Lawmakers take aim at gun traffickers

Traffickers who purchase guns for felons are coming under increasing scrutiny from lawmakers on both sides of the aisle.

The Gun Trafficking Prevention Act of 2015, introduced Wednesday by a bipartisan group of lawmakers, would target the so-called straw purchasers with stronger criminal penalties.

“We believe there should be stronger penalties for those ‘straw purchasers’ who knowingly buy guns for convicted felons and others who are prohibited from buying guns on their own,” Rep. Carolyn Maloney (D-N.Y.) told The Hill.

The gun trafficking bill is being pushed by Democrats and has the backing of several Republicans, though it faces an uphill battle in Congress. The lawmakers hope to discourage people from making straw purchases for criminals by increasing the penalty to a maximum of 20 years in prison.

The current penalties for straw purchasers are “toothless” and merely serve as a “slap on the wrist,” critics say. They argue there is little incentive to prevent people from making straw purchases, or for law enforcement to arrest them.

“It’s like going 65 miles an hour in a 55 zone and getting a speeding ticket,” Rep. Elijah Cummings (D-Md.) told The Hill. “There’s no real punishment.”

The gun trafficking bill would stiffen the punishments on people who intentionally make straw purchases for criminals. However, the lawmakers say it would not prevent people from purchasing guns as gifts for their friends and family. 

The bipartisan bill is sponsored by four Democrats and four Republicans, including Reps. Patrick Meehan (R-Pa.), Peter King (R-N.Y.), Mike Fitzpatrick (R-Pa.), Dan Donovan (R-N.Y.), Tammy Duckworth (D-Ill.), Robin Kelly (D-Ill.), Maloney, and Cummings.

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