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Dawn Nguyen was scheduled to be sentenced today in federal court for knowingly acting as a straw purchaser of assault weapons that were used in 2012 to kill two firefighters and wound two others, among other victims, in Webster, N.Y. But late yesterday, her lawyer argued successfully for a delay to challenge the prosecution’s request for a stiffer sentence than the 18 months to two years called for by federal guidelines.

Ms. Nguyen, who is currently serving up to four years in New York state prison for the same straw purchase, bought the weapons for William Spengler, Jr. the shooter in the Webster rampage. Mr. Spengler could not buy the weapons himself because he was a felon, having spent 17 years in prison for murdering his grandmother.



Mr. Spengler shot and killed himself after his deadly spree. Ms. Nguyen has yet to find out how long she will be behind bars.

But her sentencing will not be the end of the story.

The Brady Center to Prevent Gun Violence and the law firm Arnold and Porter recently filed a lawsuit in New York against Gander Mountain, the gun retailer in Rochester that sold the weapons to Ms. Nguyen. Brought on behalf of the shooting victims and their families, the suit asserts that Gander Mountain knew or should have known that Ms. Nguyen was a straw purchaser and, accordingly, refused to make the sale. Its failure to do so, the suit says, makes it accountable for the consequences; the suit seeks reform in Gander Mountain’s company polices and compensation for the plaintiffs.

According to the suit, in 2010, Ms. Nguyen, then 22, went with Mr. Spengler, then 61, to Gander Mountain, where she paid $1,452.58 in cash for two assault weapons. Guidelines by federal gun regulators and the National Shooting Sports Foundation say that straw purchases often involve two people entering the store together, the purchase of multiple firearms in one transaction and payment in cash. The suit argues that Gander Mountain ignored or missed all those signs.

There were other clues as well, according to the lawsuit. Mr. Spengler was the one who answered when the salesperson offered help. Ms. Nguyen did not buy any ammunition, nor did she ask about ammunition, how to load or operate the guns or where shooting ranges were located.

This week, Gander Mountain moved to have the case dismissed on the ground that the federal “Protection of Lawful Commerce in Arms Act” of 2005 shields it from being sued. The law, championed by former Senator Larry Craig of Idaho when he was on the board of directors of the National Rifle Association, does indeed give gun dealers protections from civil liability that no other sellers of dangerous products are granted. It is now up to the court to decide whether those protections are as broad as Gander Mountain claims they are.

One thing is already clear. Firearms dealers are gatekeepers to prevent criminals from acquiring guns. In this case, Gander Mountain did not perform its gatekeeper function. Dawn Nguyen is being held responsible for her role. Will Gander Mountain be held responsible for its part as well?