Bipartisan Bill on ‘Straw’ Gun Purchases Clears Senate Panel

[Eugene]

Source: New York Times

Bipartisan Bill on 'Straw' Gun Purchases Clears Senate Panel

By JENNIFER STEINHAUER
Published: March 7, 2013

WASHINGTON — In a possible harbinger of bipartisan support for a small piece of legislation to curb gun violence, the Senate Judiciary Committee on Thursday approved a measure that would make the practice of illegally buying a gun for someone else a felony, and increase penalties for the crime.

The measure, which addresses so-called straw purchasing, passed the committee by 11 to 7; the only Republican to vote in favor was Senator Charles Grassley of Iowa. Mr. Grassley’s nod on the measure, which already had two Republican co-sponsors, was significant because he is the most senior member of the committee. The panel is comprised of 10 Democrats and 8 Republicans.

Several Republicans spoke out against the bill, including Senator John Cornyn of Texas, who said the legislation seemed designed “to show we are doing something,” but in the end would not be effective in halting gun crimes.

The committee’s meeting later ended abruptly, apparently to accommodate a classified briefing, and it was not clear when the senators would return.

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Read more: http://www.nytimes.com/2013/03/08/us/politics/bipartisan-bill-straw-gun-purchases-senate.html

[The Magistrate]

1. Good News If It Has Real Teeth, Sir

[Pararescue]

2. If it doesn't cover private sales also,

it'll be a useless piece of legislation, it's already a felony on the federal level if done through an FFL dealer.
I'm glad to see the penalties being increased.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Straw_purchase

Firearms

Straw purchases can be illegal in the United States when made at a federally licensed firearm dealership. If the straw purchaser of the firearm lies about the identity of the ultimate possessor of the gun, he can be charged with making false statements on a federal Firearms Transaction Record. If a firearm is purchased as a gift, the purchaser must indicate the intended recipient on the transaction record. Straw purchases of used guns are not illegal, unless the gun is used in a crime with the prior knowledge of the straw purchaser.[1]