ATF and Law Enforcement Launch Anti-Gun Trafficking Campaign in South Florida
The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), in collaboration with the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Florida and various South Florida law enforcement agencies, has initiated a public education campaign. This initiative, titled 'Don’t Lie for the Other Guy™,' aims to raise awareness about the severe penalties associated with illegal firearm purchases, commonly known as straw purchases. The campaign emphasizes that individuals convicted of such offenses face federal felony charges, carrying potential sentences of up to 15 years in prison and fines up to $250,000. An additional charge can be applied if the straw purchase is intended for trafficking across state lines. This program, now in its 26th year, is a cooperative effort between the firearms industry, retailers, ATF, the Department of Justice (DOJ), and state and local law enforcement, with funding from the firearm industry and federal allocations to the ATF by Congress. South Florida has been selected as a key r...