Straw Purchase Prohibition

This is educational information only and does not constitute legal advice. Consult with a qualified attorney for specific legal questions.

Why it matters: Lying on Form 4473 about who's really buying that gun can land you 15 years in federal prison—even if your buddy could legally buy it himself.

I've watched too many well-meaning gun owners get jammed up on this one. They think they're just helping out a friend or family member, but the ATF doesn't see it that way. When you check "yes" on question 21.a of Form 4473 claiming you're the actual buyer, you better actually be the actual buyer.

The legal reality: A straw purchase happens when you buy a firearm for someone else while pretending to be the buyer on federal paperwork. This violates the Gun Control Act of 1968, and the Supreme Court upheld the prohibition in a 5-4 ruling that made it crystal clear—doesn't matter if the real buyer could pass every background check in the book.

The feds take this seriously because straw purchases gut the entire background check system. Maximum penalties hit 15 years and $250,000 in fines. If that gun gets used in a crime later, you're looking at 25 years.

How This Plays Out at the Counter

What this means for you: Your coworker hands you cash and asks you to pick up that Glock he's got on layaway because he can't make it to the store. Seems harmless, right? Wrong—that's a textbook straw purchase.

The classic scenario involves someone with a clean record buying for a prohibited person. But here's what trips people up—the law doesn't require the end recipient to be prohibited. Buy for your law-abiding neighbor who just wants to skip the paperwork, and you've both committed federal crimes.

Between the lines: The ATF's "Don't Lie for the Other Guy" campaign isn't just cute marketing. Dealers get trained to spot straw purchases, and they're required to refuse suspicious sales. Red flags include someone else answering questions for you, coaching you through the process, or providing your payment.

I've seen dealers shut down sales when the buyer keeps looking to their buddy for answers. Smart dealers know their license depends on following these rules.

The Gift Exception—Where It Gets Tricky

The bottom line: Legitimate gifts are generally okay, but the line between gifts and straw purchases gets blurry fast.

Here's the test—if you decide on your own to buy your adult son a hunting rifle for his birthday with your own money, that's typically legal. But if he asks for a specific gun, contributes money, or the whole thing was really his idea that you're executing, prosecutors might see it differently.

What this means for you: The safest approach for gifts is making sure it's truly your decision, your money, and the recipient can legally own firearms in your state. When in doubt, have them buy it themselves.

Common Ways People Screw This Up

The misconceptions I hear at gun shows and ranges:

"It's legal if they could pass the check anyway" — Nope, doesn't matter
"We're married, so it's different" — Marriage creates no exception
"I'll pay him back next week" — Timing of payment is irrelevant
"The gun store will warn me if it's illegal" — You're responsible for knowing the law

The legal reality: Private sales between individuals operate under different rules than dealer transactions. Most states allow private transfers without federal paperwork, but knowingly selling to a prohibited person stays illegal regardless.

Some states now require background checks for all transfers, even private ones. Research your state's specific requirements—they vary wildly.

Staying Out of Federal Prison

What this means for you: Only buy guns for yourself unless you're giving a legitimate gift that clearly meets the legal criteria. If someone else wants a firearm, they visit the dealer, fill out their own Form 4473, and get their own background check.

Be straight with dealer staff. If they suspect a straw purchase, they'll refuse the sale—and that refusal might save you from federal prosecution later.

The bottom line: The ATF doesn't mess around with straw purchases because they often connect to larger trafficking operations. Even single transactions between friends can result in federal charges, especially if investigators think the arrangement was planned or if anyone lies to law enforcement during the investigation.

This isn't about legitimate private sales or genuine gifts. It's about maintaining the integrity of the background check system by ensuring the person filling out federal forms is actually the person buying the gun.

Resources

ATF "Don't Lie for the Other Guy" campaign materials
ATF official guidance documents and Form 4473 instructions
Your state attorney general's office for state-specific transfer requirements
Qualified firearms attorneys for specific legal questions

Join the Discussion

Have you ever been in a situation where someone asked you to buy a gun for them, and how did you handle explaining why you couldn't do it?

Straw Purchase Prohibition

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