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morningfog

(18,115 posts)
Sun Jul 22, 2012, 09:21 AM Jul 2012

Could have been even worse: Assault rifle jammed in Colo. attack

AURORA, Colo.—The semiautomatic assault rifle used by the gunman in a mass shooting at a midnight showing of the latest Batman movie jammed during the attack, a federal law enforcement official told The Associated Press, which forced the shooter to switch to another gun with less fire power.

The official, who spoke on condition of anonymity to in order to discuss the investigation, said the disabled weapon had a high-capacity ammunition magazine. Police have said that a 100-round drum magazine was recovered at the scene and that such a device would be able to fire 50 to 60 rounds a minute.

That account of what happened inside the Century 16 theater emerged with other details of a suspect described as a budding scientist, brimming with potential, who pursued a graduate program even as he planned the attack with "calculation and deliberation," police said Saturday.

James Holmes, 24, received shipments that authorities believe armed him for battle and were used to booby trap his home with dozens of bombs.

http://www.boston.com/news/nation/articles/2012/07/22/police_colo_suspect_planned_massacre_for_months/

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Could have been even worse: Assault rifle jammed in Colo. attack (Original Post) morningfog Jul 2012 OP
Well, now the gun manufacturer has a takeaway from all this. Fix jam. nt valerief Jul 2012 #1
Odds are it was the magazine ProgressiveProfessor Jul 2012 #2
Agreed. Extra capacity magazines do jam. HooptieWagon Jul 2012 #3
I have a snail drum magazine ProgressiveProfessor Jul 2012 #4
Except if anyone in the theater actually was carrying justiceischeap Jul 2012 #5
I think the smoke grenade was part of the costume obamanut2012 Jul 2012 #7
Sorry, but you're wrong about the stuff in his apartment justiceischeap Jul 2012 #8
I dont think he thought anyone would enter through a third floor window. HooptieWagon Jul 2012 #10
lol obamanut2012 Jul 2012 #11
Whatever the grenade was, (we dont know yet) HooptieWagon Jul 2012 #9
One of the injured at the hospital told CNN... pinboy3niner Jul 2012 #6

ProgressiveProfessor

(22,144 posts)
2. Odds are it was the magazine
Sun Jul 22, 2012, 10:26 AM
Jul 2012

The snail drum magazines are well known for that. No military or police agency uses them for that reason.

 

HooptieWagon

(17,064 posts)
3. Agreed. Extra capacity magazines do jam.
Sun Jul 22, 2012, 10:34 AM
Jul 2012

One reason why I've been saying people are getting too worked up over the drum magazine. It, the "assault" rifle, the body armor... it was all part of a costume, for effect. Guy would have been just as deadly with the glock , and wearing a T-shirt and flip flops.

ProgressiveProfessor

(22,144 posts)
4. I have a snail drum magazine
Sun Jul 22, 2012, 10:53 AM
Jul 2012

I use it as a teaching aid of dumb things not to have or use. It has never functioned properly. Picked it up for next to nothing from the original purchaser who paid retail for it.

justiceischeap

(14,040 posts)
5. Except if anyone in the theater actually was carrying
Sun Jul 22, 2012, 10:56 AM
Jul 2012

with all the body armor, it wouldn't have made a difference. And was the smoke grenade or whatever it was, was that part of a costume?

obamanut2012

(25,905 posts)
7. I think the smoke grenade was part of the costume
Sun Jul 22, 2012, 11:07 AM
Jul 2012

An extension of his effed up scenario, as are the booby traps in his apartment.

justiceischeap

(14,040 posts)
8. Sorry, but you're wrong about the stuff in his apartment
Sun Jul 22, 2012, 11:18 AM
Jul 2012

someone just yesterday said they can't be called booby traps because they were seen from the window by the police... so that makes them NOT booby traps but just traps I guess.

 

HooptieWagon

(17,064 posts)
10. I dont think he thought anyone would enter through a third floor window.
Sun Jul 22, 2012, 11:53 AM
Jul 2012

The front door was rigged, therefore it was a booby trap. My though is he intended that someone would enter and set off an explosion meant to be a diversion from the theatre shooting.

 

HooptieWagon

(17,064 posts)
9. Whatever the grenade was, (we dont know yet)
Sun Jul 22, 2012, 11:48 AM
Jul 2012

Was probably for a combination of effect and to cause confusion.

Im not a psychologist, or anything similar, but it appears to me the guy was acting out a fantasy role as the ultimate villian.

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