Straw Sale?

[ugimports]

So I'm looking for a Steyr M40-A1 for a customer. I find a guy on gunbroker that has one but lists he doesn't sell to CA... I figured I'd shoot him a message to see if I can change his mind:

I have a customer that is looking for this pistol. Can I inquire as to why
you do not ship anything to California? If it has to do with the extra
piece of paperwork I'd be happy to walk you through the process of getting
set up to ship to CA. I'm a California dealer and a couple of my customers
are looking for a Steyr M40-A1.

Would I be able to have you ship the pistol to another partner FFL Dealer
of mine in either Michigan or Utah in order for them to ship to me?

I look forward to your response.

Thank You,

His response:

Sorry we can not do that. That would be a straw sale. Thanks

What is he talking about?

Here was my response:

I'm not sure how I understand that as a straw sale? The FFL in the other state would be performing a dealer to dealer transfer with me in California. Since no form 4473 is filled out until the firearm is being sold to a customer in California then the person purchasing the firearm would be filling out question 11a truthfully. The process of transferring the firearm to different dealers is the same as if I am purchasing direct from RSR Group or Davidsons. As a side note, both of those national distributors are willing to ship firearms I purchase to any FFL I choose and it is not considered a straw sale.

I understand if you are still unwilling to do the sale, but I just wanted to clarify that I do not think this would be straw purchase since it would just be transferred through different licensed dealers.

If you'd reconsider I would likely have a customer interested in that Steyr M40-A1.

Thanks for your time,

Was my response remotely accurate or am I talking outta my @$$?

[om221]

He's a IDIOT and your not talking out of your @ZZ.

[EOD Guy]

There is no such thing a a straw sale in a transfer between licensees. A 4473 is not used in such a transfer.

[kemasa]

I would suggest that you have one of your partner FFLs contact him directly and purchase the firearms.

Yes, he does not know what he is talking about and does not have an idea of what a straw purchase is. Due to his refusing to ship to CA, he is doing what the anti-gun people want.

[tenpercentfirearms]

Simply move on. I wouldn't even reward that guy with the business through a middle man. Keep looking.

[kemasa]

If he can find the firearms elsewhere, I would agree. If not, then he might want to help his customers.