I'm going to talk to a contact this weekend about this. The authorities and dealers I've spoken with about this issue in the past, and I admit I've never litigated the straw purchaser issue in court, have had very different interpretations of the regulations and caselaw. If indeed they are to be interpreted so as to permit purchases for the purpose of gifts to third parties, then I'm frankly at a loss, as that would render the straw purchase regulations utterly incapable of enforcement. Every single straw purchase would be characterized, even structured, as a gift. But as I say, I'll withdraw from the debate and talk to my contacts about this. If you're right, then an awful lot of my clients are going to be absolutely delighted. No, the prohibited persons remain prohibited from possession, but the "gift" exclusion, if interpreted as broadly as you suggest, would bring them far, far closer to physical possession, legal or otherwise, than they are, now.