Buying a gun for someone who cannot legally purchase one is a federal crime, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives is focusing on South Florida as part of the “Don’t Lie for the Other Guy” campaign, which has been combating this practice for 26 years.
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The director of ATF and the U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Florida, joined by local law enforcement leaders, reinforced a warning on Thursday: a favor can become a federal crime.
“When somebody asks you to go into a store, fill out the paperwork and buy a gun because they can’t do it, don’t do it,” said Jason Reding Quiñones, U.S. Attorney of the Southern District of Florida. “It’s not a favor. You’re not helping them. What you’re doing is committing a federal crime.”
It’s known as a straw purchase: buying a firearm for someone who is prohibited from purchasing one, or who doesn’t want their name associated with the transaction.
And behind some of these purchases is a lucrative illegal gun-trafficking business.
“A firearm like this can cost between 13 and 15 thousand dollars here,” said Robert Cekada, ATF director. “In Mexico, it can sell for around $60,000.”
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Authorities said some of these guns end up in the hands of criminals, while others are trafficked to the Caribbean, Central America and Mexico.
For the person making the illegal purchase, the penalty can be up to 15 years in federal prison and a fine of up to $250,000.
“ATF will investigate you, the U.S. Attorney’s Office will prosecute you, and if the evidence supports it, we’re gonna put you in prison. So don’t risk your freedom for doing somebody a favor,” Cekada said.
Over the next month, the campaign will include 17 billboards in Palm Beach County, along with radio and social media advertising.
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The messages will also target Miami-Dade, Broward and Palm Beach..