NSSF®, The Firearm Industry Trade Association, together with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) and the Department of Justice (DOJ), announced a month-long public education campaign reminding the Greater St. Louis area public about stiff penalties facing individuals convicted of unlawful firearm purchases. The “Don’t Lie for the Other Guy” campaign is in its 23rd year and drives home the message that anyone making an illegal firearm purchase faces a federal felony penalty of up to 15 years in prison and up to $250,000 in fines. An additional 15 years can be added if the illegal straw purchase is made with the intent of trafficking across state lines. The program is funded in full by the firearm industry and will now also include federal funding allocated to ATF by Congress. St. Louis was chosen for this specific campaign by ATF.
“The firearm industry has always been fully committed to keeping firearms out of the hands of those who should not possess them. We are proud to launch this public awareness campaign in St. Louis and of our more than two-decade cooperative relationship with ATF, DOJ and the entire law enforcement community to assist them in their efforts to reduce criminal acquisition of firearms,” said NSSF President and CEO Joe Bartozzi.
The St. Louis area “Don’t Lie” campaign will total nearly 43 million gross media impressions. This includes more than 25 outdoor billboards, digital bulletin boards and posters in key locations throughout the region with the message: “Buy a gun for someone who can’t and buy yourself 15 years in jail. Don’t Lie for the Other Guy.” The campaign also includes more than 1,000 radio spots and more than 2.5 million targeted geofenced online mobile advertisements on Facebook and Instagram.
To legally purchase a firearm, a person must pass an FBI National Instant Criminal Background Check System verification, or NICS check, and fully comply with all state and local laws. When a criminal is illegally trafficking in firearms or knows they cannot pass this check, they may try to induce a friend or acquaintance to make the purchase for them. This is an illegal straw purchase and is a felony.
The “Don’t Lie for the Other Guy” program also involves educating firearm retailers to better detect and prevent illegal straw purchases by providing “Don’t Lie for the Other Guy” retailer kits containing a training video and information for storeowners and staff, as well as point-of-purchase displays aimed to deter illegal straw purchasers.
Learn more about “Don’t Lie for the Other Guy” at www.dontlie.org.
