The owner of the gun store where Omar Mateen purchased the guns used in the shootings at Pulse Nightclub in Orlando which left at least 49 people dead is a retired New York City police officer.
Ed Henson, the owner of the St. Lucie Shooting Center, says Mateen legally purchased the weapons which were used in Sunday’s shooting at his store.
“An evil person came in here and they legally purchased two firearms from us,” Henson said.“If he hadn’t purchased them from us, I’m sure he would have gotten them from another local gun store in the area.”
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Henson said Mateen recently purchased the two guns, an assault-type rifle and a handgun, about a week apart at his store. Henson says the killer had all the proper documentation.
WATCH: Gun shop owner says Orlando nightclub shooter legally purchased two firearms
“This man held multiple security licences. He had an armed and an unarmed licence. He passed a background check that every single person that purchases a firearm in the state of Florida undergoes.”
The doors were closed at Henson’s store Monday morning as he allowed federal officials from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) full access to the St. Lucie Shooting Center.
“We decided to shut the doors so that ATF could complete their inspection, and their investigation without any distractions or delay.”
He said the check of how he operates his shop came up spotless.
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“We are in full compliance with all of the ATF rules and regulations.”
Henson retired from being a police officer in 2002, after more than 20 years on the job. He was on the job for several tragedies including 9/11 and said he can sympathize with the officers working on the Orlando shooting.
“I personally worked down at the Twin Towers. I retired in March of ‘02. And I was also a first responder to Flight 587 which went down in Rockaway Park.”
“I have an idea of what they are facing in this investigation and it’s horrific.”