It is critical to follow the law perfectly when purchasing a firearm. While Americans do have rights under the Second Amendment, firearms are still subjected to a lot of different controls, and you don’t want to make a mistake that could lead to legal charges.
One example of a way that people sometimes violate these firearm regulations is the use of a straw purchase. What is this, and what happens if you’re accused of such a crime?
It’s a way of getting around the background check
Essentially, a straw purchase is one where the person who wants to buy the firearm knows that they will not pass the background check. This is required at the federal level, so they cannot buy a gun without passing it.
What they will do is find a proxy buyer. This is a person who does not have a criminal record and who will pass the background check. The actual purchaser then gives money to this individual to buy the gun on their behalf. In essence, this helps the first person get around the background check so that they can still obtain the firearm that they want.
What happens if you’re caught?
This is a very serious crime. A conviction of making a straw purchase could lead to a decade in prison and a quarter of a million dollars in fines. It is certainly nothing that you want to take lightly.
As such, if you’ve been accused of making a straw purchase or some other type of weapons violation, you should consult wan experienced criminal defense attorney who can help you explore all your options.