After news media outlets broke the story in February 2008 that the TGSCOM sites sold both
Cho Seung-Hui and
Steve Kazmierczak the firearms or accessories they used in their respective shooting sprees, the company came under scrutiny of its Internet operations. TGSCOM is one of the largest online retailers of firearms, and is an advocate for laws allowing concealed handguns. Further controversy ensued on April 24th, when founder Eric Thompson spoke at a pro-gun meeting at
Virginia Tech. He is running a sale of firearms 'at cost' to allow more students to protect themselves.