Georgia Lawmakers Consider Tougher Penalties For Straw Buyers

By Tom Knighton

The problem with barring felons from buying guns is that almost every felon knows someone who isn’t necessarily a law-abiding citizen but is someone who just hasn’t been caught at anything serious. While we make it illegal for the felon to buy the gun himself, he can easily send a buddy of his into a store to buy a gun for him. It’s not difficult.

Then, to top it off, there’s not even significant penalties for doing it, apparently.

Some Georgia lawmakers want to change that.

You don’t have to pull the trigger to face prison time. At least, that’s what some lawmakers are hoping to get on the books.

Meg Heap, the Chatham County District Attorney, State Rep. Jesse Petrea, R- Savannah, and Alderman Julian Miller, District 4, met outside the Chatham County Courthouse Thursday afternoon to discuss an amendment to the Straw Purchase Law they are hoping to pass.

The statute targets people who buy guns “knowingly and intentionally” for a convicted felon or first time offender on probation. The current charge is a misdemeanor, but legislators are pushing for a harsher punishment.

“All the other crimes, if you commit an armed robbery, and you were charged also with possession of …Read the Rest

Source:: Bearing Arms