{"argument_date":"2014-01-22T00:00:00Z","arguments":[{"argument_date":"2014-01-22T00:00:00Z","heading":"What happened at the argument","official_detail_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcript/2013","official_transcript_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2013/12-1493_1b8e.pdf","paragraphs":["Richard Dietz represented the side that brought the case. He stated Abramski filled out all required federal paperwork. He noted Abramski passed the background check. Dietz argued the statute has two possible interpretations. He emphasized this is a criminal statute.","The government argued the law targets the actual acquirer. They contended the straw purchaser is not the true buyer. They highlighted the requirement to record the final recipient's details.","Justices questioned the practical application of the law. They asked why Congress focused on the straw purchaser. They probed the distinction between the legal buyer and the final user."],"reargument":false,"sequence":1,"sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 28, lines 3-43","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2013/12-1493_1b8e.pdf","page_label":"file page 28, lines 3-43"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 17-5","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2013/12-1493_1b8e.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 17-5"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 7-15","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2013/12-1493_1b8e.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 7-15"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 15-17","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2013/12-1493_1b8e.pdf","page_label":"file page 4, lines 15-17"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 35-37","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2013/12-1493_1b8e.pdf","page_label":"file page 4, lines 35-37"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 39-41","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2013/12-1493_1b8e.pdf","page_label":"file page 4, lines 39-41"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 7-11","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2013/12-1493_1b8e.pdf","page_label":"file page 4, lines 7-11"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 15-25","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2013/12-1493_1b8e.pdf","page_label":"file page 5, lines 15-25"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 37-41","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2013/12-1493_1b8e.pdf","page_label":"file page 5, lines 37-41"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 45-47","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2013/12-1493_1b8e.pdf","page_label":"file page 5, lines 45-47"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 51-3","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2013/12-1493_1b8e.pdf","page_label":"file page 5, lines 51-3"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 55, lines 15-7","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2013/12-1493_1b8e.pdf","page_label":"file page 55, lines 15-7"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 58, lines 49-5","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2013/12-1493_1b8e.pdf","page_label":"file page 58, lines 49-5"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 58, lines 9-19","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2013/12-1493_1b8e.pdf","page_label":"file page 58, lines 9-19"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 59, lines 13-21","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2013/12-1493_1b8e.pdf","page_label":"file page 59, lines 13-21"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 59, lines 25-27","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2013/12-1493_1b8e.pdf","page_label":"file page 59, lines 25-27"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 13-21","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2013/12-1493_1b8e.pdf","page_label":"file page 6, lines 13-21"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 41-31","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2013/12-1493_1b8e.pdf","page_label":"file page 6, lines 41-31"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 7-9","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2013/12-1493_1b8e.pdf","page_label":"file page 6, lines 7-9"}]}],"caption":"Abramski v. United States","case_history":[{"changed_at":"2026-08-29T20:06:24.163680Z","explanation":"An official oral-argument transcript was verified.","status":"argued"},{"changed_at":"2026-08-29T20:06:24.179284Z","explanation":"An official oral-argument transcript was verified.","status":"argued"}],"case_status":"argued","dek":"Bruce Abramski bought a firearm in Virginia using his own identity. The government claims he broke federal law by acting as a straw purchaser for a third party.","dek_sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 28, lines 3-43","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2013/12-1493_1b8e.pdf","page_label":"file page 28, lines 3-43"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 17-5","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2013/12-1493_1b8e.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 17-5"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 55, lines 15-7","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2013/12-1493_1b8e.pdf","page_label":"file page 55, lines 15-7"}],"dispositions":[],"latest_court_document_date":"2014-01-22T00:00:00Z","maturity":"official_transcript","official_detail_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcript/2013","official_disposition_urls":[],"official_docket_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/docket/docketfiles/html/public/12-1493.html","primary_docket":"12-1493","revisions":[{"correction_note":"Rewritten to the concise citizen-facing editorial standard.","created_at":"2026-08-30T20:56:59.479375Z","maturity":"official_transcript","revision_number":1},{"correction_note":"Migrated to the dated official Court activity contract without model use.","created_at":"2026-09-05T03:22:24Z","maturity":"official_transcript","revision_number":2}],"schema_version":"1.1","sections":[{"heading":"What this case is about","paragraphs":["The case tests the scope of federal firearm transfer rules. The dispute centers on whether a buyer who passes a background check but intends to give the gun to someone else commits a crime."],"sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 28, lines 3-43","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2013/12-1493_1b8e.pdf","page_label":"file page 28, lines 3-43"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 17-5","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2013/12-1493_1b8e.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 17-5"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 55, lines 15-7","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2013/12-1493_1b8e.pdf","page_label":"file page 55, lines 15-7"}]},{"heading":"How the case got here","paragraphs":["The Supreme Court heard oral argument in this case on January 22, 2014."],"sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 7-15","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2013/12-1493_1b8e.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 7-15"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 59, lines 25-27","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2013/12-1493_1b8e.pdf","page_label":"file page 59, lines 25-27"}]},{"heading":"What each side wants","paragraphs":["the side that brought the case wants the conviction overturned because he acted as the legal buyer.","The government wants the conviction upheld because the firearm went to a third party."],"sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 28, lines 3-43","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2013/12-1493_1b8e.pdf","page_label":"file page 28, lines 3-43"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 17-5","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2013/12-1493_1b8e.