I really cant blame Big 5 for refusing it, as its better safe than sorry at this point concerning it.
Personally, if someone were going to buy me a gun, I think I'd rather have a gift certificate for the amount, or even have them accompany me . Even with something as simple as a Rem 870, there's still 10 different models (ok, maybe rem 870 wasn't a good example). But anyway, there are just so many choices concerning firearm options that unless an exact model is given, its really just better to let them pick out what they want themselves.
But really, dont buy from Big 5. Buy from someone that actually specializes in guns. I'd even go as far as to say to skip the big places like Cabelas and Sportsmans, but they can have good prices once in a while if you go in knowing what you want. I used to recommend Gallenson's to everyone, but they've gotten to the point they've raised their prices where its only good to window shop there. They do have one of the larger selections of shotguns though. Personally, I'm at the point I buy from the internet more than not now because the places I used to shop have started raising their prices more than I'm willing to pay. Considering that gun prices really haven't risen that much, it means companies that do this are slowing down in business and trying to keep up with the "gun rush" income. Regretfully, I dont know any gun places that far north, as Salt Lake is about as far as I travel in that direction.
As far as the whole straw purchase, I'm in complete agreement with DiveGeek, and the others concerning it not being illegal. The 4473 instructions even give a gift as a valid example, but to be honest, legal or not, if I had my FFL, I dont think I'd do it either. Its just not worth the risk. They really cant get in trouble for refusing the transfer, as suspecting fraud on the 4473 is plenty enough reason to disallow it, and actually would be illegal for the license holder to allow the transfer (based on the same law about falsifying a 4473. Since the FFL has to sign the 4473 saying its their belief it is not unlawful to transfer the firearm, which if their belief is correct or incorrect, would still be falsifying information if for any reason they thought it wouldn't be legal to do the transfer). Emotions have no place in documents. Whoever wrote these forms really should be ashamed of themselves, but the wording is there and we have to live with it...