Baseball Practice Shooter Legally Purchased Guns, Police Say

[brooklynite]

Source: Roll Call

A gunman who opened fire Wednesday at the Republicans’ practice session for the Congressional Baseball Game legally purchased the handgun and a rifle found at the scene, police said.

James Hodgkinson, 66, wounded five people at the morning practice in Alexandria, Virginia, including House Majority Whip Steve Scalise, two Capitol Police officers, and a current and former Hill staffer. He later died from injuries sustained during a shootout with police, shortly after he opened fire. Police recovered a 9mm handgun and a 7.26 caliber rifle at the scene.

“ATF has conducted traces on these weapons and has determined that both were purchased by the shooter from federal firearms licensees,” the Capitol Police, FBI, Alexandria Police, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives said in a joint statement Thursday. “We currently have no evidence to suggest that the purchases were not lawful.”

In the statement, the FBI said the agency searched Hodgkinson’s white van for evidence. The van was parked in the YMCA lot next to the park where the attack took place. The FBI is examining a cell phone, a computer and a camera found in the van.

Read more: http://www.rollcall.com/news/congressional-baseball-game-guns/

[Not Ruth]

1. Neither gun turns out to be an AR15

Wonder why

[NickB79]

3. Probably found an AK-47 variant that was cheaper

AK's typically fire 7.62mm rounds, and given the volume of fire at the scene, it had to be a semi-auto with a higher-capacity magazine.

Probably saved a few lives by not going for the AR; they are deadly accurate inside 200 yards with minimal practice, while an AK is far less precise and has more recoil.

[hardluck]

5. Turns out it was an SKS. Nt

[Calista241]

15. For trained users, the 7.62 round is a way more powerful and more lethal round

They're probably lucky he didn't use a 5.56 chambered rifle, which is a lot easier to operate for novice or relatively inexperienced shooters. The fact that he fired as much as he did, and had such a low hit rate with targets that were relatively close, largely immobile, and unarmed is telling. Two cops with handguns shouldn't have been able to neutralize him.

[Aristus]

2. Well there you go: no crime!

And according to Rand Paul, the shooter was just exercising his 2nd Amendment right to shoot tyrannical government officials.

So what's the problem?

[yallerdawg]

4. This is an example of a "7.26 caliber rifle."

SIG MCX. Looks like an assault rifle, doesn't it?



More at: http://soldiersystems.net/2016/05/25/sofic-sig-mcx-7-62x39/

[metalbot]

8. That's intellectually dishonest

We know what type of rifle was used, and it's nothing like that SIG. It was an SKS rifle that is likely 60+ years old, and would not have been covered under even the most strict "assault rifle" ban.

[yallerdawg]

11. "Police recovered a 9mm handgun and a 7.26 caliber rifle atthe scene."

You must be referring to some other article or information?

Are you commenting on obvious conjecture based on limited information in the past?

Talk about "intellectually dishonest!"

[mackdaddy]

13. This is what an standard SKS looks like.

Yes it does shoot the same cartridge as an AK, but does not normally have a replaceable magazine loaded from the bottom. The gun is reloaded from the top either one cartridge at a time, or the cartridges can be held by a true "clip" a little metal bracket which holds the cartridges in a line so they can be shoved down into the top of the gun. It is possible to get replaceable magazines or larger magazines but the gun as standard only holds 10 rounds.

[yallerdawg]

14. SKS rifle.

[EX500rider]

42. I think you mean "modified SKS"

Stock SKS:

[yallerdawg]

44. This is a picture of the shooter's Alexandria rifle...

the one witnesses described as an "AR-15" and an "assault weapon"?

[Kaleva]

57. The police haven't released a photo of the SKS used in the shooting

The SKS wasn 't considered to be an assault weapon when the AWB was in effect.

[yallerdawg]

58. "I know porn when I see it."

Doesn't mean it is "banned" pornography at this time.

If you use a rifle designed for military application in a 'mass shooting' I would consider it to be an assault weapon.

Why do we feel safe allowing fellow citizens access to these kinds of assault weapons? If you create a nagging fear in your fellow citizens, isn't that one goal of terrorism?

It does not add anything to my personal sense of 2nd Amendment 'security in a free state' - like the 'well regulated,' trained, proficient, heroic Capitol Police make us feel.

[Kaleva]

59. Most every rifle action was designed for a military application.

The lever action, the bolt action, the semi-auto, the select fire, the automatic. I can't think of one that wasn't. The bolt action 30-06 was used by our troops in WWI and as a sniper rifle in WWII. By your definition, it's an asault weapon.

[yallerdawg]

61. Doesn't the 2nd Amendment specify "A well regulated militia"?

Why, yes it does!

So there are particular US citizens Constitutionally guaranteed to "keep and bear arms" including what we would describe today as 'assault weapons.'

