While technically a gun case, this one hasn’t generated much press. At issue is a purchase of a pistol Bruce Abramski made on behalf of his uncle. Mr. Abramski was prosecuted for making a “false of fictitious” statement in regards to the actual buyer of the firearm.
Under 18 USC §922(a)(6) it is unlawful to mislead a dealer regarding the actual identity of the purchaser of a firearm. Ostensibly, this is to prevent “straw purchases,” which are a major source of crime guns. The classic example is this:
Bob is legally disqualified from owning a firearm. Bob gives Steve money, and Steve buys the firearm on Bob’s behalf. Steve is a bad man who has just provided a bad person with a gun and he should feel bad.
Except that’s not accurate. Even if it was legal for Bob to own the gun in question, Steve would be committing a crime by claiming to be the actual buyer. Continued...