TIPOFF

FBI Considered Gun Purchase Alert System

For buyers of multiple guns like Omar Mateen.

Seven years ago, the Federal Bureau of Investigation considered creating an alert system that would tip off the agency when someone tried to purchase multiple guns at one time, like Omar Mateen, the Orlando mass shooter. Multiple officials told The Wall Street Journal the project was abandoned due to potential legal problems. Law-enforcement officials have cited the purchase of multiple guns at a time as a possible indicator of an individual taking steps toward a mass shooting. The FBI is also weighing the legality of creating an alert system when people like Mateen, who have been previously investigated for terrorism, attempt to purchase weapons.