In recent years, the increase in the number of school shootings and other mass shootings has led many to call for new gun control laws to be put in place to help prevent these tragedies. Congress recently passed the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act, which was meant to improve gun safety and reduce potential threats to children and other members of communities throughout the United States. While this law has included several measures that may help address mental health and prevent gun violence from occurring, it may also increase the likelihood that people may face federal criminal charges related to the use, ownership, and sale of firearms.
Potential Criminal Charges Under the BSCA
The gun safety law has increased the penalties for certain types of federal weapons offenses, and it has also created some new crimes at the federal level that may apply to those who purchase or sell firearms. The changes made by the law include:
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Straw purchasing of firearms - This offense was created by the BSCA, and it involves purchasing a firearm on behalf of someone who is not permitted to own firearms because they are a convicted felon, have been committed to a mental institution, have been convicted of domestic violence, or are subject to an order of protection preventing them from stalking, harassing, or threatening an intimate partner or family member. A conviction of this offense can result in a prison sentence of up to 15 years, although the maximum sentence may be increased to 25 years if a straw purchase was made when a person had reasonable cause to believe that a firearm would be used to commit a felony or a drug trafficking crime or engage in terrorism.
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