Some people are prevented from obtaining a conceal carry permit or purchasing a firearm because of a prior felony conviction. The Gun Control Act and subsequent amendments prohibits anyone convicted of a felony and anyone subject to a domestic violence protective order from possessing a firearm. Even a simple misdemeanor conviction for domestic violence can trigger the Lautenberg Amendment, a federal law which bans the possession, ownership, and use of guns or ammunition by individuals convicted of misdemeanor domestic violence. It is unlawful to knowingly sell or give a firearm or ammunition to such persons.
A straw purchase occurs when somebody buys a firearm for a person while pretending to purchase it for personal use. Providing false information to a gun dealer with the intent to purchase a firearm and then transferring it to a person prohibited from obtaining one is a violation of Wisconsin law. Anyone that helps another illegally obtain a gun can also be prosecuted for aiding and abetting a crime.
On the federal level, making false written or oral statements about a material fact on ATF forms or presenting false identification when purchasing a firearm from a licensed importer, manufacturer, dealer, or collector of firearms is illegal. The gun seller can also be liable if the seller knew or had reason to know that the person buying the gun is a prohibited buyer.
Contact A Waukesha Weapon Crimes & Straw Purchase Criminal Defense Lawyer
Illegal possession of a firearm is more common than you might imagine and of course many firearms owned by prohibited people are obtained through straw purchases. Whether the recipient got a bad rap years ago and is an upstanding citizen now or is a hardened criminal does not matter. Buying a gun for someone who is prohibited can result in severe criminal penalties for the straw purchaser which can include prison time and hundreds of thousands in fines. If you are facing federal or state charges for making a straw purchase, it is important to get help now. Contact Waukesha, Wisconsin weapon crimes attorney Andrew C. Ladd today for immediate assistance at 262-542-3900
