Virginia Tech Killer Used Easy-To-Get Guns

CBS News: Shooter Used Pistol, Handgun In State With No Registration, Gun-Waiting Period

(CBS)  A well-placed law enforcement source tells CBS News the weapons used in the massacre were a 9 mm semi-automatic handgun and .22-caliber pistol.

Both are readily available in gun shops across the United States and particularly accessible in the commonwealth of Virginia, which recently earned a C-minus rating by the Brady Center to Prevent Gun Violence.

“It’s much too easy to get guns in the state of Virginia,” said Paul Helmke, president of the Brady Center.

That’s in part because there's no gun registration, no mandatory waiting period to purchase weapons. The only major restriction: a limit of one gun purchase per month.

It remains unclear where the shooter purchased his pistols, CBS News chief investigative correspondent Armen Keteyian reports.

But CBS News discovered there was a gun show just 25 miles from Blacksburg last weekend where 405 guns were sold.

The magazine containing ammunition for the 9 mm handgun can carry between eight and 24 bullets, rapidly fired, and quickly reloaded.

Today the National Rifle Association "expressed its deepest condolences" to all those "affected by this horrible tragedy."

Meanwhile, a former campus police chief at Virginia Tech told CBS News that in recent years the school had bucked the state legislature and hunting culture and took steps to safeguard its student population. It required all guns be checked with campus police, collecting hundreds at a time.

Ironically, the school specifically banned the possession of firearms in dormitories or classrooms — the exact locations of today's unthinkable violence.

[rangergirl83]

The shootings that occured at Virginia Tech were horrible and tragic. But i just don't
understand how being biased against handguns fits into the story anywhere.Or is it just a way for CBS to get its real message of being Anti-Gun a little farther into the light???After watching the CBS Evening News,i was saddened and disgusted,and further more when i see the same message being pushed online.

[shiny123-2009]

As a resident of the Commonwealth of Virginia I am appalled at the accusation that our statewide, democratically created, voted on and approved, gun legislation is in any way to blame for the tragedy at Virginia Tech. These acts were performed by a criminal who had no respect for the preciousness of life or the law. To legally buy a gun in Virginia, you must present an ID and pass a background check through the Virginia State Police, even at gun shows. Although, I doubt a criminal would get their gun this way. As many criminals have proven in this country, there are always ways to get around gun laws. The Commonwealth of Virginia trusts its citizens to use firearms properly, as most of us do. We do not have incidences of this nature happen on a regular basis, unlike other states, New York and California, with sticter gun laws.

[extremophil]

I'm surprised that it took the gun-control pinheads so long to jump on their soap boxes.

[arj190]

There are a LOT of inuendoes being thrown out here by CBS. MAYBE the shooter bought the gun at a gun show, MAYBE he had a 24 round magazine, MAYBE he bought the gun legally, MAYBE, MAYBE, MAYBE, MAYBE. Report the facts when you have the facts and leave the MAYBE'S alone. Of course that doesn't fit with the liberal agenda does it?

[v2765936]

There so much freedom in this country that any one can buy a gun in any place In virginia you need almost nothing (only money) to have one So many valuable lifes lost in pursuit in that not understandable freedom

[chazzzz2]

The imaginary dichotomy between 'law-abiding citizen gun owners' and 'criminals' is a bit stale. The more guns and more ammo available, the greater likelihood it will be used -- to do precisely what it was designed to do. People who do not own guns do not use them to kill people.

[arj190]

I'm sorry, I forgot to mention that I am retired police officer and brother of a firearms homicide victim. Also, isn't it interesting that CBS learned that 405 guns were sold at last weekends gun show??? SOMEONE must be keeping tabs on what's going on!! There was a federal form filled out for every one of those guns!!

[mac2499-2009]

I guess 33 lives don't count for much for some people. How many lives have to be snuff out in a short period of time by one single individual before people get the idea thtat having the right to bear arms is not such a good idea? Are you afraid that the goverment is going to turn into a dictatorship? Do you believe your soldiers will follow orders blindly and take away your freedom?

[mac2499-2009]

Guns don't kill people but the people using those guns do. Therefore if you remove the guns the likelyhood of dying by a gun is reduce.

[mac2499-2009]

Oh what the hell. Americans love guns therefore if they love gun people should not be upset if they are injured by guns and their families should not be upset if their relatives die by one. They should accept the consequense of a society that believes owing guns is their god giving right. Sure some people will die at the hands of criminals but then they are going to heaven and I am sure they are in a much better place.

[arj190]

Probably more people killed each year by drunk drivers then guns aren't there? That doesn't get the big headlines though does it? Do you know why? Because at one time or another a LOT of people have driven drunk and know that they may do it again and they don't want DUI to be a big deal. 33 deaths at one time IS a big deal. You go ahead and take the guns from the law abiding folks and see who's left, AND what they're armed with.

