Federal agents say illegal firearm purchases remain a concern as guns traced from local dealers surface in out‑of‑county crimes.
Horry County, NC — Federal agents say straw gun purchases remain an active concern in Horry County, where a high concentration of firearm dealers and steady tourist traffic create conditions that can attract illegal buyers.
The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) has issued repeated warnings in the Grand Strand region, noting that guns bought legally in Horry County have been traced to criminal cases in other parts of the Carolinas and neighboring states.
Agents say many of those firearms were purchased by someone other than the eventual possessor – a key indicator of a straw purchase.
Local law enforcement agencies, including Horry County Police and the Horry County Sheriff’s Office, have reported cases in recent years involving felons found with guns originally purchased by third parties. While not always labeled as “straw purchases” in court filings, the underlying conduct often involves someone with a clean record buying a firearm for someone who cannot legally do so.
ATF officials say they continue to monitor the region’s pawn shops, sporting goods stores, and gun retailers, and encourage dealers to report suspicious activity such as multiple‑gun purchases, rapid repeat visits, or buyers who appear to be acting on behalf of someone else.
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