Suspected Arizona gunman passed FBI background check
The alleged shooter of Representative Giffords and eighteen other people in Arizona purchased a firearm legally — and after passing an FBI background check — from Sportsman’s Warehouse’s Tucson store in November; Loughner did not present a concealed weapons permit so he was required to pass an FBI background check, which he did “immediately and without incident,” the company which owns the store says; a DHS memo ties Loughner to the extremist group American Renaissance, which DHS describes as “anti-government, anti-immigration, anti-ZOG (Zionist Occupational Government), anti-Semitic”; the group leader says Loughner had no connection with his group
Jared Loughner, alleged shooter of Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords // Source: moonbattery.com
New details emerging about the suspected shooter behind Saturday’s deadly rampage reveal a 22-year-old man with a troubled past who law enforcement say may have been influenced by American Renaissance, a pro-white publication.
FoxNews.com reports that the suspect purchased a firearm legally — and after passing an FBI background check — from Sportsman’s Warehouse’s Tucson store in November, the company’s vice president of hunting operations told FoxNews.com.
Loughner did not present a concealed weapons permit so he was required to pass an FBI background check, which he did “immediately and without incident,” Matt French, speaking from the Sportsman’s Warehouse’s Utah headquarters, told Fox News. “To my knowledge, the firearm purchase was without incident,” French said. French could not confirm whether the gun purchased in November was the same gun allegedly used in Saturday’s mass shooting, but said it was the only recent firearm purchase made by the suspect at their stores.
“Sportsman’s Warehouse is cooperating fully with the authorities in investigating this horrible tragedy,” he said. “Our sincere condolences go to those affected by this unspeakable incident.”
This comes as a law enforcement memo based on information provided by the Department of Homeland Security and obtained by Fox News suggests that alleged gunman Jared Loughner — accused of killing six people, shooting Arizona Democratic Representative Gabrielle Giffords, and wounding twelve others — may have ties to the American Renaissance group, though it is unclear whether he was directly affiliated with the publication or group.
The memo states that there is “no direct connection” between Loughner and the group, “but strong suspicion is being directed at AmRen / American Renaissance. Suspect is possibly linked to this group. (through videos posted on his MySpace and YouTube account.). The group’s ideology is anti-government, anti-immigration, anti-ZOG (Zionist Occupational Government), anti-Semitic.”
The memo also includes information about the suspect’s mother, who works for the Pima County Board of Supervisors and notes that Loughner has multiple arrests but no criminal record.
Jared Taylor, the leader of American Renaissance, is a 1973 graduate in philosophy from Yale University. He told Fox News on Sunday that he had never heard of Loughner until Saturday and has checked the group’s records going back twenty years and has not found any subscriptions for Loughner to American Renaissance publications.
He added he has no indication that Loughner ever attended any of the group’s events, which have been held on the East Coast where the organization is based.
Taylor also denied references to the group as being “anti-ZOG.”
“That is complete nonsense,” he said. “I have absolutely no idea what DHS is talking about. We have never used the term ‘ZOG.’ We have never thought in those terms. If this is the level of research we are getting from DHS, then heaven help us,” he said.
Loughner is suspected of posting a series of YouTube videos that show a focus on literacy and currency — as well as his distrust in the government. In a video posted 15 December, Loughner expresses his political beliefs.
“The majority of citizens in the United States of America have never read the United States of America’s Constitution. You don’t have to accept the federalist laws,” the video’s titles say. “In conclusion, reading the second United States Constitution, I can’t trust the current government because of the ratifications: the government is implying mind control and brainwash on the people by controlling grammar. No! I won’t pay debt with a currency that’s not backed by gold and silver! No! I won’t trust in god!”
