Bondi: Laws wouldn't prevent Colorado shootings

TAMPA, Fla. - In the wake of the shooting massacre at a Colorado movie theater, Florida's Attorney General is not likely to press for changes to her state's current gun laws.

Pam Bondi said while the incident was heartbreaking, there's too much information yet to be revealed about the suspect and the circumstances.

"It's one of the most horrible tragedies I've seen," Bondi said during an appearance at St. Joseph's Women's Hospital in Tampa.

"I think we have a lot more to study on the topic," she said.

Investigators have revealed that the shooting suspect, James Holmes, was able to buy 6,000 rounds of ammunition from the comfort of his home.  It is believed Holmes purchased $3,000 worth of assault rifle rounds, shotgun shells, and handgun bullets from online retailers.  

Such purchases are legal, and states like Florida have few regulations, if any, on buying ammunition on the internet.

Bondi said where the bullets were purchased has little bearing on the incident itself.

"If any bad person wants to get their hands on guns and ammunition, they're going to do it," Bondi said.  "Whether it be online or walking in a store and purchasing it," she said.

Derrick Jones of Tampa has two kids, aged 13 and 22.  After what happened last week, he's even more concerned about safety in theaters, especially knowing how often his kids go to the movies.

Jones is among those who would like to see tougher laws on ammunition sales.

"I think there should be a crackdown on that," Jones said.  "You should make it harder for the average person to buy and stockpile weapons like that," he said.

Ruth Chiasson of Tampa is the mother of a 20-month-old girl with a second child on the way.  Her husband is a former Marine who is licensed to carry a concealed weapon in Florida.

"I wish there could have been someone in there with a conceal permit," Chiasson said, referring to those inside the theater at the time of the attack.

"I think they could have fought back," Chiasson said.  She believed her husband wouldn't have hesitated to shoot the suspect if given the chance.

Private property laws might interfere with people's ability to bring concealed weapons into theaters.  A U.S. Supreme Court ruling said employers could restrict workers from carrying weapons into the workplace.  Theaters may consider using restrictions of their own, such as metal detectors.

Florida's Republican controlled legislature is typically supportive of gun rights, so any introduction of laws that would restrict ammunition and gun sales are unlikely to pass.

Still, Jones said there needs to be a way to better protect people in light of the Colorado killings.

"Increase the laws where there are multiple background checks," Jones said.  "They could see something like that coming."