1. Anyone arguing that the killer had “free access” to firearms is mistaken. The man an armed security officer for G4S, with a security officer firearms license
FBI Special Agent in Charge Ronald Hopper said today that the FBI had taken an interest in Mateen twice: first in 2013 after he made “inflammatory” comments to co-workers and then again the next year after he was linked to another U.S. radical who became a suicide bomber in Syria.
2. Terrorist’s father: “I don’t think he was radicalized”
Siddique Mateen also hosts a show on a US cable outlet, Afghan TV, aimed at Western audiences. On both platforms, Mateen has campaigned for the Taliban, and at times has promoted himself as the leader of a government in exile.
Historically it is state failure which drives civilian armament and not the other way around. Perhaps the clearest example of this trend is Lebanon where the inability of the central government to protect the sectarian communities has led each to protect itself. While America is not Lebanon, the same principles hold true: competence inspires confidence and there is precious little competence in the administration.
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Reminder: More Than 500 AR-15’s Were Smuggled in Eric Holder’s Fast and Furious Scheme