Gov. Walker signs bill upping penalties on straw purchases in Wisconsin

By Chris Eger

Walker signed the measure bumping up the penalty for an illegal straw purchase of a gun under Wisconsin law from nine months to six years in prison. (Photo: Walker’s office)
Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker on Wednesday approved a measure touted as making it easier to prosecute illegal straw purchasing of firearms in the state.
The bill, SB 408, was among 41 signed by the Republican without comment this week. The new law makes it a Class H felony in the state to purchase a gun with the intent to give it to someone prohibited from possessing a firearm or to act as a “human holster” by holding a weapon for a criminal. The backers of the proposal, which passed the legislature on a voice vote, say the move was requested by the Milwaukee Police Department.
“Criminals were very aware of these loopholes,” said state Sen. Alberta Darling, R-River Hills. “Thanks to Governor Walker, prosecutors should be able to make gun charges stick and get dangerous criminals off the streets.”
The law raises the maximum penalty for the illegal “straw purchasing” of guns under state law from a $10,000 fine and nine months in jail to six years in prison. Similarly, those acting as a

Source: Guns.com