[mikealford3]

It is a shame that the actions of one individual affect the freedoms of all of us. As a responsible gun owner I am equally upset by this terrible tragedy at Va. Tech. Although I stronly defend our right to keep and bear arms, I agree that the Commonwealth of Virginia needs more regulation and a more strict policy with regard to purchasing and owning handguns.

[arj190]

First let me say I hate it when I make a grammatical faux pas .... More people are killed by drunk drivers THAN guns.... Now then mac, that's a very lame theory. I felt VERY upset that a punk with a rap sheet as long as my arm shot my brother. I do NOT believe that tighter gun laws would have stopped him from having a gun. He was a CRIMINAL!!! Criminals BREAK LAWS!!! Do you understand that fact of life?

[chazzzz2]

You're probably right. All those legal guns and gun owners couldn't have prevented this. Arm everyone -- and bring in 320 body bags, or more, to clean up the mess.

[mhf2112]

Every time some gun related tragedy occurs the nut cases come out of the woodwork stating we should start banning guns. Well I can make a list of lots of things that kill way more people than guns do. We can start with Cigarettes,cars,motorcycles,alcohol,high cholesterol caused by eating too much saturated fat. I mean the list goes on. Should we just ban everything that causes death to humans? If so there wouldn't be much left. I love driving cars and riding motorcycles. Since they kill more people than guns do I would hate to see them become illegal.Ben Franklin stated "those that sacrifice freedom for safety deserve neither" Hitler disarmed the Jews back in WWII. Do I have to remind you what happened next? The funny thing is is when guns save lives you never hear about it on the evening news. I mean how many times has a cops life been saved by his gun? How many people have defended themselves from criminals using guns as protection? Guns don't kill people ,people kill people. I mean would you anti gun nuts feel better is someone was pushed out a window or run over by a car instead of being shot? Whats the difference? You are dead either way. Oh and CBS sucks!

[chazzzz2]

The anti-gun nuts don't kill people with guns; gun owners do. Sorry, but if you folks policed your own there'd be fewer stories like this.

[arj190]

chazzzzzzz, do you work for CBS? Because NOW you are starting to sound like them!!! Do you KNOW that this whacko was a "gun owner" or did he steal one, or did he get an illegal one? Come on, you're beginning to sound a little desperate.

[arj190]

I'll go quietly now. I came to cbsnews looking for information, (silly me)I got MAYBE this and MAYBE that and spoke up about it and then got the left wing's 2nd team of anti-gun goofs. Good Night to all, and God Bless the families of the victims of this tragedy.

[chazzzz2]

No, of course not. Just a simple point, really. The people who own guns are the only ones that can control guns. The first thing that comes to my mind, as a non-owner, is that I have to be able to trust the ones who own guns to control guns. Calls for gun control legislation is always the knee-jerk liberal response, and it doesn't work. I'll grant you that. But how is arming myself going to keep someone from shooting my kids when I'm hundreds of miles away? I guess I am a little desperate.

[arj190]

Here's the thing that bugs me chazzzz. You read the headline up there and what do you see? Liberal media bias is what you see!! Did the shooter use a "pistol" and a "revolver" or a "pistol" and a "handgun" They're BOTH handguns but they have to put the "handgun" thing in there to sensationalize it and drive home their point. Just like when they talk about how someone used an "automatic weapon" to commit this crime or that crime. That's BOGUS because those ARE (with a very few exceptions and a LOT of money, illegal) You do what you need to do to defend your rights as you see them. I'll do what I need to do to defend them for both of us.

[chazzzz2]

Point well taken. That's a fair observation.

[ltsam9]

Latest report is that the shooter was in the country on a visa. If that is the case, there is NO legal means my which he could obtain a gun of any type in any state. Non-legal means may or may not be easy depending on local law enforcement, but would involve another person who knowingly would commit a Federal felony.

[cbsossur]

I am not convinced having guns make you safer. I don't believe that was their intent. Their intent was to protect us against our own government and recreation - as far as I am concerned anyway. I am not a gun control nut by any means. I don't own a gun either - live by the sword die by the sword. However, I am not apposed to owning one for sport or collecting. But oddly enough the FBI has decided that I am a felon based on some computer database match up and for that reason I have been denied my constitutional right of ownership. Gee.. I bet the person they think I am has a gun. The FBI wants me to give them my finger prints to verify who I am. OK... I did that but the county did not cross their t's and dot their i's properly so it was rejected. Then I thought to my self, why should I trust the FBI. Isn't it their job to investigate? Needless to say I still do not have a gun but if I decide I need one I will have to go through other channels to get one.

