Adam Lanza, the Newtown killer of 20 children, had NRA certificate in his name

[Cali_Democrat]

Adam Lanza, the man behind the massacre at an elementary school in Newtown, Conn., possessed a National Rifle Association certificate in his name, new reports say.

Reuters reported that according to documents released on Thursday, police discovered NRA certificates in the name of Lanza and his mother, Nancy Lanza — whom he killed before starting the shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary School. The two reportedly frequented gun ranges together as Adam Lanza was growing up.

An NRA guide to pistol shooting basics was also discovered, NBC News reported, citing authorities.

According to documents posted online, during a search of the Lanza home, an “Adam Lanza National Rifle Association Certificate” was discovered in a blue and white duffel bag that also contained a “‘Blazer’ .22 cal long rifle (50 rounds),” as well as eye and ear protection, cartridges and “numerous paper targets,” among other items.

Read more: http://www.politico.com/story/2013/03/adam-lanza-mom-nra-certificates-89426.html

[Jenoch]

1. What did the

NRA Certificate certify?

[nonoyes]

3. An excellent question

I suppose they give out certificates to anyone who gives them money.

[Jenoch]

4. I here you.

However my point is to ask what is the significance of the certificates? None that I know of. Those certificates are handed out at gun ranges for various reasons, none of which seem particularly important to the case. It is already known that Lanza and his mother had been to gun ranges, although I have not read any details of where, when, or the frequency of those visits.

[av8r1998]

6. no

The NRA Basic Pistol Certificate is the training required to get a pistol permit, and to shoot handguns at most shooting ranges in ct.

We already know he went to the range with his mother. A basic safety course isn't unusual

Then again im just an NRA talking point spouting gun troll so what do I know?

[Jenoch]

11. Thank you for that information.

I am unfamiliar with all of the gun laws in CT. I understand there are requirements for transport in CT and other eastern states that are stringent.


So basically the certificate is a requirement to take a handgun to the range in CT. We already knew Lanza and his mother were doing that so the certificate is immaterial to the case (except that they were apparently following the CT gun laws.)

The obvious conclusion to come to about this case is that Mrs. Lanza was extremely negligent in her actions related to her son and guns, although not necessarily in a legal sense.

[av8r1998]

12. actually

A pistol permit is required to take a handgun to a range. Some ranges want anyone shooting to have AT LEAST a basic pistol cert, even when shooting supervised.

[av8r1998]

15. This is a "Difficult" analysis at best

Legally in CT she did nothing wrong, UNLESS Adam met some specific criteria that prohibited him from posessing firearms in the home.

Morally, that's another matter, and one we may NEVER know the answer to.
There are stories that he was autistic and had asbergers, but violent behavior is not one of the known symptoms of those conditions.
He MAY have been (to her) very docile, and non-confrontational.

Asbergers and Autism are not (of themselves) exclusions for having a firearm. e.g. SOME people with asbergers get violent. So do SOME cops, and SOME computer programmers. But there is no more a correlation that I am aware of between computer programmers "Going Postal" and autism patients. There goes about the extent of MY knowledge re: mental health. Unless and until Adam Lanza's father authorizes release of his medical records, we will NEVER know whether she was negligent or not. (Donning flame retardant suit now) That said, even if she was grossly and criminally negligent, she paid a VERY heavy price for it. We no longer have the Death Penalty here in CT (thank god)

In my experience as a parent (of adult children) and a gun owner, my position is if you cannot LEGALLY purchase the item yourself, you cannot have access to any of mine. So for a pistol, that means a pistol permit. For a long gun that means a background check. I am not vain enough to think I know everything going on in my kids lives. If they want a shotgun, I have my local FFL do the background check and the mandatory 2 week wait.

So no, if he was my kid, we wouldn't have had a gun safe in his room, unless he was able to pass a background check.

[Jenoch]

21. I guess I forgot about the point

that the autism 'spectrum' (as it is now being referred to) usually manifests itself in mostly non-violent abnormal behavior. However, I read about the research this kid did about past mass shooters and how he apparently wished to surpass the carnage done previously. Given his mental situation, his mother should have known what he was up to.

http://www.nydailynews.com/news/national/lupica-lanza-plotted-massacre-years-article-1.1291408

[av8r1998]

22. should have

And did are 2 different things.
And he was pretty tech savvy. Most likely knew how to hide things.
Having known 3 suicide victims, the parents universally say "how did I miss this?"

[Straw Man]

5. Every NRA course gives a certificate.

Maybe he took Home Firearms Safety.

[Jenoch]

7. That's a possibility.

My point is that membership in the NRA is not a requirement to be given an NRA certificate. Knowing the point of the certificate would help to decide whether or not it is relevant. The media wish to use the certificate as a scarlet letter when in reality it likely is not significant to the case.

[Common Sense Party]

9. It was the highly coveted "NRA Mass Murder Qualification" certificate.

It's tough to get, but you know that EVERY member of the NRA wants one. That's what the whole organization is about.



This is the sloppiest attempt at guilt by association I've seen in quite a while.

[Kolesar]

2. Kids that had guns were pretty sadistic where I grew up, too

They shot peoples' pets, tortured wildlife, and destroyed property.

