Apart from that, I'm OK with strong penalties for straw purchasers. Now the question is: Will the Controller lose their minds, as they tend to do, and tack-on a bunch of amendments that will kill any chance of passage?

But isn't the first bullet point simply the definition of straw purchase, which is already illegal?

(See what I did there?)

although much of what's indicated in the article is already criminal under both federal and most state laws.

Given that some of the primary sponsors and supporters are well-known strict gun control like Representatives like Carolyn Maloney and Elijah Cummings, I'm immediately suspicious about the content of the actual proposed legislation. As an attorney, I'm also quite well aware that the content of a proposed law often goes well beyond the general, feel-good language of press releases and purported summaries. In fact, the OP's link, as well as internal links, conspicuously fail to direct the reader to the actual text of the legislation. Other referenced links are misleading. For instance, an earlier linked press release discusses the NRA's objections to straw purchases in the context of the bill, wrongly implying that they support the this particular legislation.


A quick Google search also revealed how some of the sponsors of these types of bills are their own worst enemies and destroyed any trust needed for comprise on firearms-related legislation:

http://www.outdoorlife.com/blogs/gun-shots/gun-stories-week-2015-summer-firearm-sales-smash-previous-records
http://townhall.com/tipsheet/katiepavlich/2015/09/10/feds-fail-to-enforce-gun-trafficking-laws-congress-introduces-new-legislation-anyway-n2049834

My understanding is that any violation of the Gun Control Act can get you up to ten years, yet straw purchasers usually get probation with no time served. I remember reading about a guy that used fake ID and sold several on thugs and got probation.
Personally, I would like to see straw purchasers be charged with accessory or conspiracy for any crime committed with said firearm.

that carries a much lower sentence.

The federal sentencing guidelines are also generally "advisory," although I doubt they're the issue with low sentences for straw purchasers. I would imagine it's a matter of various U.S. Attorneys not wanting to expend time and resources for what amount to small, sometimes difficult to prove cases that will garner little press or notoriety.