It shouldn't be so easy for a private citizen to amass an arsenal: Plain Dealer editorial [View all]

[Kolesar]

Most responsible gun owners don't want criminals or mentally incapacitated people owning or shooting weapons. That's why Glenn Rotkovich's reaction to the bizarre, incoherent home voice mail he encountered after an Aurora, Colo., gunman emailed him in late June about joining his shooting range was to order his employees to bar James Holmes from the premises.

Unfortunately, none of the sporting-goods clerks and online sellers from whom Holmes bought a reported $15,000 worth of weapons, ammo, tactical clothing and other gear over four months got similar insights.
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Congress' failure, after 2004, to renew the federal 1994 assault weapons ban meant it was also legal to purchase large-capacity magazines, including a 100-round drum magazine. ...
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At the very least, national purchase databases, including of ammunition and gear, and laws barring the sale of weapons capable of mass casualties are needed. Yes, determined killers will find a way. But why make it easy for them to commit mass murder?

http://www.cleveland.com/opinion/index.ssf/2012/07/it_shouldnt_be_so_easy_for_a_p.html