What would you think about this?

[Quarks]

Guys, I was thinking about this for a little bit and I'm wondering what the rest of you would think about it. I'm no fan of more gun laws, I think we have more than enough and should start getting rid of them. The problem is that I found an area that I think does need to be addressed.

Let me give the background. Last week a man with a PFA (protection from abuse order) against him (here in PA that means forfeiture of weapons and ability to purchase) went to his former wife's home with a handgun and took their child at gunpoint. Part of his stated intentions was to kill his family. A police pursuit ensued which ended with the police (both local and state) rushing the car to save the child. The child was successfully brought from the vehicle. Unfortunately during the event, 2 State Troopers were shot, one fatally. (before the questions start, they were wearing vests. Apparently the bullet ricocheted off of the trauma plate into his neck) The perp was removed from the gene pool.

Here's my problem. The firearm was purchased by the guys girlfriend last month. Apparently, the woman did a straw purchase for him because he can't buy a gun.

Now to my question. Would you guys think it would be OK for there to be a law that a person who does a straw purchase (seems to be happening more and more) for a weapon used in a crime to also be charged with that crime? As an example, this woman would be charged with kidnapping and murder. I think something like this would be an actual deterrent. What do you guys think?

I'm of 2 minds on this.

If they can prove that she knew he was going to do something anti-social (moreso than just an "improper person" in possession of a firearm) then, yeah, prosecute her for all its worth. But then there are already laws on the books to cover that (conspiracy, aiding & abetting, etc.).

It's kind of like my cousin loaning his car to his brother who has had a license suspension, & then the brother going out & robbing a liquor store with it. Do you prosecute the cousin for armed robbery? Yes, the cousin shouldn't have given up the keys. What he did was wrong (giving his keys to someone he KNOWS had a license suspension) but was he just doing one of those "favours" for his brother, thinking the brother was just running out for a pack of smokes, or did he KNOW (or have a strong suspicion) that the brother was going to knock off the liquor store?

Hard to prove knowledge/intent. And, as with the so-called "hate crimes" legislation, I don't want the authorities wriggling around in someone's head making life-altering decisions based on what they THINK he was thinking & when they THINK he was thinking it.

As at least one other poster said, she's already guilty of a straw purchase. Hitting her with that is probably the best we can do under the circumstances.