Straw purchase

A Straw Purchase is a situation in which a person is using a "straw purchaser" (another person) to acquire one or more firearms from a licensed firearms dealer, to hide the identity of the true purchaser or ultimate possessor of the firearm(s). This is the most common way that prohibited people, such as convicted felons, obtain firearms.

In the United States, straw purchases are a felony violation of the Gun Control Act of 1968 for both and straw purchaser and ultimate possessor.

Source: atf.gov