Authorities: Suspect bought guns in last 2 months

James Holmes / CBS/University of Colorado Denver

(AP) AURORA, Colo. - The four weapons recovered in a mass shooting at a movie theater were purchased by the suspect from retail gun stores in Colorado in the last two months, authorities said Friday.

Police in Aurora, a suburb of Denver, said nearly 7,000 rounds and multiple magazines for those weapons also were purchased online. The suspect, James Holmes, is in police custody.

"My understanding is that all the weapons that he possessed, he possessed legally. And all the clips that he possessed, he possessed legally. And all the ammunition that he possessed, he possessed legally," police chief Dan Oates said at a press conference.

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A federal law enforcement officer said Holmes bought one of the four guns — the first of two Glock pistols — on May 22 at Gander Mountain in Aurora, Colo. The official spoke on condition of anonymity because the probe into the shootings is ongoing.

Larry Whiteley, a Bass Pro Shops spokesman, said records show that its Denver store followed federal rules in selling a shotgun and a Glock pistol to Holmes.

"Background checks, as required by federal law, were properly conducted, and (Holmes) was approved," Whiteley said in a statement.

Gander Mountain, which sold an AR-15 assault rifle believed to be used in the shootings at a movie theater in Aurora, said the company was in compliance with state and federal laws and that it was "fully cooperating with this ongoing investigation."

A second federal law enforcement official said Holmes had a high-capacity ammunition magazine in the assault rifle. Oates said a 100-round drum magazine was recovered at the scene.

The type of ammunition magazine Holmes is accused of using was banned for new production under the old federal assault weapon ban, said Daniel Vice, senior attorney for the Brady Center to Prevent Gun Violence.

When the ban expired in 2004, gun manufacturers flooded the market with the type of high capacity magazines Holmes used Friday, Vice said.

Oates did not specify the type of rifle, but said that experts told him "with that drum magazine, he could have gotten off 50 to 60 rounds, even if it was semiautomatic, within one minute. And as far as we know, it was a pretty rapid pace of fire in that theater."

Oates said Holmes purchased ammunition over the Internet, including thousands of rounds and multiple magazines for the assault rifle.

Authorities have said that Holmes had on an all-black ensemble of protective gear at the time of the shooting. An online seller of tactical police gear told the St. Louis Post-Dispatch that it sold more than $300 of equipment, such as an assault vest, magazine pouches and a knife, to Holmes on July 2.

Chad Weinman, the CEO of Missouri-based TacticalGear.com, said Friday that Holmes had purchased two-day shipping for the items. He said the expedited timing for the items showed "some relevance as to what kind of mindset he was in." A message left after business hours Friday by the Associated Press was not immediately returned.

Holmes is also believed to have hurled two gas canisters into the theater before opening fire.

Holmes' gun purchases include:

— On May 28, six days after purchasing the Glock, Holmes purchased the shotgun used in the shootings from Bass Pro Shops in Denver.

— On June 7, Holmes bought the AR-15 assault rifle at a Gander Mountain store in Thornton, Colo.

— On July 6, Holmes returned to the Bass Pro Shops store in Denver and bought the other Glock pistol.

[americanusa]

did he most likley use federal financial aid money to buy the guns, ammunition, etc? probably nothing could have been done to stop this, but he was a high achieve who was failing and couldn't accept failure. now we have a guy failed his regular phd program and turned to a PHd in 'mayhem', domestic terrorism, and mass murder. terrible, just terrible.

[mollydtt]

Pretty soon we'll all be legally carrying bazookas and stingers "just in case".
I realize that the NRA glorifies stockpiling weapons. The rallying cry seems to be "to take our country back",but I have never understood who or what our guns are supposed to take back our country from.
What is the need for weapons in the hands of regular citizens "that wish to defend themselves" that can kill a hundred people in a minute or two?

[1stlttightwad]

You truly don't understand, do you. The 2nd Amendment guarantess all the others..the 2nd was to insure that a tyrannical gov. could not run roughshod over us and make us do anything against our common good and common will. Take a look at the actions of dictators in history. What is the first thing they do..Outlaw gun ownership..No guns..they can't disobey your will. Take back our country from whom?? Maybe someone in power that does not respect the rule of law, someone that thinks he is above the supreme court and congress and the laws that it has passed do not have to be obeyed because he or his minions don't think it's constitutional..Ignoring that it is written law and by oath they swore to uphold ALL the laws and not just the ones they like. Can we say..."IF congress won't do it. I will", sound familiar. Remember the Watts riots?. The only shops that were not looted and burned had the owners on the roof tops with weapons keeping the hoards away. There is your hundred people. IF I have more on my side of the door than you do..guess what..you ain't getting in. Wake up! No law can or will deter wackos and criminals..It's their nature to disobey authorities and guess what...THE LAW.

[1stlttightwad]

To homeless..Sarcasm or not. I agree.

