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ON APRIL 23, Colin Ferguson visited a Turner’s Outdoorsman store in Signal Hill, California. He picked out a Ruger P-89 and completed a purchase form, presenting a California driver’s license. He was told he could pick up the 9-mm pistol in 16 days, 15 required by the state and 1 added by the store. During that time the California Department of Justice checked state and federal data bases for a disqualifying criminal record. It also checked whether Ferguson had been involuntarily committed to a mental hospital in California. He cleared both hurdles and picked up his gun on May 9.

Seven months later, on the evening of December 7, Ferguson took a ride on the 5:33 train from Manhattan to Hicksville, Long Island. At about 6:10p.m., as the train was approaching the Merillon Avenue station in Garden City, he drew his gun, stood up, and began firing. He shot 23 people, fatally wounding 6, before 3 passengers managed to subdue him.

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Jacob Sullum

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ON APRIL 23, Colin Ferguson visited a Turner’s Outdoorsman store in Signal Hill, California. He picked out a Ruger P-89 and completed a purchase form, presenting a California driver’s license. He was told he could pick up the 9-mm pistol in 16 days, 15 required by the state and 1 added by the store. During that time the California Department of Justice checked state and federal data bases for a disqualifying criminal record. It also checked whether Ferguson had been involuntarily committed to a mental hospital in California. He cleared both hurdles and picked up his gun on May 9.

Seven months later, on the evening of December 7, Ferguson took a ride on the 5:33 train from Manhattan to Hicksville, Long Island. At about 6:10p.m., as the train was approaching the Merillon Avenue station in Garden City, he drew his gun, stood up, and began firing. He shot 23 people, fatally wounding 6, before 3 passengers managed to subdue him.