What is a strawman purchase?
A straw purchase occurs when the actual buyer of a firearm uses another person, the straw purchaser to execute the paperwork necessary a firearm from a Federal firearms licensee. A strawman purchase is sometimes used because the actual purchaser is prohibited from acquiring the firearm. The straw purchaser then makes a false statement on the ATF Form 4473 when answering question 9(a), which asks about the identity of the actual purchaser. Such false statements are punishable by a fine of up to $250,000 and up to 10 years imprisonment.
