Omar Mateen, the suspect in the Orlando shooting, legally purchased the handgun and AR-15 rifle used in the nightclub massacre.
The AR-15 is semi-automatic. It reloads quickly, allowing shooters to fire fast and often.
The sale or possession of the AR-15 and other assault weapons are banned in California.
California also prohibits any person from distributing, transporting, giving or lending any assault weapon within the state.
According to the California Firearms Laws Summary, in order to buy a gun, you have to show you are a California resident, obtain a Firearm Safety Certificate by scoring at least 75 percent on a written test and perform a safe handling demonstration. There's also a 10 day "wait" time while a background check is done.
According to the NRA, you don't need a license to own or buy a rifle, shotgun or handgun in Florida. You have to fill out an ID form, and have to pass a background check.
San Diego Brady Campaign spokesperson Ron Marcus said: “As I understand it, Florida has some of the more lax gun laws in the country, so it’s easier to procure that type of gun in that area. Different states have different levels of regulations. So while it might be tough for instance, in California, which has the toughest rules in the country, to get that kind of gun, one can easily go into a neighboring state that doesn’t have those kinds of rules and get whatever kind of gun they want.”
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This week, the State Senate will consider additional tweaks in California's current gun laws.
One change could stop so-called straw purchases, in which a person would be prohibited from buying a gun for someone else.
Another change would allow mental health experts to get restraining orders, so people considered "high risk" would not be able to purchase a gun.
“California is leading the nation, setting an example for trying to control gun problems here, gun violence," Marcus said. "What it is really going to take is some sort of consistent national set of regulations that are respected by all the states so that people can’t bypass the rules by going to the other states.”
