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Course Outline

Straw Purchase

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A straw purchase is an illegal firearm purchase where the actual buyer of the gun, being unable to pass the required federal background check or desiring to not have his or her name associated with the transaction, uses a proxy buyer who can pass the required background check to purchase the firearm for him or her. It is highly illegal and punishable by a $250,000 fine and 10 years in prison.

It is a federal offense to purchase a firearm for another person who cannot. The Federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) and the National Shooting Sports Foundation (NSSF) promote an awareness program of “Don’t Lie for the Other Guy” to prevent straw purchasing.

Don't Lie for the Other Guy
  • Unit 10 of 11
  • Topic 2 of 4
  • Page 5 of 5
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