Don't Lie for the Other Guy

Woman on a smartphone responding to a request for a favor.

What Is a Straw Purchase?

A straw purchase occurs when an individual buys a firearm for a person who is not legally allowed to purchase or own one.

Even if the buyer passes a background check, the purchase is illegal if the firearm is intended for someone else who is prohibited by law from possessing it.

Straw purchasing is against federal law and puts communities at risk.

Submit a tip about illegal firearm purchases

Why It Matters

Federal law restricts certain people from purchasing firearms to protect public safety. When someone uses a straw buyer to bypass those safeguards, dangerous individuals can gain access to weapons.

Firearms obtained through straw purchases are frequently linked to:

Violent crime
Domestic abuse
Drug trafficking
Gang-related activity

Preventing straw purchases helps reduce gun violence and protect communities nationwide and abroad.

Who Cannot Legally Purchase a Firearm?

Under federal law, individuals prohibited from purchasing or possessing firearms include those who:

Have been convicted of certain crimes punishable by imprisonment of more than one year
Are fugitives from justice
Are unlawful users of, or addicted to controlled substances
Have been adjudicated as mentally defective or committed to a mental institution
Are subject to certain domestic violence restraining orders
Have been convicted of a misdemeanor crime of domestic violence
Have renounced U.S. citizenship
Were dishonorably discharged from the armed forces
Are illegal aliens or hold certain nonimmigrant visas

These safeguards are designed to prevent firearms from being transferred to those who may pose a risk to themselves or others.

Legal Consequences

Individuals who agree to “help” someone by purchasing a firearm on their behalf can face life-changing criminal consequences because straw purchasing is a serious federal offense.

Under federal law (18 U.S.C. § 932 & 933), penalties may include:

Up to 15 years in prison
Fines of up to $250,000
Up to 25 years in prison if the firearm is later used in a felony, act of terrorism, or drug trafficking crime

Why People Make Straw Purchases

Individuals may agree to make a straw purchase because:

They feel pressure from friends, family members or partners
They are offered money
They are threatened or manipulated
They do not realize the purchase is illegal

Regardless of intent, the act is a federal crime.

What You Can Do

You can help prevent illegal gun trafficking.

Learn the warning signs
Share accurate information within your community
Support retailers who follow all background check requirements
Report suspicious activity

Submit a Tip About Illegal Firearm Activity

If you suspect a straw purchase or other illegal firearm activity, submit a tip online or call 1-888-ATF-TIPS (1-888-283-8477). Your information could help save lives.

Submit an anonymous tip

For Firearm Retailers

Federal Firearms Licensees (FFLs) are a critical line of defense against illegal gun transfers.

Retailers can help prevent straw purchases by:

Training employees to recognize red flags
Ensuring full compliance with background check requirements
Posting signage warning of penalties
Partnering with law enforcement

How to Spot a Straw Purchase

Warning signs may include:

One person selects the firearm while another person pays
A buyer who appears unfamiliar with the firearm
A purchaser being directed or coached by someone else
Reluctance to complete required background check paperwork

If something doesn’t seem right, it may not be.

Don’t Lie for the Other Guy Campaign

The National Shooting Sports Foundation (NSSF), with the support of ATF, provides resources through the Don’t Lie for the Other Guy campaign to help retailers identify and prevent straw purchases.

Don’t Lie for the Other Guy is a collaborative public service campaign developed by ATF and NSSF to better educate firearms retailers on how to detect would-be straw purchasers and to raise public awareness that straw purchasing is a federal crime with serious penalties. For more than 25 years, the campaign has been active in cities across the United States serving as a cornerstone for our shared mission to safeguard communities and to keep firearms out of the hands of prohibited persons.

NSSF’s Free Anti-Straw Purchasing Retailer Kit