Authorities said that the July Fourth parade attacker had legally purchased several weapons, including at most two rifles, before the shooting in Highland Park (IL) that resulted in six deaths.
A gun used in the massacre was recovered from the scene by Deputy Chief Christopher Covelli, Lake County Sheriff’s Office. Covelli stated that officials found another rifle inside the suspect’s car after he was apprehended. He also said that firearms were at his home.
Covelli stated that the weapons were legally bought from different locations.
The massacre left more than 30 victims. Officials claim that the weapon used was a high-powered rifle, but they haven’t specified what kind.
Covelli stated that the weapon dispersed “high velocity rounds similar to an AR-15” on Tuesday. He said that there was no evidence that the weapon had ever been modified.
The mayor of Highland Park, Illinois confirmed earlier Tuesday that the weapon used was legally purchased.
Nancy Rotering, NBC’s TODAY Show host, said that while she doesn’t know the origin of the gun, she does know that it was legally acquired. She also stated that the nation should have a discussion about weekly events involving the murders of dozens of people using legally obtained guns. “If this is what our laws are about, then I believe we should re-examine them.”
Highland Park is a leader in fighting gun violence. Rotering was a leader in the fight against gun violence. She led a campaign in her Chicago suburb to ban assault guns. This move was challenged by the Supreme Court.
The ordinance was passed by Highland Park officials in June 2013. It came after a packed meeting, which flooded the City Council chamber.
Six months prior to the massacre at Sandy Hook Elementary School, Connecticut, a gunman shot dead 20 first-graders as well as six educators with an AR-15-style weapon.
According to Tribune reports, the Highland Park meeting was held following a bill that allowed Illinois owners to carry concealed guns.
One resident pointed out that more people were killed in car accidents than in assault weapons over the past year. He then asked the microphone: “Are we considering banning automobiles?”
Another argument was that the ban was ineffective, according to the report.
She said, “If I wanted to, I could kill someone with a lamp and a coffee cup.”
An emotional resident responded, saying: “You can’t kill a roomfull of people with a coffee cup. Sorry.”
Another added, “We don’t need Sandy Hook in Highland Park.” “Assault weapons are killing people because of fear-mongering.
The ordinance was passed by the City Council 6-1. It was quickly challenged and withdrawn by the Illinois Rifle Association and a local doctor.
The case reached the nation’s highest judiciary, but it declined to hear it. A lower court ruled in favor of the ban.
Justice Clarence Thomas and Justice Antonin Scalia joined in disapproving, citing the Second Amendment, as well as the responsibility of the court, to defend Americans’ right to bear arms, especially for self-defense at home.
