The relentless war against gun control zealots, who endlessly preach that restricting law-abiding Americans’ Second Amendment rights will somehow curb crime, never seems to let up. But here’s the undeniable truth: criminals don’t follow laws. They never have, and they never will. That’s why, rather than depending on empty rhetoric, the firearm industry has dedicated itself to real-world solutions, working tirelessly with law enforcement and federal agencies to educate the public about the consequences of violating firearm laws.
Your local federal firearms licensee (FFL) isn’t just a retailer. They’re the first line of defense in keeping communities safe by preventing firearm crimes—all while respecting the constitutional rights of responsible gun owners. Yet, despite this longstanding commitment, the justice system’s failures can undermine all that hard work.
Take, for instance, the shocking case of Dion Cooper from Kent, Washington. Cooper, a repeat offender, made a mockery of Washington’s stringent gun control laws, which activists like to tout as among the nation’s “safest.” Instead of upholding those laws with the iron fist they demand, the system handed him a mere slap on the wrist.
133 Illegal Guns and a Slap on the Wrist
Washington Governor Jay Inslee loves to champion his state’s restrictive gun control policies, proudly boasting of their supposed effectiveness. Yet, cases like this one expose the glaring hypocrisy and inefficiency of such measures. Cooper wasn’t just a one-time offender. Over a span of two years, he orchestrated an illegal straw purchasing operation, acquiring 133 firearms and funneling them to convicted felons and juveniles who legally couldn’t touch a gun.
And the results were deadly. According to prosecutors, at least 54 of those firearms were directly tied to violent crimes, including homicides, drive-by shootings, armed robberies, and assaults. Yet, in the face of this carnage, the federal judge overseeing the case handed Cooper a sentence of just three years in prison.
Three years.
Let that sink in. The largest known straw purchaser in Washington’s history, whose actions have already left a trail of violence and death, gets a punishment that barely qualifies as a slap on the wrist.
A Crime That’s Never Victimless
For over 25 years, the firearm industry, in partnership with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF) and other federal agencies, has fought back against straw purchasing through initiatives like Don’t Lie for the Other Guy. This campaign educates the public on the severe consequences of buying firearms for someone else or lying on the ATF Firearms Transaction Form (Form 4473).
The penalties are no joke: up to 15 years in prison and a $250,000 fine for lying on the background check form. And if the firearm crosses state lines? Add another 15 years to that sentence. Yet, despite this hardline stance and years of community outreach, Cooper’s lenient sentence undermines the entire message.
ATF Director Steven Dettelbach has been clear about the stakes. “Firearms trafficking is not a victimless crime,” he’s said repeatedly. The reality of these crimes isn’t theoretical—it’s devastatingly real. A gun illegally purchased by one person may later end up in the hands of another who pulls the trigger, leaving victims and grieving families in their wake.
The Real Solutions the Industry Offers
The firearm industry doesn’t just talk the talk; it walks the walk. Through programs like Don’t Lie and other Real Solutions. Safe Communities. initiatives, the industry has made measurable progress in keeping guns out of the hands of those who shouldn’t have them. From promoting safe firearm storage to educating new gun owners about responsible ownership, the industry’s commitment to community safety is unwavering.
These efforts have saved lives. But when the justice system fails to back them up—when a judge decides that 133 illegal straw purchases, tied to dozens of violent crimes, warrant only a three-year sentence—it sends a chilling message: the system isn’t serious about holding offenders accountable.
A Disservice to the Community
The impact of Cooper’s actions will ripple through the community of Kent, Washington, and beyond for years to come. His guns are still out there, being used to commit crimes, and his light sentence does nothing to deter the next criminal from trying the same thing. Meanwhile, the firearm industry, local FFLs, and law enforcement are left to clean up the mess, working tirelessly to protect their communities despite these glaring judicial failures.
The truth is clear: the industry is doing its part, and so are law enforcement and federal partners. But when the system goes soft on crime, it undermines everyone’s efforts. If we want safer communities, we need more than just laws on the books—we need those laws enforced with the seriousness they deserve.
Justice isn’t just about punishment. It’s about sending a message that those who break the law will face real consequences. Anything less is an insult to the victims of these crimes and to the hard work of those fighting to prevent them.
