The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms (ATF) defines the straw purchase of firearms as "purchasing a gun for someone who is prohibited by law from possessing one, or for someone who does not want his or her name associated with the transaction."City officials have tried to enact tougher policies aimed at curbing the practice but were Other cities and states have found ways to push back on illegal trafficking. The issue has attracted federal attention, too. The Bipartisan Safer Communities Act passed last summer, stiffened penalties for straw purchasing.We zoom in on the issue in Philadelphia and Pennsylvania, before getting the nationwide picture from the ATF director.Want to support 1A? Give to your local public radio station and subscribe to this podcast. Have questions? Find us on Twitter @1A.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy