Five people were gunned down in Santa Monica over the weekend, leading many to ask how a 23-year old with a criminal history and psychological problems was able to get his hands on an assault-rifle, along with the 1300 rounds of ammo that he was carrying.
Of course, the only thing they can do is ask questions, because there aren’t checks and safety measures in place to help identify people who probably shouldn’t be allowed to have access to an assault-rifle along with 1300 rounds of ammo in the first place. One of the major flaws in the existing background check law isn’t the “gun show loophole”, it is that many states do not update mental health records, nor share that information with the rest of the country.
The shooter, John Zawahri, fired at least 70 rounds in the library of Santa Monica College, in addition to dozens of rounds into his victims, a city bus, a Ford Explorer, and people on the street.
Mr. Zawahri had been hospitalized for treatment several years ago after allegedly talking about harming someone, a law enforcement source told CNN on Saturday. The source said Zawahri suffered mental-health issues. (SOURCE: CNN)
A law enforcement source with knowledge of the investigation told CNN on Saturday that the gunman had suffered mental health issues. A couple of years ago, he was hospitalized for treatment after allegedly talking about harming someone, according to the official.
It’s not clear whether the state government or his family committed him for treatment or whether he committed himself. It’s also unclear under what circumstances he was released.
In addition to the history of mental illness for the shooter, there was a history of domestic violence in the home he grew up in. Zawahri’s parents had been divorced for years, neighbors said. Court records show two divorce filings. One was filed in 1993 by Samir Zawahri. Another, noting domestic violence, was filed by Abdou in 1998. (SOURCE: LA TIMES)
It’s a good thing nobody infringed on his Second Amendment rights. That would have been a tragedy.
-Sean Kemmerer is a freelance writer, administrator of Politics Without The Crazy Pills , and thinks it’s a good thing our politicians keep manufacturing scandals so they don’t have to worry about legislating.
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