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 17-5"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 55, lines 15-7","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2013/12-1493_1b8e.pdf","page_label":"file page 55, lines 15-7"}]},{"heading":"What each side says","paragraphs":["the side that brought the case argues the statute targets the person who physically receives the firearm.","The government argues the statute targets the person who actually acquires the weapon."],"sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 28, lines 3-43","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2013/12-1493_1b8e.pdf","page_label":"file page 28, lines 3-43"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 17-5","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2013/12-1493_1b8e.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 17-5"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 55, lines 15-7","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2013/12-1493_1b8e.pdf","page_label":"file page 55, lines 15-7"}]},{"heading":"What the justices asked","paragraphs":["Justice Sotomayor asked if the side that brought the case's theory makes the conduct actionable.","Justice Alito asked why Congress would record the straw purchaser's name instead of the final recipient."],"sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 7-15","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2013/12-1493_1b8e.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 7-15"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 15-17","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2013/12-1493_1b8e.pdf","page_label":"file page 4, lines 15-17"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 35-37","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2013/12-1493_1b8e.pdf","page_label":"file page 4, lines 35-37"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 39-41","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2013/12-1493_1b8e.pdf","page_label":"file page 4, lines 39-41"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 7-11","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2013/12-1493_1b8e.pdf","page_label":"file page 4, lines 7-11"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 15-25","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2013/12-1493_1b8e.pdf","page_label":"file page 5, lines 15-25"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 37-41","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2013/12-1493_1b8e.pdf","page_label":"file page 5, lines 37-41"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 45-47","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2013/12-1493_1b8e.pdf","page_label":"file page 5, lines 45-47"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 51-3","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2013/12-1493_1b8e.pdf","page_label":"file page 5, lines 51-3"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 58, lines 49-5","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2013/12-1493_1b8e.pdf","page_label":"file page 58, lines 49-5"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 58, lines 9-19","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2013/12-1493_1b8e.pdf","page_label":"file page 58, lines 9-19"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 59, lines 13-21","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2013/12-1493_1b8e.pdf","page_label":"file page 59, lines 13-21"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 59, lines 25-27","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2013/12-1493_1b8e.pdf","page_label":"file page 59, lines 25-27"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 13-21","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2013/12-1493_1b8e.pdf","page_label":"file page 6, lines 13-21"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 41-31","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2013/12-1493_1b8e.pdf","page_label":"file page 6, lines 41-31"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 7-9","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2013/12-1493_1b8e.pdf","page_label":"file page 6, lines 7-9"}]},{"heading":"Why it matters","paragraphs":["This case defines who counts as a buyer under federal law. It determines whether intent to transfer a firearm creates criminal liability. The outcome shapes how gun stores verify the final recipient of a weapon."],"sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 28, lines 3-43","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2013/12-1493_1b8e.pdf","page_label":"file page 28, lines 3-43"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 17-5","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2013/12-1493_1b8e.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 17-5"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 55, lines 15-7","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2013/12-1493_1b8e.pdf","page_label":"file page 55, lines 15-7"}]},{"heading":"What happens next","paragraphs":["This article currently covers the argument record. Use the official docket link for later case activity."],"sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 7-15","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2013/12-1493_1b8e.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 7-15"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 15-17","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2013/12-1493_1b8e.pdf","page_label":"file page 4, lines 15-17"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 35-37","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2013/12-1493_1b8e.pdf","page_label":"file page 4, lines 35-37"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 39-41","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2013/12-1493_1b8e.pdf","page_label":"file page 4, lines 39-41"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 7-11","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2013/12-1493_1b8e.pdf","page_label":"file page 4, lines 7-11"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 15-25","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2013/12-1493_1b8e.pdf","page_label":"file page 5, lines 15-25"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 37-41","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2013/12-1493_1b8e.pdf","page_label":"file page 5, lines 37-41"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 45-47","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2013/12-1493_1b8e.pdf","page_label":"file page 5, lines 45-47"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 51-3","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2013/12-1493_1b8e.pdf","page_label":"file page 5, lines 51-3"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 58, lines 49-5","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2013/12-1493_1b8e.pdf","page_label":"file page 58, lines 49-5"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 58, lines 9-19","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2013/12-1493_1b8e.pdf","page_label":"file page 58, lines 9-19"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 59, lines 13-21","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2013/12-1493_1b8e.pdf","page_label":"file page 59, lines 13-21"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 59, lines 25-27","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2013/12-1493_1b8e.pdf","page_label":"file page 59, lines 25-27"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 13-21","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2013/12-1493_1b8e.pdf","page_label":"file page 6, lines 13-21"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 41-31","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2013/12-1493_1b8e.pdf","page_label":"file page 6, lines 41-31"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 7-9","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2013/12-1493_1b8e.pdf","page_label":"file page 6, lines 7-9"}]}],"slug":"2013-12-1493-abramski-v-united-states","term":"2013","title":"Does a gun buyer violate federal law by purchasing for another person?","title_sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 28, lines 3-43","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2013/12-1493_1b8e.pdf","page_label":"file page 28, lines 3-43"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 17-5","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2013/12-1493_1b8e.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 17-5"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 55, lines 15-7","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2013/12-1493_1b8e.pdf","page_label":"file page 55, lines 15-7"}],"topics":[],"undated_disposition_date_fallback":null,"updated_at":"2026-09-05T03:22:24Z"}