In NJ, James Holmes likely would have been caught before committing his massacre [View all]

[brentspeak]

That's because prospective NJ handgun owners are required to submit to in-depth local law enforcement background checks and questioning before being granted a handgun permit. LE would have personally queried family members, neighbors, and employers (if any) to make sure the handgun permit seeker isn't a psycho.

Holmes legally purchased his two Glock pistols and his Smith and Wesson AR-15 semi-automatic rifle in Colorado this past Spring. The Smith and Wesson is not legally available in NJ (as it exceeds the 15-round limit). But more importantly, with all the information surfacing about his personality, any attempt by him to obtain a handgun permit would have alerted police that they had a psycho on their hands.

Do these steps completely eliminate gun massacres and gun crimes in NJ? No, but they would have prevented the massacre in this case.

In Colorado? No gun permit or license required. No way for law enforcement to have prevented last night's massacre.