Title: Inside Straw Purchasing: How Criminals Get Guns Illegally

Publication Date: April 15, 2008

What does it say?

This report from the Mayors Against Illegal Guns coalition details 12 specific ways that some licensed gun dealers sell handguns to illegal traffickers through straw purchases.  The report is based on interviews with witnesses to gun trafficking and public reports and court documents. The twelve ways are: 

• Traffickers picked "easy" stores
• Straw purchasers ("straws") paid in drugs and money
• Some dealers sell to straw purchasers who know nothing about guns
• Most straw purchases are done with the trafficker in the store
• Straws buy multiple guns per visit (often the same model of cheaper guns)
• Some salesmen are willing to sell despite suspicions
• Some dealers coach customers on straw purchasing
• Questioning a straw can prevent an illegal sale
• Many stores recognize and reject straw sales
• Employees lack training on spotting straw purchases
• Trafficking guns across state lines is common
• Traffickers make a big profit on cheap guns.

How can I use it?

Send this publication to your elected officials, law enforcement leaders, and other decision-makers in your community.  Ask the mayor of your city to join Mayors Against Illegal Guns.  You can see which mayors have already signed on to the coalition by clicking here. 

Citation

Mayors Against Illegal Guns. Inside Straw Purchasing: How Criminals Get Guns Illegally. April 15, 2009