Report possible straw purchase?

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mordyfinkel

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Hello Fellow Gun Owners,

First a brief introduction: I am a 23-year-old male, and I've been shooting for over a year now. I love the skill and dedication involved in shooting a variety of firearms; as well as learning about a particular gun's history, design, and function. I am also passionate about RKBA issues. This will be my first post on a gun-related forum, and I apologize in advance for it length.

Today I was at a local gun shop. From personal experience, I know that the good people that work there are scrupulous when it comes to adhering to all federal and state laws; however something caught my attention. A middle-aged woman came in around the same time as I did, and picked up a .357 revolver and some ammo. Fine no problem there.

The problem that has been gnawing at me is that when I left, I saw that her ride was a 20 something guy. As I was getting into my car, I exchanged a quick glance with the man, and he had one of those "hand in the cookie jar" looks on his face

I realize that this sounds completely speculative (even as a I reread my post, I think I sound paranoid), but I can't shake the feeling that the woman wasn't buying a gun for herself. I think what bothers me the most is that the guy waited in the car, while the woman went inside for 20-30 minutes. I mean, c'mon, who the heck wouldn't want to check out a gun store?

So my question boils down to this. Should I discreetly inform the owner of my suspicions? Again, I realize that this sounds nuts, but perhaps it's one of those, "you had to be there," scenarios. I don't want to step on anyone's toes and tell anyone how to run their business. On the other hand, my gut is telling me something is wrong, even though I am far from the "do-gooder" nosy neighbor type.

Lemme hear what you guys and gals think...and don't be afraid to lay it on thick if you think I deserve a slap in the head!
 
Do you think there's a plot in the works to physically harm someone else, or their property?

Unless something like the above were imminent, I find it best to keep out of the affairs of others.
 
I second the honorable BRBOYER. Gun people don't like meddlers and busybodies. Despite their sarcastic tones and harsh comments, the gun culture really is a very welcoming tribe, and I'm saying that as a newbie. You just have to have thick skin. Otherwise they are extremely helpful. Ask any question about anything gun related and you will receive a wealth of information, and some sarcastic little comments of course, that's more of an internet thing though. But we don't take kindly to ATF 'round these parts. You'll do a lot better if you keep your nose out of other people's affairs.
 
None of us can stop folks from doing bad things if they really want to.

You witnessed a woman buying a gun and driving away with a man in her car. Period.

Your suspicions might be dead on. Chances are, they were completely mistaken, too.

You don't know that she bought it for the guy, don't know that the guy is a prohibited person, and didn't even see her hand the guy the gun, but you're willing to "turn them in" for an illegal transfer?

No. Step back, relax and let this go.

The negative way guns have been seen by society in the past three decades or so makes many folks (even new gun owners) see "suspicious activity" occurring any time a gun is involved.

Unless you see a) dangerous gun handling or b) a direct threat -- assume the best and go on with life.
 
psyopspec said:
Do you think there's a plot in the works to physically harm someone else, or their property?

Unless something like the above were imminent, I find it best to keep out of the affairs of others.
Click to expand...
You hit the nail on the head.
 
fair enough, guys. i've seen all kinds in and around gun shops, yet for some reason, these individuals stuck out. i hope i'm not devolving into a paranoid delusional, senile old grandmother form of myself! have a great day, THR!
 
It should be pointed out that it is perfectly legal for another person to buy me a gun as a gift, and their doing so is not considered a straw purchase.
 
not enough evidence

From the information available one could equally surmise that the old lady was just going to take the young man across a state line for immoral porpoises.

Unless I honest to God knew for sure that there was a criminal conspiracy afoot, I would not report a mere speculation, for this reason: June 1971, Ken Ballew was a USAF veteran who had a private collection including five inert practice grenades (legal). A teenage burglar working off a plea deal reported seeing grenades in his apartment. A check by the Silver Spring MD ATF office showed no live grenades registered to Ken Ballew in the NFA registry. ATF got a knock-service day-time search warrant and broke down the back door of his apartment with a battering ram at 8:30pm (ATF daytime ends at 10:00pm). Ballew responded by defending himself and his fiance from what he thought were home invaders and was shot in the head. Even gun control advocate Robert Sherrill (author of The Saturday Night Special 1975) thought it was a little too much.
 
"It should be pointed out that it is perfectly legal for another person to buy me a gun as a gift, and their doing so is not considered a straw purchase."

rbernie,
Correct me if i'm wrong, but if you are on the premises while someone is buying it for you as a gift, aren't you required to complete the background check even though the other person is paying becuase you will be recieving the firearm...?
 
I see it all the time here in No. Indiana Amish country because most Amish have no ID, as required by the feds. Some Amish do not even have a SS number, yes one can op out of the SS program.

Do they present a problem? Probably not.

Is it legal? Probably not.
 
Correct me if i'm wrong, but if you are on the premises while someone is buying it for you as a gift, aren't you required to complete the background check even though the other person is paying becuase you will be recieving the firearm...?
Click to expand...

AFS is right, but it's worth repeating.

The answer to this question is NO.

The person purchasing the firearm is the person receiving the firearm.
 
So this guy sees a possible straw purchase, and that convinces people to trot out the myth/lies of Kenyon Ballew? :rolleyes:
 
Let me lay out a couple of plausible scenarios for you:

The gun was a gift for the man. He didn't want to go in to the store with the woman (who may have been his mom or girlfriend or whatever) and take part in the transaction because some FFLs are so afraid of the ATF or don't understand the law that selling a gun to someone to give as a gift is a perfectly legal transaction. My philosophy when dealing with FFLs is don't ask, don't tell. The more information that is provided to an FFL above and beyond that required by law - the more likely that FFL is going to get skittish...even regarding perfectly legal transactions.

Second scenario - and this is an actual occurrence that happened with me. In August or so a couple years ago I saw a left-handed AR-15 at a gun shop. My wife then (ex now) was left handed, so I looked at it. Price was, say $1,250. I offered $875, dealer said no. November rolls around, I walk into the store to buy ammo, wife waits in the car. I see a $875 price sticker on the same AR-15. I tell the dealer I'm going to send the wife in to look at that gun. I go out, tell her to go in and look at the AR-15 for $875 and see what she can do. She got the guy to sell her the AR-15, the red dot scope on it and a couple magazines for $875 while I waited in the car.

So... I agree with:

MYOB and SLAP!
 
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