Free Republic

On July 24, the day after John Russell Houser allegedly used a handgun to kill two people in Lafayette, Louisiana, former Maryland Gov. Martin O’Malley called on Congress to ban “the sale of assault weapons” and “[establish] a national gun registry.” He also said it is time to “[increase] inspections” on gun shops and mandate that gun owners lock up their guns in their homes.

The man alleged to have shot up a movie theater in Lafayette, La., has been identified as John Russel "Rusty" Houser, a former political candidate and activist here in Columbus. Columbus police confirm that federal authorities have contacted them about tracking Houser's background. Houser is the son of the late Rembert Houser, a longtime city tax commissioner. Rusty Houser had a history here of political activism, fighting taxes and at one point running for office. [....] According to the Associated Press, 2008 court records show Houser's family sought protective orders because he "exhibited extreme erratic behavior and has made ominous...