[Abouttime]

6. Could have seen this coming

Okay repukes, your chickens have come home to roost. Your misinterpretation of the 2nd amendment, absolute opposition to sensible gun control, hateful rhetoric and constant war on the less fortunate in our society will just cause more mentally ill citizens to snap and lash out at you.
In a sane world this would be a soul searching moment. If you had real leaders who actually cared for their constituents they would stand up and admit the error of their ways.
But no, your Richie Rich leader Paul Ryan turned the aftermath into a pity party. You guys still don't get it.
You need to make amends to the American people and you could go a long way by first removing your illegitimate president from office!

[Abouttime]

7. And yes it was an assault rifle

The 7.62 is a military round and wasn't the sks used against our troops in the Korean War?
If a weapon of war, one actually used to kill our soldiers, does not fit the definition of 'assault rifle' then I don't know what would??
We need sensible gun control in our country and we could start by removing all military grade guns and ammunition from our society!

[melm00se]

9. that's an awfully broad brush

based upon (and I don't mean this as an insult) ignorance.

Many center fire rounds serve (and have served) dual military/civilian purposes.

to name a few:
Military (Civilian equivalent)
5.56 (.223) - current US standard infantry round (common medium range target/competition round)
7.62 NATO (.308) - alternate infantry round (common hunting round)
30.06 (30.06) - US military round during WWII (common hunting round)
9mm (9mm) - current military handgun round (common civilian handgun round)
.45 (.45) - Current and historical military round, handgun and sub-machine gun (common civilian handgun round)
12 gauge 00 buckshot (12 gauge 00 buckshot) - past and current combat shotgun round (extremely common hunting round)

the list can go on and on.

[Paladin]

10. "(and I don't mean this as an insult) ignorance."

Wow, there's an oldie but a non-goodie. That used to be a frequently-used phrase in the gun rights arsenal; haven't seen it for a while, now.

If the weapon was an SKS, I think it's accurate to label it as an assault rifle.

[melm00se]

17. I was trying to be nice

instead of using something pejorative but you appear to have your own biases in place and in play.

[LanternWaste]

22. it's how I'd rationale my own vulgarity as well.

" I was trying to be nice..."

Great allegation if we take your consistent 'civility' into account. But it's how I'd rationale my own vulgarity as well.

Biases, indeed.

[Marengo]

19. Not accurate if the SKS used was in original configuration with the 10 rnd fixed magazine.

Unless a Chinese D or M model, or modified with an after-market high capacity magazine.

[Paladin]

21. Decisions, decisions.

When determining the definition of an "Assault Rifle," should I go with:

A.) What the New York Times says;

or:

B.) What Ted Nugent says.


I trust I make myself clear.

[Marengo]

23. A detachable magazine is generally accepted as one of the defining characteristics of an...

"Assault rifle".

[Hangingon]

60. Actually, Nugent is correct.

NYT consistently uses the term "assault rifle" incorrectly. Assault rifle has a specific meaning has no actual definition. Words haveening.

[Paladin]

62. Nugent is part of the No Such Thing As An Assault Rifle movement.

Military surplus and military-styled semi-auto rifles were in fact originally marketed openly as "assault rifles." When such firearms started turning up repeatedly in mass shootings, the pro-gun movement went all micro-precise on the definition of what is and isn't an assault rifle---nothing more than damage control via vocabulary appropriation. If you're going to try to sell this bullshit, you'd best get a better spokesman than that degenerate violence-advocating "musician" Nugent---he makes you and the rest of DU's Gun Enthusiasts look bad.

[Hoyt]

26. Any gun nut with a screwdriver can install a detachable 40 round magazine.

[Marengo]

30. Do we know if the nut in question did? I haven't seen any reporting with details on the...

Configuration of the SKS.

[Hoyt]

32. Doesn't really matter.

[Marengo]

33. Why doesn't it matter?

Couldn't see the content of your link as I don't do Facebook.

[ileus]

54. In the proper hands it's a counter assault rifle.

[Paladin]

56. Any mention of the Virginia baseball shootings down in Gun Control/RKBA yet?

Sure was quiet down there, last time I looked.

[Abouttime]

12. Thank you for bolstering my point

Our society would be much healthier if every one of those weapons of war was removed forever.
Other than law enforcement who needs a .45 or 9mm? And for that matter who really needs more of a rifle or a pistol than a .22?
This is the 21st century, even hunting is a dying 'sport'
I live in a rural area and I never see young people out hunting. My hope is we are raising a gentler generation who actually respect animal rights and are repulsed by the thought of guns and killing.
Do we really need in this day and age to be killing animals for sport with large bore rifles and shotguns?
I am a lifelong supporter of the HSUS and I support a complete ban on hunting wild animals with firearms. The pro hunting and firearms lobbies are the core of the 'deplorables' that Hillary so wisely warned us against, you are either with us or with them, there is no grey area, there is no common ground.
Until we remove these weapons of war from our society we must endure the almost daily mass shootings and the corresponding casualties.
If a mentally ill homeless lunatic is able to use these weapons of war in our nations capitol, which has some of the strictest gun laws in the nation, what use are more laws?
Nothing but a complete ban will work.
If not for a black lesbian with a badge and gun, a 21st century heroine if there ever was one, the Republicans might have actually lost their voting majority in the House.
If this act of violence doesn't open their eyes, and those of the folks on our side who still believe in the antiquated belief in so called 'gun rights', then we are really in trouble as a nation.

