what if the wife is a felonAccording to the Supreme Court, it's only a straw purchase if the ultimate owner advances the money for the purchase.
"Buying if for" someone is not a straw purchase if the ultimate owner reimburses the in store purchaser after the purchase.
The problem arises that now that the Supreme Court has set down some reasonably bright lines, BATF makes absolutely NO effort to educate the public or FFL about the elements of a straw purchase.
I have watched FFLs decline sales where the man says "I'm buying this for my wife" who is with him and looking at guns, although that is a perfectly legal sale, if he is the source of funds and intends it as a gift. He doesn't have to say the magic words, " I am buying this gun, as a gift for my wife."