States such as Ohio, Nebraska, Oregon, and Delaware have individual straw purchase laws. In the aftermath of Friday's verdict, a flurry of responses and reactions to the ruling restated longstanding myths and misinformation surrounding the trial and Rittenhouse's actions on August 25, 2020. In order to complete the purchase of these firearms, she represented that she was the actual buyer of these firearms when in fact she was not. When a person buys a gun intending to later sell it to someone else, the government often prosecutes the initial buyer under 18 U.S.C. Remington's Nylon 66 semi-automatic .22 LR rifles have grown from 1950s bargain buys to 21st century collectors darlings. Every cowboy needs a revolver. On January 13, 2022, Zastrow purchased two firearms in Wisconsin Rapids. The U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives provided assistance. Commercial Contract Review, Drafting, and Negotiation, Employment Contracts and Non-Compete Agreements, Data Breaches / Cybersecurity Civil Defense, Identity Theft / Internet Fraud Charges Defense, Governmental Licensing, Compliance and Administrative Review, Professional Licensing and Disciplinary Defense. . Graap is charged with first-degree intentional homicide, first-degree reckless homicide, possessing a firearm as a convicted felon, and two counts of second-degree recklessly endangering safety. A "straw" purchase is a firearm purchase when one person buys the firearm with the intent of giving the gun to another person for their primary use. This offense is known as a straw purchase. The person Zastrow provided the firearms is prohibited by law from possessing firearms as a result of previous felony convictions and allegedly used one of the firearms purchased by Zastrow to commit a homicide. 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An investigation by law enforcement revealed that she purchased the firearms from an individual who accompanied her to the store and provided her with cash at the time of the purchase. The Khindri brothers who own the dealership denied this under oath, but multiple other witnesses testified against them, backing Rittenhouse's version. Even if gun dealers dont end up following through on the transaction, a survey of a random sample of 1,601 licensed dealers during the summer of 2011 found that more than two-thirds 67.3 percent had experienced attempted straw purchases. How Can Employers Avoid Accusations of Wrongful Termination? That person also allegedly used one of the firearms purchased by Zastrow to commit a homicide. The case was brought forward through a multi-jurisdiction effort between law enforcement in Lincoln and Wood counties along with the FBI. Lock Firearm Gifts Legal Considerations . How Old Do You Have to be to Buy a Gun in Wisconsin? Should I Move Out of My Home During My Divorce? Instead, Ritchie passed the guns off to Victor Pennington in exchange for meth. This case has been brought as part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), the U.S. Justice Departments program to reduce violent crime. Epic 22 Pocket Pistol: The Beretta 71 Jaguar. By clicking Sign up, you agree to receive marketing emails from Insider Judge Conley also reasoned that a prison sentence was warranted given the defendants poor performance on pre-trial release and nominal efforts to confront her methamphetamine addiction. Every time the left tries to harm innocent law abiding citizens, it runs the risk of conservative Americans lashing out. March 23, 2018: Valentine purchased two handguns from a dealer at Bob and Roccos Gun Show in Onalaska, Wisc. A .gov website belongs to an official government organization in the United States. He was acquitted on all counts. Similarly, those acting as a human holster for a criminal would be subject to a felony. This offense is known as a straw purchase. The person Zastrow provided the firearms is prohibited by law from possessing firearms as a result of previous felony convictions and allegedly used one of the firearms purchased by Zastrow to commit a homicide. This crime is being prosecuted more vigorously as of late, and comes with a potential for a very long prison sentence. Scott Walker on Wednesday approved a measure touted as making it easier to prosecute illegal straw purchasing of firearms in the state. A 2015 survey of gun owners conducted by researchers at Harvard and Northeastern universities estimated that as many as 380,000 weapons are lost or stolen each year. Criminals were very aware of these loopholes, said state Sen. Alberta Darling, R-River Hills. Judge Conley also reasoned that a prison sentence was warranted given the defendants poor performance on pre-trial release and nominal efforts to confront her methamphetamine addiction. After he pleaded not guilty to the initial charges in January 2021, prosecutors said Rittenhouse went to a bar in