ATF launches anti-straw purchase campaign in Delray Beach

ATF launches anti-straw purchase campaign in Delray Beach

Delray Beach, FL - The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives together with the National Shooting Sports Foundation (NSSF) has launched a major public awareness campaign to eliminate illegal gun purchases throughout South Florida.

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 campaign launched with a press conference led by ATF Director Rob Cekada accompanied by representatives from the U.S. Attorney's Office, NSSF, Florida Department of Law Enforcement, Delray Beach Police Department, Palm Beach Sheriff's Office, and the West Palm Beach Police Department.

To purchase a firearm, an individual must complete ATF Form 4473 and a background check via the National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS) . 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.

In his remarks, ATF Director said, "When we talk about firearms being straw purchased and finding their way into the hands of criminals, through the efforts that we have with the National Shooting Sports Foundation and Federal Firearms Licensees, we've brought forth 47,000 firearms from domestic trafficking cases where firearms were being purchased illegally with the intention of transferring to a person who had a criminal intent with those firearms."

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 Miami-Dade, Broward, and Palm Beach counties.

The campaign will run through September as a reminder to residents in the area of the consequences associated with straw purchasing and its impact on their community.