Online ammunition purchases require reasonable rules

By Telegraph Herald

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There was no background check. In fact, no one asked any questions of James Holmes when, authorities say, he purchased more than 6,000 rounds of ammunition online.

The Internet has been called “the Wild West” in more than one context, so perhaps it's fitting that weapons and ammunition are freely available. But in the wake of the Aurora, Colo., shootings, the free-for-all that is online purchasing needs more scrutiny.

Authorities say that Holmes, the suspect in the shootings that left 12 people dead and 58 others wounded, bought thousands of dollars' worth of firepower, much of it for an assault weapon, as well as a bulletproof vest and a high-capacity magazine capable of shooting a round every second. Officials now believe the assault weapon jammed during the rampage, or even more would be dead.

Apparently, an arsenal can be built without any government oversight. That has to make some law enforcement officials nervous. “I have an issue with people being able to buy ammunition and weapons on the Internet,” Commissioner Charles H. Ramsey, of the Philadelphia police, said on the ABC program “This Week.” “There needs to be reasonable gun control put in place.”

Reasonable makes sense. What reason could there be for someone to need to fire 60 rounds per minute?

Here in Iowa, we have to show identification and sign our names just to buy strong cold medicine. Yet no law raises a flag with this kind of ammunition purchase? Actually there could be such a law -- if it hadn't stalled in Congress. Already, lawmakers are discussing reviving that legislation, and perhaps taking another look at the ban on assault weapons, which expired in 2004.

Americans hold precious their Second Amendment rights. But reasonable regulations to protect all citizens make sense.

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