WHEREAS, Gun violence continues to be a major public health and safety issue in Philadelphia, with devastating effects on individuals, families, and communities; and
WHEREAS, The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives outlines a straw purchase as involving someone who purchases a gun for someone who is prohibited by law from possessing one or for someone who does not want their name associated with the transaction; and
WHEREAS, The issue of straw purchasing has been identified as a major source of firearms trafficking and gun violence in Philadelphia. Policies targeting straw purchasing can complement broader gun control efforts by closing potential loopholes in existing regulations and help to mitigate gun-related violence; and
WHEREAS, The prosecution of illegal straw purchases has been identified as a critical component in preventing gun violence, deterring future crimes, and improving public safety. And prosecuting gun cases can help disrupt and dismantle illegal gun trafficking networks and criminal enterprises involved in the illegal firearms trade. In 2022, the Office of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms identified two separate straw purchasing operations in what is called the “Iron Pipeline,” buying guns in bulk and routing them into northern states, resulting in the arrest and prosecution of those running the operation; and
WHEREAS, Although we are seeing a 14% decline in gun violence in 2023 compared to the same time in 2022, Philadelphia continues to face unacceptably high rates of homicides and other firearm-related crimes; and
WHEREAS, There is an urgent need to examine existing efforts to address straw purchasing and the prosecution of gun cases, and to consider further action that might reduce the number of illegal firearms in the city of Philadelphia; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, THAT THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA, Authorizes the Special Committee on Gun Violence to conduct hearings to examine strategies to address straw purchasing and the prosecution of gun cases to prevent gun violence
End