I bought my father a deer rifle for Christmas last year. (he isn' t a felon)

As far as buying one for someone else, I would assume that thhey are either family or a very close friend. Either way, you could buy it under your name, then fill out a bill of sale that transfers the firearm to them assuming all responsibility, then both of you sign it. You could even have a Notary Public put their seal on it as a witness.