Council Passes “Straw Purchaser” Ordinance

Chicago's City Council is increasing jail time for anyone who fails to report guns that have been lost, stolen or sold.

Wednesday's vote on an ordinance proposed by Mayor Rahm Emanuel is part of an effort by city and county officials to crack down on so-called straw purchasers. Those are people who legally buy weapons and then provide them to convicted felons and others who are barred from owning firearms

Earlier this month, the Cook County Board of Commissioners approved an ordinance that imposes fines of as much as $2,000 on suburban residents who don't report when their guns are lost, stolen or transferred to someone else.

Wednesday's ordinance by the City Council doubles the maximum sentence for failing to make such a report from three months to six months.

Copyright AP - Associated Press
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