That is true. He cannot purchase a firearm from a private party out of state without it going through an FFL. He cannot have a handgun transferred to him by an FFL because of his age. He cannot receive it as a gift from an out of state party either, because even an out of state gift must go through an FFL. If the firearm is transferred to his girlfriend by an FFL, and she intends to receive compensation from him for that firearm when the transfer occurs, it is a straw purchase.
It is not a straw purchase only under two conditions: 1. She purchases it with the specific purpose and intention of giving it to him as a true gift - no compensation at all for the firearm. 2. She purchases it for herself, with no intention of giving it or selling it to him. After she has it in her own personal collection and then decides to sell it to him, then it is a private party sale.
His statement "and thats how i went about getting all my others. my girlfriend buys them and gives them to me as a 'gift' " would indicate very stongly, especially since he put gift in quotes "gift", that she is conducted straw purchases. Or it would indicate that he has a very generous girlfriend.
So, yes DD, you are correct about the straw purchases. Sorry if I nit-pick words, I used to be a nuke in the Navy - other nukes will know where I am coming from
and, in some states, he cannot purchase or receive it as a gift from a private party, because state law may require private party sales/gifts to go through an FFL - California for all guns, PA for handguns come to mind quickly.