Where did he get a semi-automatic 9-mm gun?

[kentuck]

If everyone seemed to know he was unstable, how could he just walk in someplace and get a gun? Or maybe he stole it? Should "unstable individuals" not have to register their guns?

If he was an "unstable individual", it doesn't matter if he was a Republican or a Democrat, a liberal or a conservative, he was psychologically unstable and should not have had a license to own a gun. I know there are those that say "But then who would be next to be asked to surrender their gun?" However, the price of liberty is eternal vigilance. Let's make sure we are vigilant about the right things and this would be a much better country, in my opinion.

(edited to save from hijacking) :-)

[Avalux]

1. I heard on CNN it was a registered gun. All above board.

Now the question is - how on earth was he EVER granted a license? They must not do background checks.

[Kali]

3. um this is Arizona

no license needed to own a gun

[Avalux]

8. Seriously??? I didn't know that, and apparently the dumbass on CNN didn't either!

Ridiculous they'd report it was a registered gun.

[Kali]

14. there are some record keeping/checking procedures for buying retail

but don't need a license here

[-..__...]

13. Nor should there ever be.

[Kaleva]

6. What would a background check have uncovered?

[Avalux]

9. He reportedly has a criminal record. n/t

[X_Digger]

15. There do seem to be conflicting reports.

Here's a snippet from a previous salon article:

http://www.salon.com/wires/us/2011/01/08/D9KKHB780_us_congresswoman_shot_gun/index.html

The Washington Post reported late Saturday that Loughner purchased the gun Nov. 30 from the Sportsman's Warehouse in Tucson.

Having bought it from a federally licensed dealer, he would have had to pass an NICS background check.

[RamboLiberal]

21. Charges were dismissed

Records from a public records service showed only a minor criminal charge against a Jared L. Loughner with the same date of birth, though such records can be incomplete. The Arizona Republic reported that the charge was for possession of drug paraphernalia. The charge was dismissed in 2008 by the city attorney after Loughner entered a pre-trial diversion program.

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/40980334/ns/us_news-crime_and_courts/

[X_Digger]

12. There is no 'registration' in AZ (or TX for that matter)

Apparently the shooter has never been involuntarily committed / been adjudicated 'mentally defective', and had no conviction that would stop him from being barred sale of a firearm by a licensed dealer.

[ProgressiveProfessor]

28. They do and he passed

[LisaL]

2. It was reported the gun was legally owned, so I presume he

bought it in a gun store.

[JustFiveMoreMinutes]

4. Maybe he bought it from the AZ governor?

[Kali]

5. I saw the name of the store earlier

but it was a sporting goods store in town, bought Nov. 30, I think

[Zoeisright]

7. Oh please. Getting a gun in this country is as easy as getting a gumball.

Don't make me laugh.

[RamboLiberal]

10. As long as he wasn't involuntarily committed to a mental hospital

Or had a felony he could buy it legally which he did.

And he could legally carry that firearm openly or concealed without a license or background check.

[JustFiveMoreMinutes]

11. So heartwarming he had a registered gun. Sure would hate for him to get into trouble.

[oneshooter]

18. No registration of firearms in Arizona. n/t

[valerief]

16. Wal-Mart? nt

[Mark Maker]

17. 1st of all you can't call nuts nuts here

mopinko (1000+ posts) Sat Jan-08-11 06:21 PM
Response to Original message
6. locking-

referring to people with mental illness (which this person may or may not be) as nuts or a loon does, in fact, insult members who have a personal involvement with this problem.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=439x143645

2nd he was turned down for the army but they don't disclose why. Maybe that should be made part of your public record along with any treatment for a mental disorder so the wrong people don't end up with dangerous things. Add it to your credit file or something.

[pipoman]

23. Help yourself

make all of your information "public record"...this is a public forum, tell us about your medical history please....and what was that social?

Dishonorable discharge from the military is reported to NICS and will result in denial. My neighbor was turned down for the army...flat feet...I guess his rights should be abridged because some Army restriction? Do you like the arbitrary nature of the no fly list too?

[Kievan Rus]

19. It's Arizona, their gun control laws are pitiful

[flvegan]

20. Making it about the gun is a bad idea.

He either got the gun legit or off the street. Fact is, it's very easy to get a gun in many parts of this country, and it's very easy to register it legally if you don't have any outstanding shit in your background check.

It also only bolsters the idea that *if* someone in a gun-happy state had been there with their CCW and armed to the teeth, they could have popped him off before he got to trigger-pull number 5.

Not that in this situation that would have been a horrible thing.

[kentuck]

22. Maybe the two guys that tackled him were carrying?

I can understand the deep paranoia about illegals coming across your border but does that mean that "everyone" has to be armed and no questions asked??

[RamboLiberal]

24. Actually 3rd guy who helped hold him down was carrying

He was in Wahlgreens when he heard the shots. By the time he came on the scene 2 others were wrestling with the gunman trying to prevent him from reloading. The 3rd guy did not draw his gun.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=439x147606

[RamboLiberal]

25. He bought 2 guns

Law enforcement officials have confirmed the gun that was used in the attack was bought legally. The shooter, allegedly Loughner, reportedly fired on Giffords from about four feet away, sending her to the hospital with critical wounds, injuring 18 people in total and killing six, including a child and a federal judge. The gun was purchased on November 30 at Sportman’s Warehouse, in Tucson, and was bought along with at least one additional handgun.

http://www.newsweek.com/2011/01/09/jared-lee-loughner-details-on-gabrielle-giffords-alleged-shooter.html

[kentuck]

26. I keep thinking of that guy with a gun strapped to his leg....

..that showed up at an Obama event and nobody said nothing?? How did we know he was stable and this individual was not?? Something doesn't equate with this insanity?

[flvegan]

27. In this unfortunate situation, folks that carry

don't tackle.

And no, everyone shouldn't be armed with no questions asked and at no point did I ever suggest that, thank you.

[kentuck]

29. Sorry, I was not suggesting anything about you personally..

I was questioning the idea of gun control without any oversight to speak of...

[flvegan]

30. I know.

I'm sorry if I made it seem that you had.