Prosecutors Endanger Communities by Going Soft
on Repeated Illegal Straw Purchasers of Firearms

The Firearm Industry Trade Association, could not be more serious about preventing the crime of illegal straw purchasing. That's when someone who isn't prohibited from owning a firearm lies on the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosive (ATF) Form 4473 when buying a firearm and declares they are purchasing the gun for their own use when they actually intend to sell or give it to someone else who is prohibited or is an illegal firearms trafficker who does not want their name associated with the transaction. That is a serious crime and should be treated as such.

Illegal straw purchases are not victimless crimes. The recent lone wolf terrorist tragedy at Virginia's Old Dominion University demonstrates why prosecutors should be held accountable when their lax prosecutions directly lead to greater tragedies involving criminal firearm misuse — especially when guns are obtained through illegal straw purchases.

Maddening Development

Nearly three weeks ago, Mohamed Jalloh, walked into an ROTC training session at Old Dominion University in Norfolk, Va., and opened fire, shooting a .22-caliber handgun he purchased the night before for $100 from an acquaintance who is a serial straw purchaser. Tragically, Army Lt. Col. Brandon Shah, who was teaching the class, was murdered. Two other students were wounded. According to The Virginian-Pilot, "several students tackled Jalloh, with one of them pulling a knife and stabbing him to death." …