Mount Pleasant, Wisconsin, where he posed for photos with members said to be of the Proud Boys while flashing a "white power" hand signal. Wisconsin resident KIRK VALENTINE purchased the firearms at retail stores, pawn shops and gun shows, and falsely certified on required forms that he was the actual buyer, according to an indictment returned in U.S. District Court in Chicago. MADISON, WIS. - Timothy M. O'Shea, United States Attorney for the Western District of Wisconsin, announced that Ashley Zastrow, 32, Merrill, Wisconsin was sentenced yesterday by U.S. District Judge William M. Conley to 1 year and 1 day in federal prison for making false statements during the purchase of two firearms. Gaige Grosskreutz, a then-27-year-old EMT who survived being shot by Rittenhouse, testified during the trial, telling the jury that he frequently attended demonstrations as a volunteer medic and chose not to affiliate with any particular side. Official websites use .gov This prison term will be followed by a 3-year term of supervised release. First, contrary to what most people think, no Federal Law prohibits you from buying a gun as a gift for someone else. CHICAGO A Chicago resident has been sentenced to eight years in federal prison for setting fire to the Boost Mobile Store Eastern Division Federal law criminalizes making false statements about a material fact on ATF forms and criminalizes presenting false identification when purchasing a firearm. Circumstantial vs. Johnson. A straw purchase is when you purchase a firearm at the behest of another person. MADISON, WIS. Timothy M. OShea, United States Attorney for the Western District of Wisconsin, announced that Ashley Zastrow, 32, Merrill, Wisconsinwas sentenced yesterday by U.S. District Judge William M. Conley to 1 year and 1 day in federal prison formaking false statements during the purchase of two firearms. Who Can't Buy a Gun in Wisconsin? Email notifications are only sent once a day, and only if there are new matching items. Pennington will be sentenced for his role in the incident (one count of distributing meth) next January. The bill, SB 408, was among 41 signed by the Republican without comment this week. The backers of the proposal, which passed the legislature on a voice vote, say the move was requested by the Milwaukee Police Department. "In sentencing Zastrow, U.S. District Judge William M. Conley stated that she made a disastrous choice to transfer firearms to a prohibited person and could not ignore the fact that this choice contributed to a womans death. You have permission to edit this article. 922(a)(6) prohibits any person from making false written or oral statements regarding any material fact in the sale of a firearm or ammunition to a licensed importer, manufacturer, dealer, or collector of firearms. 924(a)(1)(A). There was a problem saving your notification. But Rittenhouse's possession of the firearm at the time was technically legal. CHICAGO Two men have been indicted on federal firearm charges for conspiring to straw purchase 19 handguns in Wisconsin and re-sell them in Chicago. Rockford: (815) 987-4444. By signing up you agree to Guns.com's Classic Browning Light Twelve Auto-5 Review: Busting Clays With the Old Humpback Shotgun. Direct Evidence in Wisconsin Criminal Cases. The law raises the maximum penalty for the illegal straw purchasing of guns under state law from a $10,000 fine and nine months in jail to six years in prison. The charge against Zastrow was the result of an investigation conducted by the Lincoln County Sheriffs Office, Merrill Police Department, andFederal Bureau of Investigation, with the assistance of the Marshfield Police Department. This crime is being prosecuted more vigorously as of late, and comes with a potential for a very long prison sentence. was on the University of Wisconsin Pistol Team for four . Chicago, a much larger city but with similarly high murder rate, recovered 247 guns per 100,000 people. A locked padlock This case has been brought as part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), the U.S. Justice Departments program to reduce violent crime. To complete the purchase,she represented that she was the actual buyer of these firearms when in fact she was not. The 29-year-old Indiana man allegedly acted as a straw purchaser to buy the firearm used to kill Chicago police Officer Ella French. of Justice: Merrill woman sentenced to prison for making false statements during purchase of firearms. MADISON, WIS. Timothy M. OShea, United States Attorney for the Western District of Wisconsin, announced that Ashley Zastrow, 32, Merrill, Wisconsin was sentenced yesterday by U.S. District Judge William M. Conley to 1 year and 1 day in federal prison for making false statements during the purchase of two firearms. Short answer: it depends. Federally licensed firearm dealers are required to perform