Wow. This is getting technical to the point of being philosophical, but I think I will be in the clear, which is what I wanted to know. Thanks again.
The Devil is in the details in law, so it's necessary to really get down on a gnat's eye if we want to be sure you have complete information.
. . . . I am at an age where I would like to thin out my gun collection, at least of guns I never use and that no longer interest me. If I bought a gun from Federal Firearms Licensee (an FFL dealer), how much time must pass before a sale to a non-FFL holder*is NOT a straw man sale? Is there any clear statement by the Federal government on this? Does it vary by state? . . . . As I said, I am sorry if this is a dumb question.
First, it's not a dumb question.
Second, as others have noted, there's no magic time frame that you have to wait to sell. It's a question of intent and agreements. In legal terms, it's a question of "agency." If, when you purchase, you are acting as an agent for someone else, it's a straw purchase. Let's look at some examples:
1. My buddy Fred (apparently, Theohazard and I have friends in common) tells me he's looking for a Lautenboomer 3000, and he knows that a Lautenboomer dealer will be at the next gun show. Fred can't go to that show, so he gives me $1000 to buy him a new Lautenboomer 3000 from the dealer.
Straw purchase.
2. My buddy Fred tells me he's looking for a Lautenboomer 3000 in passing. I go to the next gun show, and there's a Lautenboomer 3000. I call Fred, who says he'll pay me back if I'll buy the gun. Nope!
Straw purchase.
3. I go to the gun show, and find a very nice rifle. It's a Lautenboomer 3000. I buy it, using my own cash. It was the last one at the show. As I'm leaving, I run into my old friend, Fred. He's heartbroken that I bought the last Lautenboomer, and he offers to buy it from me. We're good to go here, and I can sell to him.
No straw purchase.
4. I go to the gun show, and find a very nice rifle. It's a Lautenboomer 3000. I buy it, using my own cash. It was the last one at the show. Fortunately, I did well in the stock market this year, and can afford to give a few firearms away. My good friend, Fred, has been looking for one of these for the last 3 examples, so I decide to make a gift of this rifle to him. Again, we're good to go.
No straw purchase.
Buying guns with the express intent to resell gets onto shaky ground. Unlicensed persons aren't really supposed to be in the business of buying/selling firearms. There's no clear line to cross over to determine when you've crossed into operating as an unlicensed dealer so it's best not to be in the habit of buying with the express intent to resell.
That said, operating as an unlicensed dealer (buying firearms with the express intent to resell them) is a different offense from a straw purchase. . . . .
I quoted John's post just to highlight that there's another aspect to consider. You don't want to be "in the business" of buying and selling firearms without an FFL. It's a different offense from a straw purchase, but an offense nonetheless.