If you are wondering what caused me to find this out, I was trying to be two pre ww2 Russian riffles. They were made as the advancing german army was making their way to Moscow. Sure would have made a great collectors item. The Serial numbers matched too.

[arj190]

Good luck to you chazzzzz. You seem to be a fair person, I'll call a truce with you.

[tool73]

Hey Second Amendment nutjob guns kill people period you psycho!!

[arj190]

I suppose you're talking to ME?? LOL You seem to be very happy to exercise your 1st ammendment right while attacking the 2nd ammendment.... I guess only the part of the Consitution that appeals to you is the only part that matters, eh? It's ok, I'll do my best to support your rights too.

[arj190]

Actually, chazzz and mac were a LOT more civilized, they made what they felt were valid points and didn't have to resort to childish name calling. :o)

[arj190]

Mr. tool73, can you tell me how many guns Timothy McVea (sp) used in Oklahoma City???

[arj190]

For that matter how many guns did the 9-11 hijackers use? Was it just about the SAME number?? ZERO???

[steveew]

"Ironically, the school specifically banned the possession of firearms in dormitories or classrooms %u2014 the exact locations of today's unthinkable violence. "

Hmmm ... I wonder how many concealed carry permit holders were killed or helpless to defend others becase they had to leave their guns in their car?

Look at any other country in the world. People who really want guns can get them. And in this country ... even if the anti-gun movement started gaining huge allies now, they wouldn't eliminate all guns for decades. And hunters would probably always be able to get guns -- criminals certainly would.

As long as there are any guns of any kind available (and it's impossible to make it otherwise), there can be killings like this. Yet for some reason the anti-gun people continually pass rules to make sure that only CRIMINALS and murders have access to them. And the result is college students herded like sheep to the slaughter and unable to defend themselves.

Ironically, more guns WILL make us safer, so long as the right people have the ability and training to carry them. And I don't mean just police, and mean any law abiding citizen who chooses to.

[arj190]

I would really doubt that there were any. IF there were....... :o(

[armyknife-2009]

I find it extremely troubling to see such bias written in this column. Point out a few for example:

1. Title "Virginia Tech Killer Used Easy-To-Get Guns". The title itself suggest that the accessibility of firearm have something to do with the murder. Honestly, it doesn't matter if the guy use a pistol, revolver, or machine gun. means of access have nothing to do with why someone want to kill. If he used a stash of steak knives, is the title going to read "...Killer used Easy-to-Get Steak Knives"?

[armyknife-2009]

2. "Fast Fact: CBS News discovered there was a gun show just 25 miles from Blacksburg last weekend where 405 guns were sold." This statement further suggest that gun show = easy access. There isn't even prove at this point, that the shooter own the guns used in the crime. CBS seem to suggest that the shooter could have obtained the gun at that particular show, and that show directly influence the outcome of today's slaughter. If the student were to drive a hummer into the dorm, and then drive the car into gathering student. hypothetically CBS would be running a fast fact on "CBS News discover there was a sale at a GM dealership 25miles away"? what is the connection? none.

In conclusion, I think news media like CBS should not suggest correlations where there isn't any. I question what is the goal and motive for this particular article. Is it to scare people who know little about gun laws? Media should stop creating fear in the public, so eventually we'll all give up our rights to anything and everything out of fear? The problem here, is not how easy or where one can obtain a gun. The problem is why these people are motivated to kill. Why the society as a whole fail to identify people with problems, and give them proper support so such tragedy will not happen again.

[chazzzz2]

Now its 'blame the immigrants' -- what an original idea. I thought you were going to say 'round them up and shoot them.' I guess that's plan B?

[djermano1]

Hey what's the big deal? We have a President who thinks war is OK. Murder is a staple of life. People make guns to kill people. It is that simple. Thinking people have guns to stop crimes, is far from reality, when in fact those people are the ones who commit the crimes. Police can kill and get away with it. Bush can say how terrible it is in Virginia Tech, and not bat an eye to the thousands of women children he mowed down in Iraq. And when the Iraqi men tried to protect their family, Bush calls them terrorists. Ha Ha Ha....Bush you are destroying not only Iraq but getting people to support your terror also in America. All we know this nut case who killed 33 students was a member of the NRA, to go on a killing spree, to make people believe they need a gun, and to put fear into the people so Congress passes legislation to fund the troops in Iraq. Oh such evil webs you spin Bush. You are a hyprocrit in your fathers kinder gentler nation....HA HA HA HA HA....you sick beguiled traitors to God. Shame on you..

