Gifts.

dayman · December 11, 2012, 02:41 PM

I had a question that my internet searching was unable to answer to m satisfaction.

Is it legal to buy a gun for someone else?

I've been thinking about buying my wife a gun for Christmas, but the application specifically asks if you're buying it for yourself. I wasn't sure if you can answer "no", and still go through with the purchase.
I know "straw man" purchases are illegal, but I wasn't sure what the deal was with buying a gun for someone who can legally own it. I have friends who I know have been surprised with gun gifts, but sadly "my friend did it" and "it's legal" are not always the same thing.
Usually I'd just have her come in, but Christmas presents are supposed to be a surprise. I can always get it for her later.

1-DAB · December 11, 2012, 02:43 PM

write a little note: this is your new gun honey. take her shopping afterwards.

**Tom Servo** · December 11, 2012, 02:49 PM

If you are buying the gun with your own money, you may later give it as a gift. You will answer "yes" to question 11a.

A straw purchase is when you act as a proxy buyer, which is completely different than gifting.

**Spats McGee** · December 11, 2012, 02:57 PM

Under federal law, it's entirely legal. See Tom Servo's Post.

357 Python · December 11, 2012, 11:27 PM

It is legal to buy someone who is not prohibited a gun. On the form you are saying you are the legal buyer. Years ago my parents bought me several guns for Christmas. Eight years ago I bought my step-son a Remington 870 Express for his high school graduation gift.

dayman · December 13, 2012, 06:10 AM

Cool. And, thanks.
That's what I thought, but I wanted to avoid any impropriety. Now I just have to find the right one.

December 11, 2012, 02:41 PM	#1
dayman Senior Member Join Date: April 18, 2011 Location: The Woods Posts: 1,197	Gifts. I had a question that my internet searching was unable to answer to m satisfaction. Is it legal to buy a gun for someone else? I've been thinking about buying my wife a gun for Christmas, but the application specifically asks if you're buying it for yourself. I wasn't sure if you can answer "no", and still go through with the purchase. I know "straw man" purchases are illegal, but I wasn't sure what the deal was with buying a gun for someone who can legally own it. I have friends who I know have been surprised with gun gifts, but sadly "my friend did it" and "it's legal" are not always the same thing. Usually I'd just have her come in, but Christmas presents are supposed to be a surprise. I can always get it for her later. __________________ si vis pacem para bellum

December 11, 2012, 02:49 PM	#3
Tom Servo Staff Join Date: September 27, 2008 Location: Foothills of the Appalachians Posts: 13,059	If you are buying the gun with your own money, you may later give it as a gift. You will answer "yes" to question 11a. A straw purchase is when you act as a proxy buyer, which is completely different than gifting. __________________ Sometimes it’s nice not to destroy the world for a change. --Randall Munroe

December 11, 2012, 02:57 PM	#4
Spats McGee Staff Join Date: July 28, 2010 Location: Arkansas Posts: 8,821	Under federal law, it's entirely legal. See Tom Servo's Post. __________________ I'm a lawyer, but I'm not your lawyer. If you need some honest-to-goodness legal advice, go buy some.

December 13, 2012, 06:10 AM	#6
dayman Senior Member Join Date: April 18, 2011 Location: The Woods Posts: 1,197	Cool. And, thanks. That's what I thought, but I wanted to avoid any impropriety. Now I just have to find the right one. __________________ si vis pacem para bellum

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December 11, 2012, 02:43 PM	#2
1-DAB Senior Member Join Date: May 5, 2010 Location: Santa Fe, NM Posts: 474	write a little note: this is your new gun honey. take her shopping afterwards.

December 11, 2012, 11:27 PM	#5
357 Python Senior Member Join Date: June 7, 2007 Location: Charlottesville, VA Posts: 941	It is legal to buy someone who is not prohibited a gun. On the form you are saying you are the legal buyer. Years ago my parents bought me several guns for Christmas. Eight years ago I bought my step-son a Remington 870 Express for his high school graduation gift.