The Don't Lie for the Other Guy program was developed by the National Shooting Sports Foundation (NSSF) in coordination with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) in ATF's efforts to combat the criminal misuse of firearms.

ATF praises "Don't Lie for the Other Guy" as an important tool for ATF to pursue its mission of preventing terrorism, reducing violent crime, and protecting the public through Project Safe Neighborhoods and other initiatives.

The criminal misuse of firearms is a problem. Reports by ATF and the Department of Justice indicate that criminals illegally obtain guns from a variety of sources, including stealing them and getting them from friends and family members. Some firearms used in urban centers were originally sold at retail in many other states and illegally trafficked to criminals in those urban areas. That's why Don't Lie is a national program.

"Don't Lie for the Other Guy" educates federally licensed firearms retailers how to detect and deter potential criminal purchases. An illegal firearm purchase can bring a felony conviction sentence of ten years in jail with a $250,000 fine. Many dealers have participated in regional seminars presented by ATFand NSSF, and some 15,000 Federal Firearm Licensees around the country have already received a Don't Lie point-of-sale kit that explains the law to potential illegal purchasers.

What began as a retailer education program now includes a public awareness component, with enthusiastic participation by public officials including top federal prosecutors, U.S. Attorneys, in different states.  Public service messages warn individuals not to purchase a gun for a prohibited person.

The program is part of the Project Safe Neighborhoods partnership at the U.S. Department of Justice.

Project Safe Neighborhoods is a nationwide commitment to reduce gun crime in America by networking existing local programs that target gun crime and providing those programs with additional tools necessary to be successful. The Bush Administration has committed $901 million to this effort over three years. This funding is being used to hire new federal and state prosecutors, support investigators, provide training, distribute gun lock safety kits, deter juvenile gun crime, and develop and promote community outreach efforts as well as to support other gun violence reduction strategies.

Whether at a gun store or at a gun show, the retail sale of a firearm requires a criminal background check of the purchaser and completion of a sales record with information about the purchaser and the firearm's serial number and description that is available to criminal investigators from ATF. Persons purchasing multiple handguns are reported to both ATF and to local police. While it is legal to purchase a firearm as a gift for another, it is illegal to purchase a firearm for someone prohibited by law from posessing a gun.

To understand more about the complexities of legal firearm sales, visit the ATF's online Learning Theater. For more information about Don't Lie for the Other guy, firearm sales or issues related to the firearms industry, please contact NSSF's Communications Department at (203) 426-1320.

Don't Lie for the Other Guy news releases:

January 22, 2007: Don't Lie Campaign Launches in Northern District of Texas, Jan. 22, 2007

November 14, 2006: Don't Lie Campaign Launches In Phoenix, Nov. 14, 2006

September 8, 2006: Don't Lie Campaign Launches In Indianapolis, Sept. 8, 2006

August 17, 2006: Don't Lie Campaign Launches in Indiana August 17, 2006

July 25, 2006: Don't Lie Campaign Launches in Virginia July 25, 2006

June 13, 2006: Don't Lie Kicks Off in Baltimore, June 13, 2006

March 29, 2006: Don't Lie Campaign Launches in North Carolina, March 29, 2006

March 9, 2006: Don't Lie Campaign Launches in South Carolina, March 9, 2006

January 26, 2006: Don't Lie Program Kicks Off In Atlanta, Jan. 26, 2006