Despite Strict Gun Law, Troubled Doctor Was Able to Buy Assault Rifle

[livingston]

Despite Strict Gun Law, Troubled Doctor Was Able to Buy Assault Rifle
After 20 children and six staff members were gunned down in a Connecticut elementary school in 2012, Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo of New York decided that he had had enough.

In 2013, he introduced sweeping legislation to expand a ban on assault weapons. New York became the first state in the country to tighten its gun laws after the tragedy at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Conn., and Mr. Cuomo assumed a leading national role in the fight for stricter gun control.

Yet less than two weeks ago, Dr. Henry Bello, who had a criminal record and a troubled history, was able to walk into Upstate Guns and Ammo in Schenectady, N.Y., and buy a weapon that was for all intents and purposes a military-style rifle. The rifle was modified specifically to comply with New York’s laws — changes such as the elimination of a pistol grip and a flash suppressor, which critics say are more cosmetic than functional.
Despite Strict Gun Law, Troubled Doctor Was Able to Buy Assault Rifle

 

[livingston]

While the weapon did not have some of the features it might have before the SAFE Act was passed, it was just as powerful.

“It certainly didn’t hamper him from being able to kill anybody,” said a law enforcement official briefed on the investigation but who was not authorized to speak about it publicly.


The law was also aimed at decreasing the damage a gunman could do by limiting the size of a clip to 10 rounds.

Dr. Bello, however, carried three of them, the official said. So, as a practical matter, Dr. Bello “had his 30 rounds,” the official said.

He only used one clip before killing himself, the official said.

Almost as soon as the law was passed, the gun industry made modifications — essentially inventing new kinds of weapons or introducing innovations to conform to the law — that did not alter their power in any significant fashion, law enforcement officials said.

“They turned an AR-15’s aiming and firepower into a World War II rifle without the bolt action,” the official said. Dr. Bello had trained at a firing range, the official said, and because he was shooting his victims at close range, he had no need for a gun sight, which is also banned.

“It was point and shoot for him because he was shooting up close, and the lethality here was enhanced by the large rounds — the .223 that’s in that weapon — as opposed to a handgun or something else,” the official said.

 

[livingston]

This is illegal under the safe act ?

 

[GUNSICK]

This is illegal under the safe act ?

Vertical grips.

 

[Jezman]

Keep preaching taking guns from good people because bad people use them to kill. I believe the exact opposite thoughts are going through the heads of people who see the attack on our rights, and lack of logic in your gun grabbing BS.

 

[GOYABEAN]

Still I find something fishy about this why go to the trouble of buying a rifle with the risk of being denied purchase
When he could have just bought one from the guy in the alley either long gun or hand gun

 

[Saltwater60]

Yeah we're screwed. What next?

 

[Day444]

“They turned an AR-15’s aiming and firepower into a World War II rifle without the bolt action,” the official said. Dr. Bello had trained at a firing range, the official said, and because he was shooting his victims at close range, he had no need for a gun sight, which is also banned.

Yup, ever since the safe act got jammed up Ny'ers collective asses, things have gotten so much safer! It's done nothing to prevent mis doings by those who are hell bent on doing so! Only the folks who are doing things the right way, got screwed!

An evil black gun, he carried more than 10 rounds of ammo, he concealed it...

And now we are informed by the all knowing NY Times, that we can't have sights on our guns!

 

[Airborneguy]

You know, on good thing has come out of this. We now know that that configuration is SAFE compliant.

 

[GOYABEAN]

You know, on good thing has come out of this. We now know that that configuration is SAFE compliant.

Yes and No he's Dead can't charge him but the Gun shop might not be as lucky

 

[Exonautic]

Yes and No he's Dead can't charge him but the Gun shop might not be as lucky

if he's passed the background check how much could the shop really do. its not up to them to look the guy up on fb and find out what he's been up to. hats what the NICS is for.

 

[Apeman]

While the weapon did not have some of the features it might have before the SAFE Act was passed, it was just as powerful.

“It certainly didn’t hamper him from being able to kill anybody,” said a law enforcement official briefed on the investigation but who was not authorized to speak about

“They turned an AR-15’s aiming and firepower into a World War II rifle without the bolt action,” the official said. Dr. Bello had trained at a firing range, the official said, and because he was shooting his victims at close range, he had no need for a gun sight, which is also banned.

“It was point and shoot for him because he was shooting up close, and the lethality here was enhanced by the large rounds — the .223 that’s in that weapon — as opposed to a handgun or something else,” the official said.

Yeah those big rounds compared to handgun rounds. Another liberal asshat trying to scare people. Some of those he shot might not be alive depending where he shot them if he used a 9/40/45...ect. Shotgun? Mini 30?

 

[C3D]

Cuomo will now ban all semi-automatic firearms in NY.

 

[Mr. terzmo]

Cuomo will now ban all semi-automatic firearms in NY.

yep...coming to your neighborhood soon

 

[GUNSICK]

Cumholes fault. If he had the ammo database up and going this never would have happened. He should be held criminally responsible for this shooting. He promised us safety from these types of things.

 

[Criticalt]

“It was point and shoot for him because he was shooting up close, and the lethality here was enhanced by the large rounds — the .223 that’s in that weapon — as opposed to a handgun or something else,” the official said."

