These scenario-based videos were developed to help educate firearm retailers to be better able to identify and deter illegal straw purchases and to raise public awareness that straw purchasing is a serious crime.

Understanding the importance of cooperating with law enforcement, the firearms industry through NSSF, the firearm industry trade association, in coordination with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), the Department of Justice (DOJ) and Office of Justice Programs (OJP) launched Don't Lie for the Other Guy, a national campaign to prevent and discourage illegal "straw man" purchases of firearms, in July 2000.

At the same time, the public in cities across the country has learned the severe consequences of illegally purchasing a firearm for someone who cannot legally possess one or does not want to have his or her name associated with the transaction.

The Message

Convicted felons, minors, persons determined by a court of law to be "mentally defective" and certain others are prohibited by law from buying a firearm.

If a friend or relative asks you to lie to the federal government or to a federally licensed firearms retailer to try to buy a gun for him/her, don't do it! It's not worth 15 years in jail.