[arj190]

So, I guess you've been troubled for decades now by the mainstream media?? Did you think they'd pass up this chance to try to erode the 2nd ammendment? I am a little surprised by their lack of support for Mr. Imus and the 1st ammendment (even though he probably got what he deserved,) and if Rosie would get hers, then things might even out... LOL

[arj190]

Ok, dejermano1, put the bottle down now and back away!! Where did you get the part about the guy was a member of the NRA?? Shoot, we don't even know who he was yet.... You can be arrested for smoking that stuff you know....

[rheola-2009]

To all you people who are against some form of gun control.

Have an honest look at what happened in Australia, as a result of fairly stringent gun control laws.

Australia has never since had even a hint of any radical form of militia attempt to take over.
That claim is the claim of those desperately wishing to keep their deadly little toys in the U.S.

My heart goes out to the families etc of those killed and injured.
How many more times are Americans going to have to say just that.
Posted by rheola at 05:19 PM : Apr 16, 2007

This is a copy of a previous post.

[arj190]

Oh yeah dj.... the rest of that ranting was not germane to this topic.. Let's try to stay focused here ok??

[samthetvcat]

With all freedom comes responsibility, and we all know that not everybody in any society is responsible. Easier access to guns necessarily equals greater misuse - that just straight logic. I guess if gun access is important in some areas of the country then greater knowledge of the signs of disturbed individuals and greater vigilance might perhaps succeed in thwarting some future tragedies but it isn't going to succeed in thwarting all of them. Nor is greater gun control for that matter. I guess greater knowledge and greater vigilance is called for in any case - although I thought we all learned that from Columbine so I guess I'm not really sure why such horrors continue to plague society . . .

[arj190]

rheola, I'm sorry if this turns out to be a duplicate post but, WHAT are you talking about, and do you realize how many gun laws are in place in this country today? Do you realize that some of the highest rates of firearms crimes occur in cities with the most stingent gun laws?? I didn't think you did, I'm glad I was able to help you broaden your knowlege, you're welcome.

[rheola-2009]

Samthetvcat

I say again, have a look at the enmormous drop in gun related deaths in Australia, since the introduction of gun control, but do so with an open mind, remembering Australia has a similar organisation to the NRA, do not just accept their self appeasing numbers.

Of course I can not say that a similar event to Port Arthur, which the gun laws were a result of, will not happen again, but it is very much harder for a person with a phsychiatrict problem to get a gun.

[rheola-2009]

arj190

I understand what you say, but a comparison of the laws in any one or all of the States of the U.S. will show there is no comparison, with those of Australia.

Further our gun laws are basically nation wide, not different states necessarily setting their own inconsistant laws.

[eddred33]

Oh Lord, I knew this was going to happen!

[rheola-2009]

Edredd33

Had to sooner or later.

Because of such an unfortunate attrocity, I imagine there will be much more in future days.

Hopefully most will be rational in their contribution to any debate.

[samthetvcat]

rheola

Oh, okay I kind of got confused when I read your post - I'm ALL for gun control, if it were up to me I'd ban all guns all over the world.

I guess my thinking is just that with 2A, gun control will never reach a point where it'll prevent somebody who wants to kill people from following through - like somebody could be sane for years and then like snap . . . this seems to happen a lot with those office shootings. Also, a person could steal a gun or buy one from the black market . . .

[arj190]

rheola, I AM going to bed now. I really don't care what kind of gun laws you have in Australia. There ARE federal laws that must be followed here and background checks that must be complied with in order to LEGALLY obtain a firearm. I guess Port Arthur might be a point showing the weakness in your laws. Why is it that Switzerland has an army of soldiers who are basicly just plain citizens and they all have their assault rifles at home in their closets and their murder rates are so low?? How about England? They have VERY strong laws... "we'll just use bombs!!!"

[rheola-2009]

Samthetvcat

Yes that posting did not make a lot of sense here, it was relevant to another post earlier today on the Texas tower story.

[grazinggoat]

There so much freedom in this country that any one can buy a gun in any place In virginia you need almost nothing (only money) to have one So many valuable lifes lost in pursuit in that not understandable freedom
Posted by v2765936 at 09:12 PM : Apr 16, 2007

-Where do you see the freedom in having a gun? It's rather a sign of need to protect us from aggressors, aggressors that should not exist, in a rich and wealthy country such as USA.

[harp1963]

What happened at VA Tech is horrible. My condolences to all of the families.

I enjoy hunting, but it makes sense to at least do background checks on people to flag criminals, people who have psychological disorders, or people who might be taking certain kinds of medication. I also like to camp with my children in areas where there could be mother bears with cubs. I feel much safer having my pistol with me(pepper spray is wonderful if you can predict the way the wind will be blowing). I hope the crazy person who did this doesn't create a witchhunt for law abiding gun owners.