Colo. shooter purchased guns legally from 3 different stores

(Top to bottom, clockwise) A Remington 870 shotgun, Smith & Wesson model M&P15T rifle and a Glock 22 handgun, which are reportedly the models of guns James Holmes purchased. / CBS

(CBS News) More information about the firearms used in the deadly shooting in Aurora, Colo. during the midnight "Dark Knight Rises" screening has come to light. A law enforcement source close to the investigation told CBS News that all the guns were purchased within the last six months, which is considered a "short time to the crime."

The guns were all purchased legally between May 22 and July 6 at three Colorado gun stores.

James Holmes purchased a Smith and Wesson .233 high powered semi-automatic rifle at Gander Mountain gun store in Thornton, Colo, according to the law enforcement source. He also bought a .40 caliber Glock pistol at Gander Mountain gun store in Aurora, Colo. Another .40 caliber glock handgun and a Remington 870 shotgun were purchased at Bass Pro Shops in Denver, Colo.

Wearing full body armor and wearing a gas mask, Holmes allegedly entered the Century 16 theater through a fire exit and threw two gas canisters into the audience. He then opened fire on the audience, hitting 79 people. At least 12 are dead and 59 more are wounded. The semi-automatic rifle, shotgun and one of the pistols was used during the massacre.

Bass Pro Shops offered their "deepest sympathies" to the victims and their families in a statement to CBS News.

"This is an unspeakable tragedy, and we join with all Americans in offering our prayerful support," Larry Whiteley, Manager of Bass Pro Shops Communications, at Springfield, Mo. corp. headquarters, said.

"Based on the records we have reviewed, personnel in our Denver store correctly and fully followed all federal requirements with respect to the sale of one shotgun and one handgun to the individual identified in this incident. Background checks, as required by federal law, were properly conducted, and he was approved. Again, our hearts go out to the victims and their families. We also offer our support and appreciation to the law enforcement and emergency response professionals and all others who responded to give aid to these innocent victims."

The other chain store, Gander Mountain, also offered their condolences.

"Gander Mountain fully cooperates with law enforcement in criminal investigations like the one regarding the tragic events in Colorado," Jess Myers, media and public relations specialist, told CBS News in a statement. "We operate in strict compliance with all local, state, and federal laws regarding firearms ownership and are fully cooperating with this on-going investigation. As long-time business owners in Aurora, this community is our home and the home to many of our associates and customers. We send our thoughts and prayers out to those affected. In respect for the victims of this tragic crime and their families, we will have no further comment in this matter."

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Shooting rampage in Colo. theater

Federal law requires licensed firearm dealers to alert authorities of repeat gun purchases only when a buyer purchases two handguns from the same dealer within five days. Other multiple gun purchases do not require notification of law enforcement.

Aurora police chief Daniel Oates had previously confirmed that Holmes was found with an AR-15 assault rifle, Remington 860 shotgun and .40 caliber glock handgun. A second .40 caliber handgun was found in his car.

[DemsLow]

Questions for Liberal Media:

How did Holmes get a full size AR-15 with round drum, Remington 870 12-gague pump, .40 Caliber Glock, and rounds of ammo into Cinemark Century 16 theater; that has a strict NO gun policy, including NO concealed carry guns?

How come Cinemark Century 16 theater did not have armed security guards, (especially at a late-night showing) to provide their patroons with protection that Cinemark denied them?

[juststandinghereallalone]

Millions of people that enjoy the shooting sports or hunts has that much ammo on hand. Ammo is cheaper in bulk and with prices on metal skyrocketing people are stocking up. Weapons, ammo and other equipment in the hands of law abiding citizens isn't a threat to anyone. Our lack of mental healthcare in this country and a News Media that hypes these tragedies for ratings, giving psychos a world stage and ready made plans from previous attacks is the threat. This is a terrible violent act and my heart goes out to all those effected. It will probably come to light that this was the act of a mentally and emotionally disturbed individual that wanted to take his angst out on society. People will be looking for answers as to why this person chose to do this, and how he planned this out. The News Media should take credit for creating this monster and giving him the incentive and ideas to carry this massacre out. This is just another instance where a copycat psycho has been educated by the constant exploitation of similar shootings in the past. The Media use these events to hype their ratings, and go into 24/7 coverage, giving all the gore and details and gives a world stage for these nut jobs to get fame, notoriety and inflict maximum damage on our society. Here's an idea News Media, do your job in an ethical manner, report the story then shut the hell up.

[foo8259]

Yeah, I think that's why the suspect wanted to live -- to enjoy the media circus going on now. Then there will be his trial. We will be hearing about this for a long, long time. His mug shot reminds me of the nut-job that tried to kill that lady at Safeway in AZ -- wild/crazy. I try not to watch this stuff, but it's everywhere.

[Avedis_Zildjian]

"Machine guns"? lol. Never fails to amaze me how people who know nothing about guns can turn "semi-auto" into "machine guns" Guess it sounds more exciting. Maybe it kills you even deader eh? This guy wouldn't have killed anyone if he couldnt get a gun for sure. No way would he make a bomb or something. Timothy McVeigh anyone? See, if we could just outlaw rental trucks...and fertilizer...we could have prevented that. And outlaw baseball bats, knives, cars, poison, antifreeze, fires, rocks.......

