Rifle in Colo. theater shooting jammed: Source

Top to bottom, clockwise: A Remington 870 shotgun; Smith & Wesson model M&P15T rifle; and a Glock 22 handgun - models of weapons reportedly purchased by shooting suspect James Holmes. / CBS

(AP) WASHINGTON - A federal law enforcement official said the semi-automatic assault rifle used in the deadly Colorado movie theater shooting jammed during the attack.

The official said late Saturday the rifle had a high-capacity ammunition magazine which, based on witness accounts and evidence collected at the scene, apparently jammed.

The rifle's malfunction then forced the suspected shooter, James Holmes, to switch to another weapon.

The official spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss the investigation.

Aurora Police Chief Dan Oates has said a 100-round drum magazine was recovered at the scene of the shooting in suburban Denver. Oates said such a weapon was capable of firing 50 to 60 rounds a minute.

Police said Holmes also had two Glock pistols and a shotgun.

Holmes, a 24-year-old former graduate student, is in custody. The attack early Friday killed 12 people and wounded nearly 60 others.

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The Aurora shooting victims

19 Photos

The Colorado massacre suspect

Complete coverage: Colorado Movie Theater Massacre

[Chengisk]

In 1700s when the second amendment was adopted, no one forecast a day when people would walk around with arms that can fire a shot per second. No one saw madmen who would kill innocent men, women and children in droves for recreation or social vengeance. Congress has to take cognizance of such factors and discuss this issue again.

[centralcacoast]

I can't believe that some are blaming police. If there was a cop in every public venue, you'd be complaining about too much of a presence and a "police state". There are no where NEAR enough police to become a deterrent, no money to make that happen and not enough people to handle the complaints that would come. Give me a break.

[harv823]

I'd bet that some people continually against common sense gun laws are really GUN SHOP OWNERS who are afraid they'd lose some money if assault weapons were banned!

[matt6052]

The police stationed at the theater for crowd control should have entered and returned fire. It's uncoscienable that the community is sending food and pizza to the station house when the cops on the scene performed no real heroics. They deserve no free food.

[farmgirloftoday]

Here we go again---- just because someone lost there head for a brief moment lets blame it on guns.
Just like when the senator got shot that time.they want to reduce ammo.
That's all the news is talking about how James holmes got his guns. Why? What for? He did it the LEGAL way.
And was NOT a criminal at all till he carried out this crime at the Movie Theater.
Remember guns don't kill! It's the people behind the gun that do.
I'm a gun owner and I should have the right to protect my precious life from thugs and criminals.
But the law only allows me to keep my gun in the house for protection
Think about it! If we were allowed to carry guns maybe it would have been only one dead and one injured
Because some one caring there gun would have blown his head off before another innocent sole could have been harmed.
Lets talk about the lives lost, who they were , what they lived for, ect ( NOT GUNS )

[ThomasSense]

Isn't it absurd that an inexperienced person can cause so many wounded people just because the public allows this kind of equipment to be sold.
My question to the gun advocates is why do you need a semiautomatic with a large magazine? What can we eliminate that will allow more people to be safe from such casualties and still allow you to have pleasure in your target challenges, hunting, and personal safety?
There is an answer that the NRA can move toward. The status quo is unacceptable in this modern time.

[harv823]

Right! Also do you realize the NRA is even opposed to removing lead from bullets which harms the environment. This just shows that the NRA is opposed to any common sense gun law changes.

[finkfurst4]

Isn't it nice that you helpful American people are offering advice about how to prevent a jam...... AND THEN KILL MORE PEOPLE!!!

[Mike_in_USA]

Not every one who has a gun is as unbalanced as you. As I said before, have you ever noticed how many of these things happened with no cops present?

[kbbpll]

The NRA must immediately investigate how an assault rifle can jam at such a critical moment. This is unacceptible.

[ariz_1944]

busterdawgggy, I have heard the at least 3 persons had BUCK-SHOT wounds, have no info on wounds causing death.
14FREEK This A$$WIPE Must not have ever used a Semi-Auto before, or he should have been able to clear the jam in less tht 10 seconds, AM SURE GLAD HE COULDN"T, but just sayin he should have been able.

[busterdawgggy]

Thank you.

[Well_You_Aint_Me]

Agree, jams in semis are not that uncommon if they are not kept clean or if using the "wrong" ammunition.

Clearing a jam is something that anyone with some practical and knowledgeable use of the gun should be able to perform in a matter of seconds.

[14FREEK]

I have seen and written a few comments on this shooting. Mostly I blame the theater's NO Guns Allowed Policy (actuated for Concealed Carry Permit Holders). So what I would like to know is: was there anybody in the theater who possessed a CCW permit but who did not have a weapon? And to be fair, did they not have their weapon because of the policy or because they felt they would not need the weapon in that environment?

If the theater policy is that you can not enjoy your 2nd amendment rights in their theater then shouldn't the theater be responsible for those rights whereby properly licensed citizens could have protected themselves and the other patrons as well?

CCW holders are like Air Marshals when you fly only they are volunteers. For the theater to prohibit this avenue of security is wrong And I say it therefore leaves them liable for the responsibility of their patrons safety.