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June 21, 2022

Philadelphia Campaign Targets Illegal Gun Purchases


NSSF, ATF, DOJ Emphasize ‘Don’t Lie for the Other Guy™’

Don't Lie for the Other GuyPhiladelphia, Pa. — As part of an ongoing national effort to help prevent illegal “straw” purchases of firearms, NSSF®, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) and the Department of Justice (DOJ) are reminding the Greater Philadelphia area public that stiff penalties are in place for individuals convicted of such unlawful purchases. The campaign is in its 22nd year and is a cornerstone of the cooperative relationship of the firearm industry, law enforcement and retailers.

Billboard, radio, social media, streaming audio and digital advertisements for the “Don’t Lie for the Other Guy” program have been purchased by NSSF in key locations throughout the region with the message: “Buy a gun for someone who can’t and buy yourself 10 years in jail. Don’t Lie for the Other Guy.” The month-long public awareness campaign was officially launched today.

The Philadelphia area “Don’t Lie” campaign includes more than 11 outdoor billboards, digital bulletin boards and posters. There are also more than 450 radio spots playing and 600,000 digital streaming radio service impressions. On social media, “Don’t Lie” advertisements total more than 1.5 million targeted geofenced online mobile advertisements on Facebook and Instagram impressions. In addition, there will be more than 600 Philadelphia public transit advertisements on commuter rail and bus services. Philadelphia was chosen for this special campaign by ATF. No taxpayer dollars are used. The program is funded in full by the firearm industry.

“The firearm industry has always been fully committed to keeping firearms out of the hands of those who should not possess them. We are proud of our more than two-decade cooperative relationship with the ATF, the DOJ and the entire law enforcement community to assist them in their collective efforts to reduce criminal acquisition and misuse of firearms. We’re pleased to work with our partners at DOJ and ATF to launch this “Don’t Lie” campaign in Philadelphia this summer,” said NSSF President and CEO Joe Bartozzi.

“Don’t Lie” is a cooperative program between ATF, DOJ and NSSF, the trade association for the firearm and ammunition industry. The effort was developed more than a two decades ago to raise public awareness about the seriousness of the crime of purchasing a firearm for someone who cannot legally do so. The program also helps ATF educate firearm retailers to be better prepared to deter potential straw purchases. The public campaign drives home the message that anyone attempting an illegal firearm purchase faces a stiff federal felony penalty of up to 10 years in jail or up to $250,000 in fines.

To legally purchase a firearm, a person must be able to pass an FBI National Instant Criminal Background Check System, or NICS check, and fully comply with all state and local laws. When a criminal knows he or she cannot pass this check, they may try to induce a friend or other person to make the purchase on their behalf. This is known as a straw purchase and is a felony.

This public awareness campaign constitutes only part of the “Don’t Lie for the Other Guy” outreach effort. The full “Don’t Lie for the Other Guy” program, which also involves educating firearm retailers to better detect and prevent straw purchases, has been rolled out in major cities throughout the country. In the retailer segment, federal firearms licensees are provided a “Don’t Lie for the Other Guy” retailer kit containing a training video and informational brochure for storeowners and staff, as well as point-of-purchase displays aimed to deter illegal straw purchases.

Learn more about “Don’t Lie for the Other Guy” at www.dontlie.org.

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About NSSF
NSSF is the trade association for the firearm industry. Its mission is to promote, protect and preserve hunting and the shooting sports. Formed in 1961, NSSF has a membership of thousands of manufacturers, distributors, firearm retailers, shooting ranges, sportsmen’s organizations and publishers nationwide. For more information, visit nssf.org.

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Media contact:
Mark Oliva
202-220-1340

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