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Tuesday, October 15, 2013

Supreme Court to Hear Case of Virginian Convicted of "Straw Purchase"

ABC News has the story here.  The defendant,  Bruce James Abramski, Jr., a former police officer, purchased a Glock 19 handgun in Collinsville, Va., in 2009 and transferred it to his uncle in Easton, Pa.  His uncle is legally able to own and purchase firearms.  Apparently, Abramski used his police discount so that his uncle could get it a little cheaper than he would have if he bought it himself in PA.

Abramski says he should not be considered a straw purchaser because his uncle is not a prohibited person.  The Feds say he lied on his 4473 because he said he was the "actual buyer."

You will recall that all the talk about so-called "universal" background checks back in April was really more "transfers" than purchases.  Manchin/Toomey/Schumer could have made you a felon for "transferring" a firearm to someone without first conducting a background check, including simply letting a friend try your firearm at the range.  Colorado's new "universal" background check does the same.  So, this could prove to be an important case.

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