On the left, .223........the round he used.
On the right, 308........the round TC Encore pistols use.
Just saying.

 

[Phazer]

Cuomo will now ban all semi-automatic firearms in NY.

Oh...copying California, is he?

 

[Deplorable Me]

Don't worry, NY gun owners will sit home on their asses and blame the NRA, SCOPE, NYSRPA for not doing anything. About the same level of participation as last gubbiner's election. BOHICA.

 

[nortatoga]

Years ago I was at a shop in Albany (Colonie) and a guy was looking at a AR. They asked about his address which he said was was local but his address on his drivers license was still from the Bronx! He was told that they could not sell a AR to anyone with a address from the 5 Boroughs.

 

[Acer-m14]

Cumholes fault. If he had the ammo database up and going this never would have happened. He should be held criminally responsible for this shooting. He promised us safety from these types of things.

when is a FUAC Voting Database getting diploid ..how about a Welfare Database all Fair ..

 

[meketrefe]

Was this shooting inside a gun free zone?
That is your problem right there.

 

[Podmonkey]

Oh I didn't know cuomo had banned even sights as well. According to the NYT anyways and they are never wrong.

 

[Carlos Hathcock]

when is a FUAC Voting Database getting diploid ..how about a Welfare Database all Fair ..

I'm thinking you meant "deployed".

 

[ProgSpear]

actually, I thought "diploid" was a reference of some kind to FUAC.

 

[stuck in ny]

Sue the freaks for calling it an assault rifle. If they want to sue people over not calling them the pronoun for the opposite sex, then sue them for saying "assault rifle".

When the first super pooper scooper trooper tries to confiscate a rifle and is lynched, then my faith in this country will be restored, until then, nothing will happen.

What the hell is trump doing? When the dems are in power, they attempt to force gay laws down right wing states' throats for their guys/girls/things behind right-wing lines. Now trump in in power and he is doing nothing for us bhing leftist lines!!! Fight dirty like the dems, you worthless cuck!!

We will get nothing out of this clown-orgy administration except arms for choppy a-rape-ia.

 

[Jem45472]

Sue the freaks for calling it an assault rifle. If they want to sue people over not calling them the pronoun for the opposite sex, then sue them for saying "assault rifle".

When the first super pooper scooper trooper tries to confiscate a rifle and is lynched, then my faith in this country will be restored, until then, nothing will happen.

What the hell is trump doing? When the dems are in power, they attempt to force gay laws down right wing states' throats for their guys/girls/things behind right-wing lines. Now trump in in power and he is doing nothing for us bhing leftist lines!!! Fight dirty like the dems, you worthless cuck!!

We will get nothing out of this clown-orgy administration except arms for choppy a-rape-ia.

I tend to agree, but if nothing else we get SCOTUS picks, and the ability to keep buying guns and ammo at non inflated prices for 4 years.

 

[RDN]

First of all:
Condolence to the hospital shooting victims families. And to the family of the NYC police officer killed today.

Livingston

You referred to the semi-auto rifle used by the "troubled" Doctor as an Assault Rifle. That immediately indicates to me - you are a propagator of misinformation.
I viewed a photo (NY Daily News) of the rifle or similar configured rifle used. Under NY unSAFE act that rifle isn't even classified as an "assault weapon".
Please stop promoting "FAKE NEWS" !!!

If the Doctor had past criminal or mental issues, then again it's the system that is the problem, not the firearms.
NY unSAFE act didn't prevent, couldn't prevent and will never prevent the evil intent of mad/evil doers.

Photo from NYT

 

[Apeman]

First of all:
Condolence to the hospital shooting victims families. And to the family of the NYC police officer killed today.

Livingston

You referred to the semi-auto rifle used by the "troubled" Doctor as an Assault Rifle. That immediately indicates to me - you are a propagator of misinformation.
I viewed photo (NY Daily News) of the rifle or similar configured rifle used. Under NY unSAFE act that rifle isn't even classified as an "assault weapon".
Please stop promoting "FAKE NEWS" !!!

If the Doctor had past criminal or mental issues, then again it's the system that is the problem, not the firearms.
NY unSAFE act didn't prevent, couldn't prevent and will never prevent the evil intent of mad/evil doers.

Exactly. Too many times now after a shooting you hear about the mental issues of the shooter and everyone wonders how he could buy a gun. The system is seriously flawed when it comes to reporting mental stuff. Now I don't agree that all mental "issues" should be flagged because people can make false claims to screw someone over but legitimate issues should be in the system.

 

[MikeGrad]

things that "really grind my gears" on this article:
its not a g$%$@ fu%##$ clip! its a magazine!
223 is smaller than most handgun rounds. Faster maybe, but smaller. why would the NYT bother with facts?
Was that really a law enforcement official who said that?
Obviously its not an assault rifle anymore since its safe act compliant.
The NYT
Gun sights are banned?

I'm sure this isn't going to be a good thing for law abiding gun owners.

 

[Acer-m14]

wounder if @RBean i thnk that's who i want to tag .. LOL .. LI lawyer .. maybe he should contact the injured / killed and go for a Civil suit at FUAC .. just a thought ..