Associated Press
CARSON CITY, Nev. — Authorities have identified the weapon used in a deadly rampage at a Nevada IHOP restaurant as a legal, Chinese-made version of an AK-47 that was professionally altered to work as an illegal automatic weapon.
Carson City Sheriff Kenny Furlong said Wednesday the shooter’s mental health history has no bearing on the firearms investigation because Nevada law allows the private sale of weapons without background checks.
Eduardo Sencion used the weapon Sept. 6 to gun down 11 people, killing four before taking his own life.
The gun was last sold by a private party in California to an unknown buyer more than five years ago. Investigators are still trying to trace the source of the alterations.
Authorities have said Sencion was hospitalized for mental health issues as an adult.
Copyright 2011 Associated Press