[cpursley]

Since when have criminals been able to legally purchase firearms?

[judge2020]

The ones never caught don’t have issues with background checks.

[OminousWeapons]

What happens is you get people without records making straw purchases from legal sellers. These people turn around and sell them to criminals.

[_-david-_]

Legal sellers have to do background checks.

[OminousWeapons]

Correct, the initial transaction is from a legal dealer or private seller to a legal buyer who will pass a background check. The legal buyer then turns around and illegally sells it to someone who cannot legally own a firearm. This is called a straw purchase.

[iamben]

It's a lot easier to get something illegally when it's legally available and ubiquitous.