The shooting in Aurora, Colorado was horrific and pro-foundly distressing. It is hard to grasp how someone can just walk into a movie theatre and start killing. Where does this type of motivation come from? The question of motivation behind this killing spree is one that is going to be intensely scrutinized over the next few months.

Another question is, how does a person walk into a movie theatre with weapons and in body armor without someone, an employee, stepping up and asking him what the hell is going on?

The last question is how does someone buy four guns with ammo clips that hold a hundred rounds within the same month without raising any red flags? Why isn’t anyone following up on these types of purchases? This is the question that will draw the most attention in the next few months as gun supporters jump to the defense of gun ownership and those who want limits on guns demand greater gun control.

American citizens have the right to own a gun. This is a Constitutional guarantee. It is a part of the American culture and history. At the same time American citizens, in particular those in this movie theatre, have the right to live and to be safe in America.

The right to be able to own a gun for self-protection, the right to own hunting rifles should be guaranteed. At the same time there needs to be safeguards in place that lend a hand toward protecting the rights of citizens to live without fear of a mass killing taking place.

When someone buys four guns within two months, including and AR-15 assault rifle that can fire 50 to 60 rounds a minute, two Glock pistols, a shotgun and 6000 rounds of ammunition, somewhere an alarm should have gone off and there should have been some sort of follow up.

No one needs 6000 rounds of ammunition! In California there are limits.

California limits the sale of some firearms, ammunition and accessories.

There is a ban on the sale of high-capacity ammunition clips and military-style assault rifles to the public. Buyers of other guns must wait 10 days while state and federal authorities investigate the purchaser for a possible criminal record or history of serious mental illness. And beginning in 2014 records will be kept on rifles and shotguns sold in the state.

Now is the time to start talking about putting restrictions across the nation that follow our state’s example. In California James Holmes would not have been able to legally buy 6000 thousands rounds of ammunition, nor would he have been able to buy a gun magazine that holds a 100 rounds.

Something needs to be done that addresses the ease at which one can buy these killing weapons and ammunition and following California’s example is a good place to start. To do nothing only leaves the door open for the next deranged person to go on the internet and buy their guns for the next killing spree.