If you get your information from the Brady campaign of disinformation, you just might be a low information voter.
Perhaps you should educate yourself on the laws of the state before making such uniformed claims. This case is again evidence that the laws do not prevent whackos from obtaining weapons. In the Newtown case, the kid was under age and could not obtain a weapon through a purchase, which is why he stole the weapons and used them to murder his mom who was the legal owner of the weapons.
The notion that criminals obey laws can only be expressed by the mentally challenged. The argument that more laws will prevent these crimes is the epitome of ignorance.
Evidence is mounting that Arizona shooting suspect Jared Loughner was mentally unstable – and yet he was still allowed to purchase a gun legally.
The federal Gun Control Act of 1968 prohibits the possession of firearms by the mentally ill. So why was Mr. Loughner able to guy a gun?
The ability to own a firearm is a constitutionally protected right, and depriving someone of that right involves a legal process. Under the 1968 law, a person must be declared mentally unfit by a court or have been committed to a mental institution to lose his or her right to possess firearms.
Loughner's background check
A store selling firearms is required to check with NICS before making a sale. In Mr. Loughner’s case, when the 22-year-old went to the Sportsman’s Warehouse outlet in Tucson, Ariz., on Nov. 30 to purchase a Glock 19 semiautomatic handgun, a background check was performed and he came up clear, according to the store manager.
http://www.csmonitor.com/USA/Politics/2011/0110/Why-Jared-Loughner-was-allowed-to-buy-a-gun
A synopsis of Arizona state laws on purchase, possession and carrying of firearms.
PURCHASE
It is unlawful to sell or give to a minor, without written consent of the minor’s parent or legal guardian, a firearm or ammunition.
No state permit is required to purchase a shotgun, rifle, or handgun.
It is unlawful to sell or transfer a firearm to a “prohibited possessor.” (See definition under Possession.) A concealed handgun permit will exempt a gun purchaser from the NICS check.
POSSESSION
No state permit is required to possess a shotgun, rifle or handgun. It is unlawful for a “prohibited possessor” to possess a firearm.1
A prohibited possessor includes a person found to constitute a danger to himself or others pursuant to a court order and whose court ordered treatment has not been terminated; who has been convicted of a felony involving violence or possession and use of a deadly weapon or dangerous instrument and whose civil rights have not been restored; who is at the time of possession serving a term of imprisonment in any correctional or detention facility; who at the time of possession is serving a term of probation pursuant to a conviction for a domestic violence offense or a felony offense, parole, community supervision, work furlough, home arrest or release on any other basis or who is serving a term of probation or parole; or who was previously adjudicated delinquent and who possesses, uses or carries a firearm within ten years from the date of adjudication or release for an offense that if committed as an adult would constitute first or second degree burglary, arson, murder, manslaughter, kidnapping, robbery, aggravated assault, sexual assault or any felony offense involving the use or threatening exhibition of a deadly weapon or dangerous instrument.
No person, other than a peace officer or a member of the military forces of the United States, shall knowingly possess a firearm on which the manufacturer’s serial number has been removed, altered or destroyed. This does not apply to possession by a museum as a part of its collection or an educational institution for educational purposes or by an authorized employee of such museum or institution or acquisition by gift, devise or descent or in a fiduciary capacity as a recipient of the property of an insolvent, incapacitated or deceased person.
An unemancipated person under 18 not accompanied by a parent, grandparent, guardian, or a certified hunter safety instructor or certified firearms safety instructor acting with consent of the minor’s parent, grandparent or guardian shall not carry or possess on his person, within his immediate control, or in or on a means of transportation a firearm in any place open to the public or on any street, highway, or on private property, except private property owned or leased by the minor or the minor’s parent, grandparent, or guardian. This prohibition does not apply to a person between 14 and 17 engaged in lawful hunting, marksmanship practice, transportation of an unloaded firearm for the purpose of hunting or, between 5:00 AM and 10:00 PM, transportation of an unloaded firearm for the purpose of marksmanship at a range or other area where the discharge of firearms is not prohibited.
HIDECARRYING
Arizona respects the right of law abiding citizens to openly carry a handgun. Any person 21 years of age or older, who is not prohibited possessor, may carry a weapon openly or concealed without the need for a license. Any person carrying without a license must acknowledge and comply with the demands of a law enforcement officer when asked if he/she is carrying a concealed deadly weapon, if the officer has initiated an "investigation" such as a traffic stop.
It is unlawful to carry a firearm concealed within the immediate control of any person in or on a means of transportation if under 21 years of age. Firearms carried in a vehicle shall be transported in a case, a holster or scabbard, a storage compartment, trunk, pack, luggage, or glove compartment of a means of transportation.
No person shall, unless specifically authorized by law, enter a public establishment or attend a public event carrying a firearm after a reasonable request by the operator of the establishment or the sponsor of the event to remove his firearm and place it in the custody of the operator or sponsor. This does not apply to shooting ranges or shooting events, hunting areas or similar locations or activities.
It is unlawful, unless specifically authorized by law, to enter an election polling place on the day of any election carrying a firearm.
It is unlawful to possess a deadly weapon on grade or high school grounds. This shall not apply to an unloaded firearm within a means of transportation under the control of an adult, provided, if the adult leaves the vehicle, it shall be locked and the unloaded firearm shall not be visible, or for a program approved by the school.
The Department of Public Safety shall issue a permit to carry a concealed weapon to a resident of the state at least 21 years old, a U.S. citizen, who satisfactorily completes an approved firearms safety program, submits fingerprints and a fee of $60 for a new license and $43 for a renewal, and who does not fall into a class of person prohibited to possess a firearm, such as a convicted felon, adjudicated mental incompetent, or illegal alien. The qualification checks shall be completed within 60 days of receipt of the application, and the permit will be issued within 15 working days after completing the checks. The permit is valid for not more than 5 years and is renewable every 5 years.
The Department of Public Safety shall enter into written agreements with states that require written agreements for the purpose of establishing mutual recognition. A person with a concealed firearm permit who is a resident of another state, is lawfully present and not prohibited from possessing a firearm in the state of Arizona, may carry a concealed firearm while in this state.
A person with a concealed weapons permit may carry a concealed handgun on the premises of a liquor licensee who is an on-sale retailer unless the licensee posts a sign that clearly prohibits the possession of weapons on the licensed premises.
A property owner, tenant, public or private employer or business entity shall not establish, maintain or enforce a policy or rule that prohibits a person from lawfully transporting or lawfully storing any firearm that is in the person’s locked and privately owned motor vehicle or in a locked compartment on the person’s privately owned motorcycle and not visible from the outside of the motor vehicle or motorcycle.
Any hunter going afield may carry a handgun for self defense but shall not use the handgun for the taking of wildlife.
http://www.nraila.org/gun-laws/state-laws/arizona.aspx
