ATF Launches Anti-Straw Purchase Campaign in Memphis

MEMPHIS, TN - The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives has launched a major public awareness campaign to eliminate illegal gun purchases in Memphis, TN.

The "Don't Lie for the Other Guy" campaign focuses on straw purchasers - individuals who purchase a firearm on behalf of another person who is not able to legally purchase one for themselves. Straw purchases are felonies that can result in up to 15 years in prison and a $250,000 fine for the buyer.

The Memphis campaign launched with a press conference led by ATF Special Agent in Charge Jamey VanVliet accompanied by representatives from the U.S. Attorney's Office, the Memphis Police Department, Shelby County Sheriff's Office, and the Tennessee Bureau of Investigations.

To purchase a firearm, an individual must complete ATF Form 4473 and a background check via the National Instant Criminal Background Check System . Those who know they cannot pass a background check or do not want their names associated with a firearm purchase oftentimes recruit a friend or acquaintance to make the purchase for them. These individuals are straw purchasers and are committing a felony. Those engaged in gun trafficking often recruit multiple straw purchasers to assist them in acquiring firearms that then can end up in the hands of criminals, gangs and drug cartels, fueling violent crime.

"By preventing straw purchases, we are helping create a safer Memphis, safer communities, and a safer nation for everyone. Together, we must continue sending a unified message: purchasing a firearm for a prohibited person is not a favor - it is a federal crime with life-altering consequences," said Special Agent in Charge Jamey VanVliet.

The Don't Lie for the Other Guy campaign is a collaborative program between ATF and the National Shooting Sports Foundation . The campaign is promoted through multiple media channels including billboards, digital-out-of-home (DOOH) screens, desktop, mobile and tablet devices, and programmatic audio in geotargeted areas throughout Memphis, TN.

The campaign will run through September 4, 2026, as a reminder to residents of Memphis, TN of the consequences associated with straw purchasing and its impact on their community.