(WBBM NEWSRADIO)— Federal authorities have unveiled plans to crack down on straw purchasers — people who act as go-betweens to illegally procure a gun for someone who can’t legally buy one.
“Someone will send a friend who doesn't have a felony conviction, they'll send, you know, a girlfriend, a boyfriend, or an acquaintance to go buy guns for them,” Chicago-based U.S. Attorney John Lausch said.
A new “Don’t Lie for the Other Guy” publicity campaign features dozens of billboards, radio ads and social media posts discouraging people from breaking the law.
“We are really working hard to ensure that people understand that they should not be going into stores and buying guns for other people,” said Kristen de Tineo, Special Agent in Charge the Chicago Division of the Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.
People who illegally buy firearms for someone else can face a sentence up to 10 years behind bars.
The feds’ campaign comes as Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot has asked for help from Washington to combat gun violence. Lausch said the effort is not in response to that specific request, but the effort aims to keep “guns out of the hands of people who shouldn't have them, people like felons.”
The multimedia campaign is funded by members of the firearm industry.
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