[Eleanors38]

8. And they farted loudly.

[Kolesar]

17. Is this all that you do all day?

the school marm of right-thinking??

[ProgressiveProfessor]

28. Somebody needs to address your hyperbole...

[Kolesar]

33. Cleveland's newspaper has it's shut ins and slackers spamming every comment section, too

Shouldn't you be out creating jobs or something?

[ProgressiveProfessor]

36. I keep forgetting you don't like discussions on discussion boards

I will try and be more sympathetic towards you next time

[Remmah2]

19. Sounds like some sick parents in that neighborhood.

Stuff like that didn't/does not go on in my neighborhood.

[Kolesar]

34. Gun culture, Appalachian styled

Who do you think is shooting up all the road signs?

[Remmah2]

35. Warped perspective.

I've traveled PA/WV/NC/VA in the western end. Hiking and rock picking off the beaten path. I see occasional bullet holes in signs but it's the rare exception and not the rule. I'd be more concerned about the beer cans and liquor bottles in the ditches than an occasional hole in a sign.

[ileus]

10. targets, cards, and ammo....oh my!

[Animal Chin]

13. A basic pistol safety course is required in Connecticut

In order to obtain a pistol permit. The statute specifies the NRA Basic Pistol Safety course by name as acceptable. I don't know of any other courses available in Connecticut. There may be some, but I'm sure that more than 90% of the pistol permit holders in CT took the NRA course. That is almost certainly what the "NRA Certificate" they found is.

Incidentally, a CT pistol permit is required to purchase a handgun in CT or to possess one outside of your home or work. Since the Glock was legally owned (and I understand taken to the range), then one or both of Lanza or his mother had a CT pistol permit.

[av8r1998]

16. Slight Correction

You cannot get a pistol permit in CT until you're 21.
Being 20, Lanza probably planned to apply for one, which would belie the inference that he had "Known Issues".

As for posession outside of the home, there is a "training exception". You MAY, subject to range rules, RENT a pistol for use at a range. Some ranges also will not let you shoot, even supervised, without a Basic Pistol certificate.
The training exception makes sense because the law requires you to live fire.

These rules do not apply to rifles. You need to be 18 to purchase a long gun, but not to posess one.

[Animal Chin]

20. Thanks

Did not know you had to be 21.

[Straw Man]

23. If CT is like NY ...

... a person under 21 can fire a handgun on a range with a certified instructor and could therefore earn the NRA Basic Pistol certificate. That person would still not be able to legally purchase or possess a handgun until he/she reaches the age of 21.

[av8r1998]

25. ct is much different than ny

In ct, you must be 18 to purchase a long gun.
You must have a pistol permit or eligibility certificate to purchase a handgun.
In order to possess a pistol outside your home or business you must

A) Have a pistol permit or
B) be transporting between your home or business and be locked up and unloaded or
C) be transporting from 1 home to another, locked and unloaded or
D) be transporting to or from a gunsmith for repair.

However
There is no age restriction on mere possession. For example, in some states you may purchase a handgun at 18. It would be legal to move that handgun with you to ct. You just can't leave the home with it without a permit.

There is also an exception for training. You do not need a permit to possess a handgun while training. Being on a shooting range constitutes training, so you do not need a permit to rent a gun, or to shoot someone else's. You DO need a permit to transport the gun to the range.

This means I can teach an 8 year old. (I probably wouldn't unless it was a bolt action rifle or single action only revolver.... 8 year olds tend to struggle with manual dexterity)

The 21 restriction is to obtain a pistol permit.
You cannot purchase, transport or carry other than in compliance with the above.

[Straw Man]

27. Actually not SO different ...

NY's minimum firearm-handling age is 12, not 8. NY's training exception is only for over-14 and under-21. NY doesn't allow permitless possession of handguns within the home or anywhere else.

Other then that, they appear to be pretty much the same.

[av8r1998]

29. ny law

Varies county to county.
That's why I teach so many people from Westchester.
They can't shoot till they get a permit.

[Straw Man]

30. Permit rules vary ...

... but the basic possession laws are the same. Permit rules even vary within counties because the individual judges have so much discretion.

[av8r1998]

31. also

MAJOR difference...
You can only carry a gun registered to you.

[Straw Man]

32. Right.

MAJOR difference...
You can only carry a gun registered to you.

Yes, in NY.

[hack89]

14. CT requires a NRA course to buy a handgun

You are required to complete a handgun safety course, which must consist of no less than the NRA's "Basic Pistol Course," prior to submitting the application.

http://www.ct.gov/despp/cwp/view.asp?a=4213&q=494614&desppNav_GID=2080

it would be more newsworthy if they did not have a NRA certificate.

[Remmah2]

18. Probably printed on an assault printer.

In technicolor ink.

[friendly_iconoclast]

24. From high-capacity ink cartridges, no doubt.

[sylvi]

26. Is this supposed to be some kind of "ah-HA" moment or something?

Sounds like someone's getting desperate. This is from people who check under their beds for Wayne LaPierre every night before lights out.

[ileus]

37. Brain washed by the NRA to kill no doubt.

After all the NRA is all about mass murder.