NEW LAW INCREASES PENALTY FOR STRAW PURCHASERS

A new law goes into effect Thursday (today) increasing the penalty for straw purchase in Minnesota.  The law will up the penalty for straw purchases of firearms from a misdemeanor to a felony.  The new law will make it easier to prosecute straw purchasers.  The bill does include language that allows for defense in case of coercion which means, in theory, the defense would allow someone a legal defense if they purchased a weapon under a threat of harm to themselves or a loved one.  A straw purchase is the illegal buying of a gun by a person on behalf of another person.