Maine Sen. Susan Collins has introduced legislation she says is aimed at stemming trafficking in illegally acquired guns.
The measure would increase penalties for the so-called "straw purchasing" of weapons at gun shows, and the trafficking of those weapons across state lines.
Collins told Senate colleagues of one gang that smuggled drugs into Maine to trade for guns. “They committed acts of violence, including assaults, armed robberies, attempted murder and murder. They traded narcotics for firearms.”
Collins says federal law now prohibits gun trafficking into the United States, but her bill would also prohibit gun trafficking from the United States to other nations. She says passing the bill would be one way to truly honor police during National Law Enforcement Week.
