Gun Used in Ariz. Shooting Purchased Legally

(CBS)  The semi-automatic pistol Jared Loughner used to kill six and injure 13 others, including Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords, D-Ariz., was purchased legally, according to the Washington Post.

Law enforcement sources told the newspaper that weapon was legally purchased on Nov. 30 at Sportman's Warehouse in Tucson.

"This stuff should never happen," store manager Reese Widmier told the Washington Post. "We're cooperating with the ATF and all the federal agencies to help with this tragic incident."

Special Section: Tragedy in Tuscon

A source was unsure whether Loughner himself purchased the gun, or if someone else did, reports CBS News. A legal sale would involve the purchaser filling out paperwork and a background check to determine if the buyer is allowed to purchase a gun.

A source with knowledge of the gun involved in Saturday's shooting says the weapon used was a Glock 19 9mm semi-automatic pistol.

Importantly, the source said, the gun had a high capacity magazine that can hold up to 30 or more rounds, two to three times a normal magazine capacity; and witnesses said the magazine stuck out about 12 inches. The Glock website confirms that, reading that the standard magazine hold 15 rounds, while the high capacity magazine Loughner had can hold up to 33. One reports says the magazine was probably purchased separately.

The high capacity magazine was banned while the federal assault weapons ban was in place during the Clinton administration; the ban was allowed to expire during the Bush administration.

The gun normally retails for $499, a manager at the Tuscon store told CBS News, while declining to confirm the purchase. Sportman's Warehouse is national chain with stores in 25 states, according to its website.

[stupidrules3]

by Ms_enza January 9, 2011 6:02 AM EST
It was Arizona, probably 1 in 10 in that crowd was packing. Where were those "heroes"?

They were not pulling their guns and randomly firing in a crowd where innocents would be invariably hurt, as YOU would expect them to. Some of them probably were the ones who tackled this guy. Not all of us who carry weapons are going to pull them out and use them if it is unsafe to innocent bystanders. The huge majority of people who go armed take the responsibility very seriously.

[mecanik-2009]

To think this could have been stopped by out lawing guns is like believing that Mexico has stopped their killings by making it illegal to own firearms. We can see how thats working for them. Truth is there is absolutely no way to stop a psycho from attempting to kill someone else except by brute force from another person. How many security personnel were there. I would guess not enough.

[bradkt1]

While I have no problem with gun ownership, I see no need for these ammunition clips with the capacity to hold 30 rounds of more to be on the market. They were banned once and they should be banned again. They are not necessary for self defense any more than a machine gun or a bazooka is.

[WaterBuffaloRider]

Don't blame the NRA for making legal gun ownership easy for American lunatics and kids. Ted Nugent is in a state of functional dementia like Charlton Heston and Ronald Reagan were, before they lost the ability to hide their total incompetence. He can no longer increase his fan base on the merits of his music alone, so he builds it with Bible-Thumping Red Neck Republican support.

[Socialization]

The left which acts so innocent and blames the Tea Party for "hatred" should tread carefully.

Remember the film "Death of a President, about the assassination of George Bush? Followed by the play "President and Man' or Cindy Sheehan's Book: "Peace Mom" in which she fantasizes about going back in time and killing the infant George W. Bush.

Alec Baldwin's suggestion on the David Letterman show that Henry Hyde and his family should be dragged into the street and stoned to death.

Nicholson Baker's " Checkpoint," a novella conversation between two people about the advisability of assassinating Bush., "Kill Bush" t-shirt on sale at CafePress. The movie, "The Last Supper," starring Cameron Diaz and others where a group of young, hip Libs invite to Conservatives to diner to poison them under the rationale that they are preventing a future Hitler. At the end of the movie, they come to realize that killing is wrong so they spare their last Conservative who then goes on to be the next Hitler. Moral of the story, kill Conservatives if you have the chance.

How about Shot fired into Eric Cantor's offices, or The "Snipers Wanted" caption under a picture of George Bush on one of the late-night TV shows (Craig Kilborn) about 10 years ago.

And there is much much more.......

[newsbarn]

But none of these incedents got anyone killed, like the holocost museum killer was an Obama hater, as was the guy in PA who killed those cops, and the ones arrested in Michigan with bombs, big difference between movies and actually killing someone. I dont thing you will find any liberals who voted for Obama in the KKK, the American Nazi Party, or any of the violent skin head groups. There all christian conservatives.

[oldbasicgal]

by oldbasicgal January 9, 2011 10:37 AM EST
This is an appeal to all commenters who are taking this shooting to be anything more than a very sick young man acting on his own, or perhaps pushed forward by a friend.

Please, if this shooting has made you feel hate toward any group, and you feel that you might at some point today or in the future, lose control, please talk to someone.

If you have even one thought about revenge against any group that you may think at fault, please talk to someone who can help you get over these thoughts.

Please do not listen to the extremists on these comment boards. Most of them don't believe what they are posting; they just want to spread hate and fear.

Please talk to a professional. Go to a hospital or clinic, or some sort of establishment, and get help.

Thank you,

A concerned American

[RAS08]

The ultimate point of this story, should have been WHO purchased the gun. NOT give out just enough info to steer readers to their own conclusions. Poor poor writing.

[Molly-Pchr]

Just because something is "legal" doesn't make it right.

[wyodutch]

Baltimore, MD - January 9, 2011 -

Police say they were called to the home at 9 a.m. Friday for an intruder who'd made his way to the bedroom door where the woman who owned the home took action. The homeowner at the location fired several rounds at the burglar, hitting him at least once. The wounded suspect drove his truck to the nearby restaurant, which was about to open for the day.


When seconds count... Diall 911. The police will be there within minutes.

[wyodutch]

Blah.. blah blah... "Ban guns..." "Outlaw the NRA".. Blah... blah blah.
.
Most of you pontificating windbags are afraid to walk down your own neighborhood sidealks alone, because the young, yute thugs will slap you silly and steal your wallet.
.
Freedom is by nature, dangerous. If you want a safe society where the people are unarmed... Think about red china or North Korea.

I bet there are no shooting on the sidewalks of Pyongyang.

(NRA Life Member)

[Hobotron2084]

Thats the problem with handguns in this country versus say Switzerland where most folks are armed, but are far more intelligent about it and it a duty. The image of many NRA members being little dick gun toting racists, hunters, militia and rednecks is not far off the mark. Law enforcement does not the help of self styled and poorly trained macho jerks to interfere with their jobs of protecting us, whether on the sidewalks or homes.