Father of Georgia school shooting suspect told investigators he purchased gun as holiday present for son, sources say | CNN
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The father of the mass shooting suspect accused of killing four people at Apalachee High School in Winder, Georgia, told investigators this week he had purchased the gun used in the killings as a holiday present for his son in December 2023, according to two law enforcement sources with direct knowledge of the investigation.

The father of the mass shooting suspect accused of killing four people at Apalachee High School in Winder, Georgia, told investigators this week he had purchased the gun used in the killings as a holiday present for his son in December 2023, according to two law enforcement sources with direct knowledge of the investigation.

Colt Gray, a 14-year-old student, is accused of killing two students and two teachers with an AR-style rifle in the Wednesday shooting. Nine more people were hospitalized.

One source told CNN the AR-15-style rifle was purchased at a local gun store as a Christmas present.

  • Machinist@lemmy.worldEnglish
    95·
    3 months ago

    Why? He’s not as big into hunting like me, but will kill varmints when necessary and has done so when I’m not home so his mother didn’t have to.

    I used to go hunting alone when I was his age.

    He’s mentally stable, well adjusted. He views guns as tools, as do I. He also has a rolling toolbox with $1k of tools in it. He put in so much work this summer that a full toolbox was part of how I rewarded him.

    Now, if there was depression, threats, suicidal tendencies, etc.: totally different situation.

    Guns aren’t a masculinity fetish for us, they’re just another tool. Guns and other power tools are fun to play with as long as you understand the safety and proper use of them.

    I’m in the market for a chainsaw, I’ll be getting chaps to go with it. He’ll also be trained in the use of the chainsaw and have open access to it.

    I’ve also been teaching him how to drive and he can’t get a permit until he’s 16.

    He uses dangerous tools regularly. More and more, he does so without my direct supervision.

    • meliaesc@lemmy.world
      1·
      3 months ago

      A chainsaw’s primary use is to cut through wood. A car’s primary use is to travel from point A to B. A gun’s primary use is to kill. Again, I very much support the training and use cases, but that’s why I’m against open access without an issued permit.

      • Machinist@lemmy.worldEnglish
        1·
        3 months ago

        He also has open access to rat poison.

        … that’s why I’m against open access without an issued permit.

        I’m guessing you’re not from the US? Permits aren’t issued for such a thing. As far as I know, permits are only issued for concealed carry outside of one’s property. There are hunting licenses, but that that doesn’t really factor in to gun access.

        Given the smaller calibers and slow fire rates of the guns he has access to, the purpose of his guns is not man killing. They’re for varmints and such.

        I keep going back to the tool definition of guns. In the US, most people seem to no longer view guns as tools. They are scary or empowering magic objects that cause great fear or act as a male enhancement device depending on political views.

        IDK, this society is sick this shooting is a symptom. People’s knee jerk reactions to guns on both sides is a symptom. Kids get caught in the middle in the meat grinder.