In Firearms Straw Purchasers , I mentioned the lack of enforcement of Federal laws against straw purchases. But I did find this article about a successful prosecution. Using the word successful might be a stretch based on the outcome. Sure the person was found guilty, but did the punishment fit the crime?
A 26 year old woman bought a gun for her boyfriend. She lied on the ATF Form 4473 saying the gun was for herself (1st crime). She gave the gun to her boyfriend, a convicted felon (2nd crime). The boyfriend was a resident of a different State (3rd crime). The gun was to be used to illegal activities (4th crime). Grand total maximum penalty: 20 years. Even though there’s no doubt she was guilty of all four crimes and possibly more, she was only charged with one.
Details: The boyfriend used the firearm to shoot and kill a police officer who was attempting to arrest him in connection with another shooting. He was in turn killed by the officer’s partner. The officer that died had recently given birth to a baby girl. The baby was born premature so the mother returned to work until the baby could be released from the hospital. Her last day of work before bringing the baby home was the day she was killed.
The woman who knowingly broke the law that started the chain of events that resulted in two deaths was tried and convicted of lying on the AFT form. She was sentenced to ONE YEAR of PROBATION and COMMUNITY SERVICE!!!!! The parents of the officer, as well as her husband and newborn baby are sentenced to a lifetime without their daughter, wife or mother. The only person found guilty returns to her home, sentenced to be good for a year. Was justice served? Did reading this make your blood boil or want to scream out loud?
Straw Purchaser of Gun that Kills Cop gets one year Probation