background checks for those seeking to buy a firearm. Section 941.2905 - Straw purchasing of firearms (1) Whoever intentionally furnishes, purchases, or possesses a firearm for a person, knowing that the person is prohibited from possessing a firearm under s. 941.29 (1m), is guilty of a Class G felony. Authorities argued that arming prosecutors with the ability to go after those obtaining or holding firearms for those who are legally barred from having them will help cut down on gun crime in the city. The straw purchaser violates both of these laws by pretending to be the actual gun buyer when the purpose is to give the gun to another. Despite the federal prohibition and state-level legislation, many gun control advocates and experts say the illegal transactions still happen regularly. But Rittenhouse has never publicly identified as a member of any extremist group. Black said he used Rittenhouse's . Democrats hope they can bring a gun violence package to the floor the week of June 20. The civil rights attorney Ben Crump, who is representing the Blake family, falsely described Rittenhouse on Friday as a "self-declared white nationalist." . Ritchie will also serve extended supervision after his release. Your intent is to act as the agent. During the legislative process for SB 408, law enforcement representatives from Wisconsins largest city testified to lawmakers that officers in Milwaukee recovered more guns per capita than in Chicago. The person that Zastrow bought the firearms for was a convicted felon. In states where there is no specific law prohibiting a straw purchase, the federal law will apply. 219 S. Dearborn St., 5th Floor Zastrow's prison term will be followed by a 3-year stint on supervised release. Rittenhouse's defense attorneys characterized Rosenbaum as a "rioter," and even the lead prosecutor said in his closing statement he would have prosecuted Rosenbaum for arson had he not been fatally shot. Video of 17-year-old Kyle. The teenager pleaded not guilty to all five counts and testified that he acted in self-defense, saying the men he shot were attacking him. Wisconsin resident KIRK VALENTINE purchased the firearms at retail stores, pawn shops and gun shows, and falsely certified on required forms that he was the actual buyer, according to an indictment returned in U.S. District Court in Chicago. March 8, 2018: Valentine purchased three handguns at Gander Outdoors in Onalaska, Wisc. Both the purchaser and the intended buyer are criminally liable under these statutes; the actual buyer is criminally liable for aiding and abetting the straw purchase, and for causing another to make false statements. Thanks to Governor Walker, prosecutors should be able to make gun charges stick and get dangerous criminals off the streets.. The jury's verdict in the case, handed down on October 13, 2015, found that a gun shop employee acted negligentlyand . The campaign was designed to prevent and discourage illegal straw purchases. Graap will next be in court again on May 8th at 11 a.m. for a Motion hearing. Ashley Zastrow will serve one year and one day in federal prison for presenting herself as the buyer of the handguns when in fact she was not. If they ask you to buy it, fill out the 4473 in your name, and then pay you . Here is the reason. A small number of states also penalize the actual buyer in straw purchases. Generally, secretly purchasing a gun on someone else's behalf from a gun dealer, called a straw purchase, is illegal. You should know the laws that apply to buying firearms as gifts for another person. Reports of thefts to police are much lower: they totalled about 240,000 in 2016, according to the FBI's National Crime Information Center, which derives its figures from data provided by local law enforcement. A straw purchase, as defined by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, involves someone who purchases a gun for someone who is prohibited by law from possessing one or. Straw purchasers and firearm traffickers enable unlawful possession of guns and the violence that may follow, said John R. Lausch, Jr., United States Attorney for the Northern District of Illinois. This case is the latest example of the daily work police officers, federal agents and United States Attorneys are doing to safeguard communities and create a culture of accountability for gun offenders.. For instance, if a father were to buy his son a firearm and didn't plan on being the owner and primary user of the weapon himself, it would qualify as a straw purchase. Straw buying is a felony in progressive Connecticut, albeit one in the second-least-serious order of felonies. Scott Walker on Wednesday approved a measure touted as making it easier to prosecute illegal straw purchasing of firearms in the state. You are the original buyer, yet you have no intent to own the gun. MADISON, WIS. - Timothy M. O'Shea, United