Weapons Similar to Those Used in Colo. Shooting Can Be Legally Obtained in SoFla.

Attorney David Kubiliun told NBC 6 there are several holes in Florida gun laws

A look into Florida gun laws revealed a resident can legally obtain the same weapons carried by James Holmes, the 24-year-old man accused of killing 12 at least people in an Aurora movie theater Friday.

Holmes legally purchased an AR-15 assault rifle, a Glock 23 handgun capable of holding 22 rounds, and a Remington shotgun. He also bought 6,000 rounds of ammunition online.

“You can purchase as many guns as you want, and ammunition for that matter,” said criminal attorney David Kubiliun. “Given the fact that [Holmes] had no criminal history, no criminal background, the same thing could have happened in Florida.”

Jeff Dillard, the owner of the National Armory in Pompano Beach, laid out the weapons Holmes carried with him during the alleged crime.

“Somebody that has had mental problems in the past is able to get their hands on a gun,” he said.

The owner also told NBC 6 that Florida law requires that a person purchasing a gun wait five days for a criminal background check, which does not include a mental evaluation.

“The big gap that we see is anyone that has a mental issue, that doesn't get reported to FDLE because of the state HIPPA laws,” he said.

But Florida residents with concealed weapons permits do not have to wait to purchase their weapon and can legally carry a gun. More than 94,000 people have weapons permits in Miami-Dade County, followed by more than 74,000 in Broward County and more than 1 million people statewide.

Dillard said that although it is illegal to buy ammunition online and have it shipped to a Broward County home, the law is rarely enforced.

“Everyone does it,” he said.

One Miami-Dade gun dealer told NBC 6 South Florida that ammunition can be shipped to a home.

NBC 6 South Florida also found that background checks for those buying from a private seller are not required.

Click here for more local news.

Contact Us