Colorado state Senator Bernie Herpin (R) says it may be a good thing that Aurora theater shooter James Holmes used a 100-round magazine because it malfunctioned before he could finish annihilating the entire packed theater.
Herpin made this stupefying statement while arguing that the state’s ban on high-capacity magazines, such as the 100-round drum Holmes used, should be overtuned.
“My understanding is that James Holmes bought his 100-round capacity magazine legally,” state Sen. Irene Aguilar (D) said to Herpin during the hearing. “So in fact, this law would have stopped James Holmes from purchasing a 100-round magazine. … I just wondered if you agree with me.”
“Perhaps, James Holmes would not have been able to purchase a 100-round magazine,” Herpin said in response. “As it turned out, that was maybe a good thing that he had a 100-round magazine, because it jammed. If he had instead had four, five, six 15-round magazines, no telling how much damage he could have done until a good guy with a gun showed up.”
And if his 100-round magazine didn’t jam, how many more would have been killed? How many Good Guys With Guns would have been killed? Should the Good Guys With Guns also bring 100-round magazines with them to the Gunfight at the O.K. Corral?
At least 70 people were injured in the Aurora theater shooting. Herpin was elected after a Democrat who supported the high-capacity ban was recalled from office. Colorado conservatives replaced a sensible representative with a lunatic.