Suspect in Kentucky freeway shooting bought weapon legally that morning: Officials

[groundloop]

Source: ABC News

Joseph A. Couch, the man authorities have named as a suspect in a Kentucky freeway shooting that left seven people injured, bought the weapon used in the incident legally on the morning of the shooting, authorities said Sunday night.

Laurel County Sheriff's Commander Richard Dalrymple said at Sunday night’s news briefing that Couch purchased about a thousand rounds of ammunition, most of which has been recovered.

The suspect remains at large despite a massive search in the area of Saturday's shooting north of London, Kentucky.

The shooting unfolded around 5:30 p.m. local time on Saturday evening, officials said. Arriving deputies initially found nine vehicles had been shot in both the north and southbound lanes of I-75, Laurel County Sheriff John Root said at a news conference late Saturday night. By Sunday night, that number had jumped to 12 vehicles, according to officials.



Read more: https://abcnews.go.com/US/police-shut-kentucky-interstate-reports-multiple-shot/story?id=113489209

---

Later in the linked article we're told that an AR-15 was found in the woods near where it's believed the suspect was shooting from, and that the suspect's vehicle was parked nearby.

[PJMcK]

1. But it was a hunting rifle, right? (n/t)

[groundloop]

3. AR-15

[PJMcK]

5. I hear that model is good for deer hunting

(snark)

[Buzz cook]

20. It's legal.

in some states. .233/5.56 that is. Whether it's good or not is something gunners like to argue about.

[underpants]

2. I saw that this weekend on twitter but couldn't find confirmation

Thanks.


I also saw that he already had a warrant out on him or something like that but haven’t seen confirmation on that either.

[LauraInLA]

10. He was arrested in February for terroristic threats, but it looks like the victim didn't show up to court ;(

[underpants]

11. Okay thanks.

[LauraInLA]

12. In this case I'm not sure serious a background check would have helped. Waiting period might? He also threatened to

kill his family that morning, apparently.

[underpants]

13. Jesus. What a piece of work that guy is.

[Srkdqltr]

4. So....now.. because he bought the gun legally, its ok that he shot at people?

In other words.. does the legality of the gun make a difference? Or the type of gun?

[maxsolomon]

15. No, it doesn't change a thing.

Shooting at drivers from a highway overpass is terrorism.

[Srkdqltr]

16. Then why is there such an obsession about the gun?

[maxsolomon]

17. Because many people believe MSSAs shouldn't be available to the unorganized militia?

I recognize that any Semi-Auto could have pulled off the same attack. A handgun might not have been as precise.

I don't observe the "obsession" you're talking about.

[travelingthrulife]

6. Of course he bought it legally. We have no gun laws in this country

[twodogsbarking]

7. Well that should make the grieving families feel better.

[Aristus]

8. Yeah, because when a gunfuck wants to commit mass murder, we don't want to hinder him with a waiting period or anything.

[maxsolomon]

9. "5 Days? But I'm mad now!"

-Homer Simpson, 1997

https://slate.com/culture/2014/06/simpsons-gun-episode-the-cartridge-family-was-kind-to-the-nra-but-they-didn-t-get-it-video.html

... “The Cartridge Family,” written by John Swartzwelder, aired on Nov. 2, 1997. After a soccer riot wreaks havoc on Springfield, Marge implores her husband: “We need something to protect this family.” Homer then heads to the “Bloodbath & Beyond Gun Shop,” where he immediately asks for the store’s deadliest gun.

The ensuing scenes, starting with the one in which a salesman shows Homer an accessory kit that includes a “silencer,” a “loudener,” a “speed cocker,” and a bazooka-looking device “for shooting down police helicopters,” are among the most morbidly funny in Simpsons history. They’re also some of the most terrifying. When a mesmerized Homer is told that he needs to abide by the standard waiting period before obtaining a revolver, he says, “Five days?! But I’m mad now. I’d kill you if I had my gun.”

Following a montage fittingly scored to “The Waiting” by Tom Petty and The Heartbreakers, Homer returns to pick up his piece. Even after ticking off his past problems (“You’ve been in a mental institution, frequent problems with alcohol, beat up President Bush…”) and deeming him potentially dangerous, the clerk still sells Homer a piece.

“If I didn’t have this gun, the king of England could come in here any time he wants and start shoving you around,” Homer tells Lisa, who’s frustrated when her dad informs her that owning a gun is his constitutional right. Trouble comes quickly. Among other things, Homer riddles the snack bar at the gun range with bullets, twirls his gun in Apu’s direction, and skeet-shoots dinner plates. Fed up, Marge eventually takes the kids to live in a motel. The local chapter of the NRA, which had welcomed Homer at first, soon boots him after he’s caught using his gun as a can opener.

Glad no one died. Find the fucker.

[Initech]

18. That episode totally nailed all the gun nut arguments.

And sadly, nearly 30 years later... nothing has changed.

[0rganism]

14. straight out of the Well Regulated Militia handbook, right?

Just another patriot doing his level best to preserve the Security of a Free State.

[Initech]

19. I'm shocked, SHOCKED! Well not that shocked.

40 years of Limbaugh, 28 years of Fox News, and 15 years of Infowars got us here. Fuck all of it.