[jerryomara]

It is a shame so many men in the U.S. need to use a gun or rifle as an extension to what they are missing in there pants. With the exception of hunting no one in the U.S. should be allowed to by a gun. Please don't tell me about the constitution it's reading on this subject has been misconstrued. Yes guns do kill people to all of the men who right the opposite as they hold on to that large thing ha ha ha

[1stlttightwad]

Hmmm, My, my, such psychobabble..Me thinks you need a really big gun and are jealous of someone who really knows how to use their "gun". Looks like you choose to be "gun less" Miscontrued, read the original letters by the founding fathers to understand their thinking and reasoning..and oh by the way, the same guns used to hunt also can kill people..That's why our soldiers are the best shots in the world..they started shooting and hunting and know how to handle their "gun"..Make your psychobabble comment to a Marine or Soldier and see where you get...after you come to.

[wjss75606]

My understanding is he was wearing body armor, leg armor and a ballistic helmet. Return fire probably would have had no effect on him. I have a CCL and am a firm believer in being ready, however, he was prepared. Now my question is, from my reading of the various articles is that he entered the theater with a ticket, exited an emergency door and then came back in shooting. Why no alarm on the exit door? Usually they put sometype of alarm just to prevent people from sneaking their friends in but seems like an alarm going off could have had some mitigating effect on at least warning someone that something was happeing that shouldn't be. The pundits, politicians, psychos will be analyzing this for a long time on why, how to prevent and all are going to have controversial theories. Let's just start the healing process, put this guy out of his misery. There isn't a simple one size fits all answer to this happening. Increasing guns, reducing/restricting guns, tougher laws all will be presented. Facts are, people like this will obtain either firearms or other weapons,explosives etc no matter how many laws are put in place. Tim McV used fertilizer. Let's just show our support, prayers for the victims and their families and quit bickering amongst ourselves and trying to politicize or force our opinions on each other.

[1stlttightwad]

It has started..It always does..If he didn't have such and such he couldn't have done such and such..Let's all blame the inanimate object..Let's blame the car dealer for selling a guy a 6000lb truck that the drunk driver uses to kill someone. There is NO protection from an idiot or stupid actions is there? This idiot had all LEGAL rights to buy and purchase the weapons and ammo and had NO previous infractions of the law in any way..Now, let's take the guy buying the truck...if he had a previous DUI, guess what, he could still be legally able to buy it. Would he not. So, once again don't blame the gun..The idiot behind the gun pulled the trigger..Go ahead and pass some stupid law that only affects law abiding people...ever hear that criminals don't obey laws? Pass a law?? Are you kidding, there is not a single democrat or republican willing to touch that.

[55minus5]

And that is a tragic problem.
If someone stockpiles guns and ammo in the times of peace, then a question is: Why? What for?

[honest_pols]

CAUSED BY HOLLYWOOD AND OTHER DEPRAVED, VIOLENCE-GLORIFYING MOVIE PRODUCERS

Much of the violence, rampages of murder, and the publicity or attention that follows, is in no small part responsible for such tragic incidents - more so than the guns or weapons used.

Hollywood producers, directors, and supporters of such movies, TV shows, etc, who glorify macho/hero mentality and behavior, should be liable for compensatory damages, and probably criminally prosecuted.

America as leader - and as MAJOR MAJOR contributing factor to both world evolution and depravity - must reassess its purpose, particularly as example to the young and thereby our world's future.

In any case,

"Draconian, convulsive changes for RESOCIALIZATION are definitely in our cards."


PRODUCTION INSTEAD OF DESTRUCTION

Let our directors, our producers, their supporters and associates, and others who profit from glorifying violence, start producing tangible and BENEFICIAL products - which are helpful their country and community - besides more UNPRODUCTIVE hot air and services!

[55minus5]

How many movies with a great story, a profound humanistic message, without being shallow and artificially sweetened, are available? Almost none.

[democracy8]

People have the choice to decide which movies they want to see or not. No one is forcing violent movies down anyone's throats. If you don't like the movie, don't go to see it.

[matt6052]

The coverage is being steered.

No one knows yet how fast he was firing. We do know that police would not enter the theater to return fire until their gas masks arrived. Before that happened, the suspect stopped firing, walked outside, and entered his vehicle. He had a 100-round drum clip, and 71 people had at least one bullet in them. But we don't know exactly how fast he was firing.

I'm unconvinced the police risked anything or stopped anything. Let's see an interview with the cop who entered the theater while the gunman was firing.

I liked the Chief's comment about how food and pizzas have been pouring into the station house all day.

[ThomasSense]

1 death would have been a tragic act of insanity. 12+ dead is a sin of society.
Why should anyone need an assault rifle? What is the purpose of extended clips and 100 round magazine?
With about 70 people wounded, it is a miracle that more haven't died.

[marymia0218]

please take down his picture. he wanted his five minutes of fame and you are giving it to him. please take down his picture out of respect for the injured and dead. do not reward him for doing this. please.

[jmn122736]

Ditto

[Jhihmoac]

I agree...This, and the booby traps in his apartment are probably his way of letting no one forget who he is...

Enough...We already know now! :P

[nohater]

why are some people against the death penalty and timely executions? this man should be executed within a year but lawyers, judges along with what seems the majority of the public will probably not execute him. fortunate for this murderer, it is not my decision as he would be executed within a year if not sooner.

[democracy8]

Considering that he was caught red-handed and seems to have made some sort of a confession (not to mention the booby-trapped apartment), I doubt that he'll escape the death penalty (which is allowed in Colorado) or find excuses for appeals.