Aaron Alexis, who killed 12 people at the Washington Navy Yard on Monday, did not attempt to buy an AR-15 type semiautomatic rifle from a Lorton, Va. gun shop this weekend, a lawyer representing the store, Sharpshooters Small Arms Range, told TPM on Wednesday.
“Mr. Alexis did not attempt to buy an AR-15 from Sharpshooters Small Arms Range,” Attorney J. Michael Slocum told TPM in an email. “He asked about purchasing a handgun (no brand specified) but he was told that he could not purchase a handgun except for delivery to his home state through another Federally-licensed firearm dealer. He then decided to purchase the Remington 870 express shotgun.”
A CBS News report on Wednesday stated that Alexis tried to purchase an AR-15 at Sharpshooters Small Arms Range, but was unable to.
On Tuesday, Slocum issued a statement on behalf of Sharpshooters Small Arms Range, stating that Alexis visited the store on Saturday, rented a rifle, used the practice range, and subsequently purchased a shotgun and a “small amount” of ammunition. Slocum did not indicate what type of rifle Alexis rented.
“In accordance with Federal law, Mr. Alexis’ name and other applicable information, including his state of residency, was provided to the Federal NICS system and he was approved by that system,” Slocum’s statement on Tuesday said. “After the terrible and tragic events at the Navy Yard, the Sharpshooters Range was visited by federal law enforcement authorities, who reviewed the Range’s records, including video and other materials.”
