The law also could protect private sellers from any legal liability that could follow the sale of a firearm once state police perform the check and find no red flags.

Implementation of the law did have a price. Upon passage of the measure during the 2016 General Assembly session, the Virginia State Police received three new, full-time civilian positions — with benefits — to fulfill the requirements of the new law. That costs taxpayers about $300,000 annually.

When not on the road at gun shows, the new employees supplement existing staff within the Virginia Firearms Transaction Center and help develop and provide instructional materials to licensed firearms dealers registered with the VFTC, as well as to private sellers and buyers of firearms.

The VFTC technicians who perform the gun show checks have estimated that the majority of private sellers using the service are 50 to 65 years old, while most of the buyers are in their late 20s or early 30s.

It also appears that fewer private gun owners are selling their firearms at gun shows than were doing so two years ago, said Mike Matthews, a senior supervisor in the VFTC.