements.