“I fail to see the problem here.
IF the person BUYING the gun checks out with the gun dealer, what the BUYER does with the gun after that is of no concern to the dealer!
This is like someone buying a car, then giving it to his worthless nephew, who robs a bank and uses it to escape, then the car dealer getting sued for selling the car in the first place! Makes NO F’N SENSE!!!!!”
Usually, in these “Bloom-stings”, they have the straw-purchasers make statements that quite plainly show they intend to give the gun to someone else. The gun-dealers at that point, if they hear such a statement, are required to warn the purchaser that it is illegal to purchase a firearm for someone who is not eligible to have one. Also, if they intend to give it as a gift to someone who IS eligible, they have to fill out a portion of the Form 4473 that is specifically for that purpose and which the identity of the person receiving the gift firearm is listed.
I guess some of the gun-dealers did not do so, and are the subject of those lawsuits. The problem with that is that the gun-dealer might have been under investigation by the BATFE and/or Virginia Police, and because of the lawsuit they become super-cautious, ruining the investigation.
4473 asks the buyer if he indeed is the actual recipient/purchaser and even gives examples of straw purchases on page 4.
If Bloomie’s minions answered Form 4473 truthfully then there is no way the dealer ever should have sold the gun.
If they lied on the 4473 then the fake purchasers should be thrown in jail.
I can’t find this gifting section of the 4473 which you mentioned in your post. Where is it?