[akrshoc]

People are the problem, mostly the people with guns.

[lawabidinggunowner]

i brought a gun into dark knight rises with me. and i also walked out of dark knight rises as a law abiding citizen. i think if more people carried (and the mentality of much of the country was less gun-shy), people would be even less enticed to commit otracities such as this one. guns are tools (a lawnmower will not cut grass on its own, nor will a pan cook you a meal on its own). they are, always have been and always will be a necessary tool in this country. a tool that can symbolize liberty and balance of freedom, the type of freedom that allows one to sleep at home or walk down a street and know this America, and that you should never have to fear living freely or securely. it can even ensure the type of liberty and safety of the citizens against would-be foreign invaders, or injustices caused by corruption in the government. a tool that can put dinner on ones plate. a recreational tool for entertainment. a tool for oppression against those who do not have them. i think this is a very unfortunate event. these unfortunate events do happen. taking many sociology courses, i have learned that the one thing one must do is always look at the facts. media sources (news) do not always present facts. they may be influenced by biases, other motivations, and may also even just be trying to appeal to a certain crowd. for example, we all hear of how tragic plane crashes are, and it may send fear into the nation, even in the slightest when stepping foot on planes, but it is due to the medias mass projection of what we want to hear. the nitty gritty. the different story. the tragic story. the fact of the matter is that you probably would never pay any further consideration to the dangers or think twice about stepping into your automobile (#1 cause of accidental death in the USA); or even about walking up a flight of stairs (#3 falling) or having a bite to eat (#5 choking). I truly believe that guns prevent more crimes, injustices, oppression, and trouble than they cause. Once again, this is a tragic event and my condolences go out to the families and loved ones of the victims, however, I would like to redirect you away from the media's focus on gun reform, and onto actual rarity of such an occurence (there are an approximated %50 of United States households containing guns). Do the math. thats 55million give or take. You may hear of these events for weeks at a time, but how many events do you hear of? I will take the peace of mind in knowing that my liberty will ensured, and knowin that i can legally own firearms, and I will still be at peace of mind knowing anomaly events such as these can occur. i will take that gamble. and i will also continue to be prepared if i was ever to encounter such anomally.



"But now if you have a purse, take it, and also a bag; and if you don't have a sword, sell your cloak and buy one..."-Jesus.

[CMon5362]

If you open a bible and read that passage further, Luke 22:38: "The disciples said, "See, Lord, here are two swords." "That's enough" he replied.

[inbethlehem]

Compared to the rest of the civilized world, our American society is embarrassingly and senslessly violent. Sadly, these all-too-frequent rampages are simply the symptom, not the disease.

[Jack575857686906858]

Please explain why when there were no laws restricting gun or drug possession in America at all, senseless "rampages" were non-existent, and what violence occurred had obvious motive...

[sweetcakesmaria]

Gun control in America won't happen until gangbangers start shooting up the suburbs with automatic weapons. That's when Congress will say to heck with the NRA and pass legislation to keep assault rifles out of the hands of crazed citizens.

[Jack575857686906858]

Gangbangers don't shoot the suburbs -- too many people shooting back.

Wake up, sweet'ums...

[displeased2]

Yeah, Jack. Kind of like they were "shooting back" in the movie theater. Maybe you should wake up.

[foo8259]

Time to recall the public execution? It's done in some Muslim countries where crimes are rare.

"Take all the rope in Texas
Find a tall Oak tree
Round up all of them bad boys
Hang'm high in the street
For all the people to see."

"Cause justice is the one thing
you should always find
you got to saddle up your boys
you gotta draw a hard line
when the gun smoke settles
we'll sing a victory tune
and we'll all meet back at the local salloon
We'll raise up our glasses against evil forces
singing whiskey for my men, beer for my horses
We've got too many gangsters
doin dirty deeds
too much corruption and crime in the streets
It's time the long arm of the law put a few more in the ground
send them all to their maker and he'll settle'm down ...

Toby Keith -- Beer For My Horses, Lyrics.

[geoguy53]

My very brief feelings on gun control and and sentencing of criminals wielding guns: If you discharge a gun in the commission of a crime you get the death penalty. Period. No exception. Guilty by reason of insanity. Nope. Death penalty, no exceptions.

[sweetcakesmaria]

Todays carnage in Colorado was terrible but the copycat crazy is probably already licking his lips and amassing his automatic weapons arsenal to come up with something to top this. If Congress doesn't act to keep these automatic weapons on the battlefield where they belong, it's only a matter of time before there's another duplicate slaughtering.

[to_john]

No automatic weapons were involved, but why bother splitting hairs on the truth?

[Aceduece]

Since the NRA wants all to carry guns I would think they would step forward to provide him with legal aid for his trial. Everyone knows he had the right to carry his machine guns and do with them as he pleases.....right NRA??????

[Jack575857686906858]

What is it about lies that turns you on?