Man Accused Of 6 Firearm Straw Purchases, Delco Authorities Say

CHESTER, PA — Authorities in Delaware County announced firearm charges against a Delaware man who is accused of buying guns for people barred from possessing them.

District Attorney Jack Stollsteimer said Nasir Garland, 22, of New Castle, Delaware, has been charged with illegal transfer of firearms, providing false information, and related charges after authorities said he was the "straw purchaser" of six firearms.

On Wednesday, Oct. 20, Garland was interviewed at the New Castle Police Detective by Detective Dave Tyler of the Criminal Investigation Division and Chester Police Detective Raheem Blanden.

Investigators suspected that Garland acted as a straw purchaser in reference to several firearms purchased for residents in the City of Chester.

A "straw purchase" is an illegal firearm purchase where the actual buyer of the gun, being unable to pass the required background check or desiring to not have his or her name associated with the transaction, uses another person who can pass the required background check to purchase the firearm.

Further investigation revealed that between August 2020 and December 2020, Garland bought five firearms, two from Starquest Shooters & Survival Supply, and three from First State Firearms, both located in New Castle, Delaware.

A sixth firearm was purchased from Starquest in July.

Garland confessed to making the illegal purchases, and transferring those firearms to individuals who were ineligible to purchase such firearms.

"There are approximately 1,500 gun deaths in Pennsylvania per year, and this epidemic is fueled
in part by straw purchasing," Stollsteimer said. "The surge of gun violence in our
communities is fueled by the easy availability of firearms. In our region, law enforcement is
fighting the gun violence epidemic by prioritizing the prosecution of those individuals who
circumvent the law and supply firearms to felons and trigger-pullers. This arrest should send a
message to those thinking about straw purchasing firearms – you will be subject to prosecution."

Stollsteimer thanked Blanden and the Chester Police Department, and Tyler of the Criminal Investigations Division and the New Castle County Police Department.

Garland was remanded to the George W. Hill Correctional facility on 10 percent of $250,000 bails.

His preliminary hearing is scheduled for Dec. 9