Is this a straw buy?

[dantodd]

This is not how the ATF or the CA DoJ defines straw purchase. While it should be legal to do as is described it will be viewed with a jaundiced eye by any FFL and with the recent high profile prosecution of FFLs for "straw purchases."

[kidrice]

Maybe you can have the guy buy you a gift certificate at the gun store, with his credit card. Then you turn around and use the gift certificate.

[Vin496]

Not a straw purchase by definition at all! I have read on Calguns that some dealers frown upon this though! Never have I had this issue at a gunstore....but that is what I have read!

This has been my experience. A few years back I was going to buy a shotgun for my friend's birthday. We went in and he picked it out and filled out the form, when it came time to pay,, I pulled out the cash and the FFL wouldn't allow the sale, said it looked like a straw purchase. Even though I had bought things from him before and he knew I was good to buy.

Told us to go out grab a snack and while we were out for my friend to get the money to buy the gun. We left came back about 10 minutes later and my friend bought his shotgun.

[tenpercentfirearms]

Sorry everyone feels the need to lecture you like you are 5 years old. I will simply answer the question.

This is not a straw purchase. However, you can only find out if its acceptable or not from the FFL that is going to run the DROS. Personally, I would just ask you the details, then ask if you are the actual guy keeping the gun, then remind you of the consequence if you lie on 11.a.

[fiddletown]

Sorry, but this it wrong. Why it's wrong has recently been discussed extensively here, here and here. There's no reason to go into detail here, because this presents a different situation.

The problem here is, as others have said, that the whole thing will look suspicious, so an FFL might baulk. Can't blame him. Why would he put his license and livelihood on the line?

[TonyM]

I'm unloading some of my airsoft guns to buy real stuff. I have a buyer for one of my airsoft guns who is willing, but doesn't have cash. He does have a credit card. One of my local FFL's has the M&P .40 package I'm after. Could it be considered a straw buy if I were to meet my buyer at the FFL, he were to pay for the M&P with his credit card, but I do all of the DROS forms?

Sorry everyone feels the need to lecture you like you are 5 years old. I will simply answer the question.

This is not a straw purchase. However, you can only find out if its acceptable or not from the FFL that is going to run the DROS. Personally, I would just ask you the details, then ask if you are the actual guy keeping the gun, then remind you of the consequence if you lie on 11.a.

If your FFL is inclined not to do as Wes states he would, I would do the following (assuming you have an iPhone or Android device).

1. Go to squareup.com and create an account, linking your bank account.
2. Validate your account (took me 1 day).
3. Either wait for the free reader in the mail, or go to bestbuy and buy this one for $10 that is available at most stores: Card Reader
4. Swipe card and sell Airsoft.
5. Money is transferred to your linked account in 1 business day.

That way, you don't need to teach people to use paypal/other that are not tech savvy.

[dantodd]

If your FFL is inclined not to do as Wes states he would, I would do the following (assuming you have an iPhone or Android device).

1. Go to squareup.com and create an account, linking your bank account.
2. Validate your account (took me 1 day).
3. Either wait for the free reader in the mail, or go to bestbuy and buy this one for $10 that is available at most stores: Card Reader
4. Swipe card and sell Airsoft.
5. Money is transferred to your linked account in 1 business day.

That way, you don't need to teach people to use paypal/other that are not tech savvy.

If I remember from when I bought my reader the $10 cost is put into your account when you link one. Effectively making the cost only the tax on $9.95.

[lorax3]

From a CYA standpoint, I'd wait until he had the actual cash to trade for the airsoft stuff. What if he decides to dispute the credit card charge made with the gun store? Too many foreseeable issues, if he really has some cash coming in the next few weeks I would wait.

[wurger]

Thanks for the replies. Buyer kept coming up with excuses and delays. I told him "cash only" and haven't heard from him since. I was pretty sure this wasn't a straw buy, but it's California after all...