Gun that killed Officer Brad Fox was in straw purchase

[SecularMotion]

Making “straw purchases” is a violation of firearms laws. Previously, second and subsequent violations of the law were punishable by a five-year mandatory minimum sentence upon conviction, according to officials. But that law was struck down based on how the law was written.

However, Ferman said a pending bill in the state Legislature would restore the five-year mandatory sentence. The bill passed in the House in April 2011 but has languished in the state Senate since then.

Ferman said she spoke recently with members of the Senate regarding the bill.

“I am hopeful, we are all hopeful, that they will move that bill forward so that we can restore the five-year mandatory minimum,” Ferman said. “It may not help us directly in this case but I think it sets the bar and it will tell our courts, give some guidance to our courts, about the kind of sentence that is appropriate for someone who is a repeat straw purchaser.”

http://www.delcotimes.com/articles/2012/10/11/news/doc50758c93cae2c832720366.txt?viewmode=fullstory

[safeinOhio]

1. Hard to argue with that.

Both sides of gun issues should support better laws on straw purchase and better enforcement.

thanks for the post

[Remmah2]

2. Straw buying and selling purchases should be severly punished.

The ATF should be included.

[gejohnston]

3. last I checked

you can get up to ten years for straw purchasing under federal law, so why isn't the local DA turning those cases to the US attorney while the law is rewritten? Or convict them on the state charge then send them to the US for the federal charge, IIRC, that would not be double jeopardy.

[GreenStormCloud]

4. Nobody here supports straw purchasing.

Long jail terms are for straw purchasers are good.

[Atypical Liberal]

5. Straw buyers should be nailed to the wall.

They are enablers for criminals.

[ManiacJoe]

6. I am surprised that the straw purchase was actually prosecuted.

Now if we could just get the prosecutors to make this a habit....