States Attorney for the Western District of Wisconsin, announced that Ashley Zastrow, 32, Merrill, Wisconsin was sentenced yesterday by U.S. District Judge William M. Conley to 1 year and 1 day in federal prison for making false statements during the purchase of two firearms. Chicago, IL 60604 A straw purchase typically involves one person buying a gun for someone else, usually because the other person cannot pass a background check or does not want a record of the purchase in their name. Giving someone a firearm carries a certain level of legal responsibility that does not come with gifting iPads or socks. The bill, SB 408, was among 41 signed by. MADISON, WI (WSAU) A Schofield man will serve two years in federal prison for making false statements to secure the purchase of a firearm for another man. Here are the states where residents will pay the biggest share of their income I never realized: Airbnb hosts warn of scam taking advantage of Shark Tanks Kevin OLeary blasts Ocasio-Cortez: She kills jobs by the Florida bill would require bloggers to register before writing about DeSantis, Trump collaborates on song with Jan. 6 defendants. Ashley Zastrow, 32, purchased two firearms in Wisconsin Rapids on Jan. 13, 2022. The judge noted that the prosecution did not find any evidence of his affiliation with a white supremacist group in phone records or social media history, and as Michelle Mark previously reported, ruled the trip to the bar was not relevant to the 2020 shooting. Top editors give you the stories you want delivered right to your inbox each weekday. GRGB Law serves people in the greater Milwaukee area and all of SE Wisconsin, as well as Midstate Wisconsin and throughout the state, including: You do not have JavaScript enabled. The barrels under 16 inches should've only applied to 18 year old+ who were legally allowed to carry. An investigation by law enforcement revealed that she purchased these firearms for an individual who accompanied her to the store and provided her with cash at the time of purchase. of Justice: Merrill woman sentenced to prison for making false statements during purchase of firearms, WisPolitics luncheon with Gov. MADISON, WIS. - Timothy M. O'Shea, United States Attorney for the Western District of Wisconsin, announced that Ashley Zastrow, 32, Merrill, Wisconsin was sentenced yesterday by U.S. District Judge William M. Conley to 1 year and 1 day in federal prison for making false statements during the purchase of two firearms. This indictment demonstrates the FBIs commitment to working with our law enforcement and prosecutorial partners to help stop the flow of illegal guns into our neighborhoods., We are going to continue to use the full weight of the Chicago Police Department and U.S. Justice Department to send a clear message that we will not tolerate the proliferation and use of illegal guns in Chicago, said CPD Supt. April 13, 2018: Valentine purchased a handgun at Big Rooster Firearms in Sparta, Wisc. In order to complete the purchase of these firearms, she represented that she was the actual buyer of these firearms when in fact she was not. An investigation by law enforcement revealed that she purchased these firearms for an individual who accompanied her to the store and provided her with cash at the time of purchase. The PSN approach involves collaboration by federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies, prosecutors and communities to prevent and deter gun violence. U.S. Attorney Lausch announced the charges along with Jeffrey S. Sallet, Special Agent-in-Charge of the Chicago office of the FBI, and Eddie Johnson, Superintendent of the Chicago Police Department. In the lawsuit, Ellison ask for "strengthened oversight of Fleet Farm's operations and increased training to prevent sales of guns to straw purchasers." The attorney general also wants Fleet Farm . In order to complete the purchase of the firearms, she represented that she was the actual buyer of these firearms when she was not. The family has a 13-acre property with an old gravel pit used as a gun range. Purchasing firearms for people prohibited from owning them, commonly known as straw purchases, would be a felony in Wisconsin if a newly introduced bill is passed into law. Project Safe Neighborhoodsis a nationwide initiativeto reduce gun violence and violent crime in neighborhoods across the country. If you are being charged with making a straw purchase or with any other gun crime, contact our skilled Milwaukee criminal defense attorneys, who have defended many of these types of cases and are ready to defend you and protect your rights. Seven states have laws that penalize sellers who transfer firearms to traffickers under certain circumstances, according to Giffords, a gun violence advocacy group. . She disputed the defense attorney's characterization of Huber as a "rioter" or "looter." Court documents showed the Smith & Wesson M&P 15 rifle was purchased by Black on May 1 at Ladysmith Ace . Straw purchasing firearms is not a victimless crime, said FBI Assistant SAC Larry L. Lapp. Any violations of these laws can result in a 10-year prison sentence and fines up to $250,000. Walker signed the measure bumping up the penalty for an illegal straw purchase of a gun under Wisconsin law from nine months to six years in prison. 