Section 6182 - Legislative findings and declarationsThe General Assembly finds and declares that:
(1) The illegal purchase of firearms throughout this Commonwealth is a threat to public safety and security.(2) Urban areas are experiencing increased violence as a result of criminal misuse of firearms. Stemming the flow of these illegal firearms through straw purchases will help to curb the crime rate throughout this Commonwealth and increase public safety.(3) Educating the public that illegally purchasing a firearm for someone otherwise prohibited from possessing one is a serious crime and punishable under Federal law by ten years' imprisonment advances public safety.(4) Committed to educating firearms dealers and the general public, the National Shooting Sports Foundation, in partnership with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, in July 2000 created the "Don't Lie for the Other Guy Program."(5) The "Don't Lie for the Other Guy Program" was developed to raise public awareness that it is a serious crime to purchase a firearm for someone who cannot legally do so and to educate firearms dealers on how to better detect and deter potential straw purchases. The campaign delivers the message that anyone attempting an illegal firearm purchase faces a stiff Federal penalty.(6) The "Don't Lie for the Other Guy Program" is vital to educating federally licensed firearms dealers and their employees on how to recognize and deter the illegal purchase of firearms through straw purchases. This program is an important tool for the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives to pursue its mission of preventing terrorism, reducing violent crime and protecting the public.(7) The nationally recognized "Don't Lie for the Other Guy Program" has been endorsed by United States attorneys throughout the nation, various law enforcement agencies, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Department of Justice.(8) It is in the best interest of this Commonwealth to establish a straw purchase prevention education program within the Office of Attorney General to provide resources and direct grant money to the "Don't Lie for the Other Guy Program" and similar programs that offer straw purchase prevention education.2008, Oct. 17, P.L. 1628, No. 131, §8, effective in 60 days [ 12/16/2008].