Bureau: Killer bought five guns over the counter

Matthew Murray, who killed four people and wounded five others in attacks on two Christian centers, bought all five of his weapons over the past year from licensed firearms dealers, including one in Colorado Springs.

Colorado Springs police this afternoon confirmed information provided by the federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.

Murray had three of the weapons on him when he died at New Life Church in Colorado Springs:

* A Bushmaster XM15 assault rifle, purchased Jan. 9 at the Sportsman’s Warehouse at 14140 E. Ellsworth Ave. in Aurora. The average retail price of the firearm is $700 to $800.

* A Beretta .40-caliber semiautomatic handgun, purchased Jan. 4 at Sportsman’s Warehouse at 555 N. Chelton Road in Colorado Springs. While the company would not provide a sale amount, the average price of the firearm is $600.

* A Springfield Armory 9mm semiautomatic handgun, purchased Sept. 11 at Dave’s Guns, 1842 S. Parker Road in Denver. The average sale price of the firearm is $500 to $700.

In addition, investigators found an AK-47 assault rifle in the trunk of his car and a Beretta .22-caliber handgun at his Arapahoe County home.

The AK-47 was purchased Nov. 17 at Robert’s Firearms, 18498 E. Colfax Ave., in Aurora. The Beretta was purchased June 2 at the Aurora Sportsman’s Warehouse.

Murray purchased all five weapons himself, according to Colorado Springs police.

At the Sportsman’s Warehouse in Colorado Springs, a store manager referred questions to the company’s corporate headquarters.

“We are fully cooperating with the authorities who are investigating this horrible tragedy,” Vice President Matt French said Wednesday.

He said sales from both Sportsman’s Warehouse stores followed the law.

“He bought guns from throughout the area and obviously had to pass a background check every time,” French said.

Along with the background check, employees must “feel comfortable” about the sale, and nothing raised any alarms, French said.

Police investigators also said today that Jean Assam, the church security officer who shot and wounded Murray, fired 10 rounds from her Beretta 9mm semiautomatic handgun.

Church officials have said the volunteers serving as security guards at the church have all required permits and licenses.