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

NSSF®, The Firearm Industry Trade Association, together with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) and the Department of Justice (DOJ), announced a month-long public education campaign reminding the Houston, Texas, area public about stiff penalties facing individuals convicted of unlawful firearm purchases. The “Don’t Lie for the Other Guy”TM campaign is in its 25th year and drives home the message that anyone making an illegal firearm purchase is committing a federal felony and faces a penalty of up to 15 years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000. The program is funded in full by members of the firearm industry and is now also complemented by federal funding allocated to ATF by Congress. Houston was chosen for this specific campaign by ATF.

“The firearm industry has always been fully committed to keeping firearms out of the hands of those who should not possess them. In its twenty-fifth year, we are especially proud to launch this ‘Don’t Lie for the Other Guy public’ awareness campaign in Houston as part of our cooperative relationship with ATF, DOJ and the entire law enforcement community to assist them in their efforts to reduce criminal acquisition of firearms and to keep communities safe,” said NSSF President and CEO Joe Bartozzi.

The Houston-area “Don’t Lie” campaign will total more than 45.8 million media impressions. This includes an outdoor campaign running on 45 high impact billboards and posters throughout the Houston region with the message: “Buy a gun for someone who can't and buy yourself 15 years in jail. Don't Lie for the Other Guy.” The campaign will also include more than 400 radio spots on two of the top FM stations in the market, as well as 3.75 million targeted impressions across Facebook, Instagram and mobile display.

To legally purchase a firearm from a licensed retailer, a person must pass an FBI National Instant Criminal Background Check System verification, or NICS background check, and fully comply with all state and local laws. When a criminal is illegally trafficking in firearms or knows they cannot pass this check, they may try to induce a friend or acquaintance to make the purchase for them. This is a straw purchase and is a felony.

The “Don’t Lie for the Other Guy” program also involves educating firearm retailers to better detect and prevent straw purchases by providing free “Don’t Lie for the Other Guy” retailer kits containing a training video and information for storeowners and staff, as well as point-of-purchase displays aimed to deter illegal straw purchasers.

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

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.