922 (a)(6) for making a false statement about the identity of the buyer that is "material to the lawfulness of the sale." These prosecutions rely on the court-created "straw purchaser" doctrine, a legal fiction that treats the ultimate recipient of a firearm . WisPolitics.com & WisBusiness.com: The clean energy shift is underway: How will the Inflation Reduction Act accelerate the transition? This is not John Waynes revolver it is a modern work of art! People 18 years of age and older are eligible to purchase long guns, while handguns are only eligible to be purchased by those of the age 21 years and older. Have the latest local news delivered every afternoon so you don't miss out on updates. There was an error processing your request. NIBIN is the only national network that allows for the capture and comparison of ballistic evidence to aid in solving and preventing violent crimes involving firearms. Assembly Bill 524 and its counterpart, Senate Bill 408, were introduced in August by state Rep. Joe Sanfelippo, R-New Berlin, and Sen. Alberta Darling, R-River Hills. Judge Conley also reasoned that a prison sentence was warranted given the defendants poor performance on pre-trial release and nominal efforts to confront her methamphetamine addiction. A lock ( "We are doubling down on our efforts across the DMV to prosecute any and all straw purchasing cases. 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Kyle Rittenhouse's trial has returned again and again to the semiautomatic rifle he used to kill two men and wound a third during the unrest in Kenosha, Wis., last year. First Criminal Conviction for Spoofing May Increas New Challenge to the Informing the Accused Form, Foiled Crimes: The Crime of Attempt in Wisconsin, Welfare Drug Testing and the Constitution. Since then, a number of straw buyers have faced a mandatory five-year minimum sentence under its guidelines. Everytown for Gun Safety and other gun control groups have called on Congress to strengthen laws governing gun trafficking and straw purchases. This is illegal. Access your favorite topics in a personalized feed while you're on the go. The weapon Rittenhouse used to shoot the three men was obtained in what many would consider a "straw purchase" arms sale. There was a problem saving your notification. MADISON, WI (WSAU) A Merrill woman has been sentenced for making false statements to secure the purchase of two firearms, a practice known as a straw purchase. (2) The prohibition in sub. WisPolitics.com DC breakfast with U.S. Rep. Mark Pocan, WisPolitics luncheon with Marquette University Law School Poll Director Charles Franklin. Law enforcement agents call people who buy guns for those who aren't legally . MADISON, WI (WSAU) A Merrill woman has been sentenced for making false statements to secure the purchase of two firearms, a practice known as a straw purchase. A judge ordered the release Wednesday of the Indiana man charged by the feds with acting as the so-called straw purchaser of the gun that killed Chicago Police Officer Ella French and drew the ire of the city's top cop. Seven years earlier, a study found as many as half of dealers from large U.S. cities expressed a willingness to participate in such a purchase. U.S. Attorney's Office, Northern District of Illinois, Law Enforcement Coordinating Committee (LECC), Two Men Indicted in Scheme to Straw Purchase Firearms in Wisconsin and Re-Sell Them in Chicago, Federal Judge Sentences Rockford Man to More Than Five Years in Prison for Illegally Possessing Firearm in Rockford, Federal Inmate Sentenced to More Than Seven Years in Prison for Assaulting Federal Correctional Officer, Chicago Man Sentenced to Eight Years for Setting Fire to Cell Phone Store, Two Men Indicted In Scheme To Straw Purchase Firearms In Wisconsin and Re Sell Them In Chicago. Here's what it's like to shoot this classic scattergun. The motives of Joseph Rosenbaum, 36, were less clear that night. A straw purchase occurs when somebody purchases a firearm for another person while pretending to purchase it for personal use. Help us combat the proliferation of sexual exploitation crimes against children. "Why was he there? After providing personal information, question 21 - made up of 11 "yes" or "no" sub-questions - begins by asking "Are you the actual transferee/buyer of the firearm (s) listed on this form . Stay up to date with what you want to know. You have permission to edit this article.