A Burnsville woman has been federally charged for purchasing firearms used in the shooting of three first responders, thanks to a recent change in federal law known as The Bipartisan Safer Communities Act, which created the crime of straw purchasing. Ashley Dyrdahl faces multiple charges, including conspiracy and lying while registering for a firearm, and has pleaded not guilty. Prosecutors allege that she knowingly provided powerful firearms to a violent convicted felon, and the new law has allowed for expanded potential penalties of up to 15 years.
Three men are facing federal firearm charges in connection with the shooting at the Kansas City Chiefs Super Bowl parade, where one person was killed and 22 others were injured. The defendants are accused of illegal firearms trafficking and straw purchases, and are not accused of opening fire during the incident. Federal authorities allege that at least two of the firearms recovered from the scene were illegally purchased or trafficked. The charges include conspiracy to traffic firearms, engaging in firearm sales without a license, and making false statements on federal forms.
The owner of a Burnsville gun retailer confirmed that a gun part found at the scene of a shooting was straw purchased and traced to his store. The lower receiver, a federally regulated portion of an AR-15 rifle, was purchased online and picked up by someone who passed a background check, but it was later found in the possession of a convicted felon who was prohibited from having firearms. The gun store owner stated that they had no way of knowing the part would end up in the prohibited person's possession, and the purchaser is now under investigation for felony straw purchase.
