An upstate gun-store proprietor mentioned Sunday he lately offered an assault weapon to accused Buffalo shooter Payton Gendron — and that he “feels horrible” in regards to the teen’s alleged crime.
Robert Donald of Classic Firearms in Endicott, NY, instructed The New York Occasions he realized from federal brokers Saturday evening that he had lately offered the 18-year-old suspect a Bushmaster assault weapon.
“I knew nothing about it till I obtained the decision from them,” Donald instructed the outlet. “I couldn’t imagine it.”
Gendron beforehand mentioned in a race-hating manifesto that he deliberate to make use of a Bushmaster XM-15 in his assault, which ended up killing 10 folks at a grocery store Saturday.
Donald mentioned he didn’t recall specifics about his gun sale to Gendron due to the quantity of shoppers he serves however that two brokers from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives got here to his retailer at 7:30 p.m. to collect paperwork associated to the acquisition.
The store’s background test on Gendron had not turned up any crimson flags, Donald mentioned.
“He didn’t stand out,” he mentioned of the teenager. “As a result of if he did, I might’ve by no means offered him the gun.
“I don’t perceive why an 18-year-old would even do that,” Donald mentioned. “I do know I didn’t do something unsuitable, however I really feel horrible about it.”
Donald mentioned he not often sells the kind of assault rifle sought by Gendron and as a substitute focuses on classic pistols.
Gendron reportedly modified the firearm to make it extra deadly. Donald mentioned the weapon was legally compliant when offered.
“Even with all of these security options on it — which is the one method I promote it — any gun may be simply modified if you happen to actually wish to do it,” the gun-shop proprietor mentioned.
Gendron is accused of concentrating on black clients after touring to Buffalo to hold out the taking pictures.
