High Court: 'Straw' Gun Purchases Illegal

The Supreme Court on Monday deemed "straw" purchases of firearms illegal, delivering a huge win to advocates of stricter gun controls, reports The Hill .

In a 5-4 decision, the court concluded that one legal gun owner may not acquire a firearm on behalf of another. Instead, the majority ruled, all gun owners must undergo a federally mandated background check before obtaining firearms from licensed dealers.

The case, Abramski v. United States, centered on a former police officer who bought a Glock 19 handgun for his uncle. Though both men were allowed to own guns, Bruce Abramski claimed on forms that he was the "actual transferee/buyer" of the weapon. He was convicted of making false statements after law enforcers, investigating his involvement in another crime, came upon the receipt.