as i stated he is filing for a crossbow permit
Doesn't matter. Someone ineligible to possess a firearm can still bowhunt in most states, including Illinois. The crossbow permit application for Illinois is only for medical necessity (a physician fills it out, verifying that the applicant is medically unable to use a normal bow). No background check is necessary.
http://dnr.state.il.us/law3/pdfs/crossbowpermitapp.pdf
an has shotgun hunted for years.
Also doesn't matter. There may be something on his record that makes him ineligible to possess a firearm now that wasn't there when he bought his shotgun. Also, a hunting license means nothing, because there is usually no background check for a hunting license. Convicted felons or other people ineligible to possess a firearm can obtain a hunting permit in most states, including Illinois.
i was going to pay cash but he will fill out the paperwork an it will be on his FOID card.
In your
other thread on this matter, you mentioned that "come tax time the rifle will go under his FOID", meaning that it will not be going on his permit at the time of purchase. You are buying another person a firearm, in other words, a straw purchase.
The BATFE Form 4473 asks the following question: "11.a. Are you the actual transferee/buyer of the firearm(s) listed on this form? Warning: You are not the actual buyer if you are acquiring the firearm(s) on behalf of another person." It also states, "I understand that answering 'yes' to question 11.a. if I am not the actual buyer is a crime punishable as a felony under Federal law, and may also violate State and/or local law."
http://www.atf.gov/forms/download/atf-f-4473-1.pdf
an myself i think a $500 .17 HMR for the .44 magnum, 250 rounds an a very nice Bushnell red-dot scope i would be gettin the better deal.
Yes, that is definitely the better deal. The revolver alone regularly sells for much more than $500. Add the scope and 250 rounds of .44 Magnum ammo (expensive) and $500 is an awesome deal. Unless of course it lands you with a felony conviction for a straw purchase, a potential jail sentence, and making you yourself ineligible to possess any firearms for the rest of your life.
This "killer deal" only solidifies the chance that he is now, for whatever reason, not able to pass a background check to buy a new firearm.
To protect yourself, you need to demand that you will pay him the exact amount of the new rifle in cash to purchase his revolver. Then he can purchase the rifle himself.
If he flat out refuses to accept in cash the exact amount that the rifle he picked out costs, walk away. It's not worth it.