[Marengo]

20. Define "weapon of war". Head on out to where I live and you'll see plenty of young folks hunting.

[Not Ruth]

24. Weapons of war cover a lot of things

JFK was killed with a weapon of wear that was considered junk in the US. But other countries with different economies disagree.

[Marengo]

25. Therein lies the problem in my mind. The Italian Carcano is technically a "weapon of war"...

But, having no significant differences from most modern bolt action hunting rifles, should it be banned while they are not simply because it was designed for military use?

[EX500rider]

38. .22 cal not a good round for hunting or home protection...

...both valid reasons to own firearms, no matter what your feelings are on the matter.

Are you volunteering to cull the deer populations that would starve with out hunting numbers reduction?

[Thinkingabout]

53. Abouttime, good post, sometimes it should be about stopping the senseless murders occurring

much too frequent, hopefully the realization will soon become apparent.

[Marengo]

18. Define "military grade" ammunition.

[Abouttime]

27. What we're really talking about is weapon control

I don't think we will ever get effective weapon control until we get a progressive Supreme Court. Once that happens the 2nd Ammendment will be interpreted correctly, as written.
Perhaps rural citizens may be allowed to keep some form of firearms such as rim fire rifles or black powder guns and maybe small shotguns. Those weapons will be sufficient for home defense, subsistence hunting and varmint control, that's about the only thing a citizen would realistically need a firearm for. Of course these allowances would only be necessary in low population rural areas.
Cities and the denser populated States would have the option of complete firearm prohibition with severe penalties for illegal possession. That is the only way we will ever get a handle on the nationwide epidemic of mass murder.

[Marengo]

31. What weapons are sufficient for home defense in your opinion?

[Abouttime]

34. A locked door and a phone to call the police

If you're in the country maybe a 22lr
In an unarmed society crime will decrease, no guns equal less murders.
Not to mention e biggest killer of all when talking about guns, suicide.

[hack89]

35. How do you plan to disarm the criminals?

for that matter, how do you plan to disarm the nearly 100 million gun owners?

[Marengo]

36. Oh jeez, not another one. Rolled twice in one day, should have stayed in bed.

[NickB79]

37. I tried that once, when I was 17

The assailant (my dad) kicked in the door and screamed "I'll fucking kill you".

It took the police 45 minutes to arrive after calling 911.....

[EX500rider]

40. "Not to mention e biggest killer of all when talking about guns, suicide."

And yet gun free Japan has a higher suicide rate then the US....how is that possible?

ranked 26: Japan 15.4 per 100,000
ranked 48: USA 12.6 per 100,000



https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_countries_by_suicide_rate

[EX500rider]

39. So weapons will be illegal or very hard to get legally...

...like in Mexico and Jamaica?

How's that working out for them?

Like this:

Jamaica: homicides per 100,000: 43.2
Mexico : " " " 16.3
USA : " " " 4.8


https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_countries_by_intentional_homicide_rate

[Hoyt]

28. Military grade -- full metal jacket -- is not a damaging as the stuff civilian gun nuts like to use.

You are quite experienced at the "gun nomenclature" distraction.

[Marengo]

29. If it's not as damaging why should it be banned?

Technical accuracy is a "distraction" when discussing ideas on legislation?

[EX500rider]

41. Unless you live next door and prefer bullets not travel through walls...

....then hollow points are the better choice.

[Hoyt]

45. I think most gunners select such ammo because it's better for killing unarmed

teenagers, etc.

[EX500rider]

47. Everyone has opinions...

....some worth more then others though.

[NutmegYankee]

50. From experience, most of the gun community selects lead ball or wadcutter rounds most often.

Cheaper to load and easier on the backstops/traps while leaving a cleaner hole in the target paper.

[ileus]

55. Isn't it obvious....ammunition with a primer and a powder charge

in a brass, aluminum, or steel case with a projectile.

[EX500rider]

43. Lots of guns used in war are not assault rifles.

Maybe you should look up the definition first?

"a military rifle capable of both automatic and semiautomatic fire, utilizing an intermediate-power cartridge."

[Hoyt]

46. Semi-auto kills fast enough.

[EX500rider]

48. The military begs to differ.

[Hoyt]

51. News Flash-- This is not a war zone, no matter what gun fanciers claim.

[EX500rider]

52. Actually gun controllers are more likely to make that claim in my experience.

[NutmegYankee]

49. Most of the popular deer hunting bolt action rounds were once used in warfare.

As were shotguns. Today bolt action and shotgun are almost exclusively civilian use. As for the SKS, the 10 round fixed internal magazine exempts it from being an assault weapon in every state afaik. It is legal in Connecticut, which has a very strict assault weapons ban.

[Doug the Dem]

16. Surprised?

That's the case in a solid majority of these shootings.