Suit Filed Against Ammo Dealers in Aurora, Colo., Theater Slayings
Wednesday, 17 Sep 2014 12:55 PM
By John Blosser
The Brady Center to Prevent Gun Violence has filed a lawsuit against firearms dealers they say supplied alleged shooter James Holmes with nearly 5,000 rounds of ammunition, a 100-round drum magazine and other tactical gear he allegedly used on July 20, 2012, to murder 12 people and maim at least 58 others at a movie theater in Aurora, Colorado.
The suit is filed on behalf of Sandy and Lonnie Phillips, parents of Jessica Ghawi, one of those killed, against Lucky Gunner, which it claims sold the deranged Holmes more than 4,000 rounds of ammunition; the Sportsman's Guide, which allegedly sold the drum magazine and another 700 rounds of ammo; BulletProofBodyArmrHQ, where Holmes purchased body armor; and BTP Arms, which is said to have equipped Holmes with two tear gas grenades,
the lawsuit states.
"A crazed, homicidal killer should not be able to amass a military arsenal, without showing his face or answering a single question, with the simple click of a mouse. If businesses choose to sell military-grade equipment online, they must screen purchasers to prevent arming people like James Holmes,"
the Brady Center said in a release.
Sandy Phillips said in the release, "Two years ago when our daughter Jessica was murdered, and we first heard the details of the massacre, I asked my husband: 'How can anyone order over 4,000 rounds of ammunition without raising any red flags? Why weren't any questions asked of the person who bought all of this ammunition?'
"As gun owners, parents, and citizens of this country, we hope that our lawsuit will spare other families the tragedy that we have gone through after the death of our beautiful daughter."
The lawsuit, filed in the Arapahoe County District Court in Centennial, Colorado, states, in part: "In the months leading up to the attack, James Holmes engaged in a pattern of bizarre behavior. He acted, looked, and expressed himself in a way that raised grave suspicions about his dangerousness and mental stability, so much so that during the same time period that the defendants sold Holmes thousands of rounds of ammunition and other combat supplies, a local shooting club did not admit Holmes because his behavior was so disturbing and suspicious."
While no specific monetary award amount is listed, the lawsuit asks for injunctions against the businesses, requiring them to reform their business practices; payment of court and attorney fees; trial by jury; and "any and all equitable relief that may be justified."
Holmes has pleaded not guilty by reason of insanity to the 166 charges he faces, and his trial has been delayed three times while Holmes undergoes sanity evaluations,
CNN reports.
