Posted by Blogger Name. Category:
Mayor Rahm Emanuel is hailing a U.S. Supreme Court decision upholding the conviction of a man who lied on a federal form that he was buying a gun for himself — when he actually made the purchase for his uncle.
The 5-4 ruling is a victory for law enforcement officials who say such “straw purchases” are one of the key ways guns wind up in the hands of criminals in Chicago and elsewhere.
“The Supreme Court’s decision is a big victory for public safety and common sense. In the last five years, more than 1,500 guns made their way from just one suburban dealer to Chicago crime scenes,” Emanuel said in a statement.
“A person who buys a gun and arms a criminal is just as responsible as the person who pulls the trigger. Today’s decision makes it clear that purchasing a gun for someone else is a serious crime with deadly consequences. I applaud the court for upholding this law.”
Federally licensed gun dealers are required to have customers fill out a form saying they’re the actual purchaser.
