90 guns & 24,000+ rounds confiscated from college student

SM0KE · May 7, 2020

DrKelpo said:
Am I understanding this correctly... The crime wasn't that he had all these guns, but the scammy way he got them?

The scammy way that he got some of them was what brought him under investigation which subsequently found him in possession of some guns that were illegal themselves due to being fully-automatic. If none of the guns or accessories were outright illegal then he would only be facing the wire and mail fraud charges though.

dragonchild · May 7, 2020

Kyuuji said:
This seems like a weird thing to take personally. Like there's no difference in assumptions around a game developer looking up mass shootings for a game they're working on and someone stockpiling 90 guns and thousands of rounds of ammunition looking up mass shootings.

Probable cause is a weird thing to take seriously?

Tayaya · May 7, 2020

Shugga said:
Yes if you buy 90 guns you're a terrorist.

Not sure if you're being sarcastic or not, but the act of buying and owning many guns doesn't necessarily signify ill-intent, and definitely doesn't make someone a terrorist. Guns, like many other things, can be viewed as collectibles - many of them have low production numbers (some only in the double-digits) and some of them have historical significance. I've found that in the IT and engineering fields, people like to buy them to explore the mechanics behind what makes each one work, as every one of them is different in how it cycles, breaks down, what can be customized on it, etc - for those that like to tinker breaking down and cleaning guns can be a relaxing experience.

It's mostly the other warning signs with this guy that make him a domestic terrorist - the research he was doing, and the fraud he was committing to amass an arsenal very quickly (probably figured he'd make a move before it caught up to him), and the insane amount of ammunition. If you need a storage unit to keep your spare ammo, it's definitely time to re-evaluate your life choices.

I know several people that have collections in the 30-40 gun range, and neither of them are terrorists and neither of them harbor any ill intent towards humanity or anyone personal in their lives. They just like guns, enjoy shooting sports, and again like to customize them with different parts. For them it's their hobby just like gaming and R/C cars are mine. I own one gun, a .22 caliber Beretta that I take to the range when I hang out with these fellas. I see the appeal, but one is enough for me!

Not defending this guy by any means, just saying that you CAN own multiple guns and not be driven by a primal urge to kill.

AoM · May 7, 2020

Tayaya said:
For them it's their hobby just like gaming and R/C cars are mine.

Couldn't resist.

Sesame Street: One of These Things

If you're watching videos with your preschooler and would like to do so in a safe, child-friendly environment, please join us at http://www.sesamestreet.orgW...

www.youtube.com

Tayaya · May 7, 2020

AoM said:
Couldn't resist.

Sesame Street: One of These Things

If you're watching videos with your preschooler and would like to do so in a safe, child-friendly environment, please join us at http://www.sesamestreet.orgW...

www.youtube.com

Bahaha! I can't argue against this.

Fat4all · May 7, 2020

dragonchild said:
Probable cause is a weird thing to take seriously?

HStallion · May 7, 2020

dragonchild said:
Oh FFS. I've been doing research for a game I'm working on. I've been looking up mass shootings and bump stocks. It's like 0.01% of the collective research which has gone down other strange rabbit holes (did you know there was a type of armor in ancient China called "mountain pattern" that, to date, no one knows how it works?), but the way this article was written you'd think I'm guilty as sin. Actually, you should be trembling in fear of me, because I don't see any mention that this guy was trying to compare the characteristics of various explosives, or the actual cost of a chain gun. I've been doing that, too. Fear my search terms!

The only "gotcha" mentioned in the article is that he bought bump stocks, which by itself is a crime, since those are banned, so good riddance. Those things are good for literally only one thing and that's firing into crowds of people. Everything else is circumstantial, yet written in such a way that mentioning that fact makes it easy to paint dissent as some mass shooting sympathizer. It's media being stupid, but if we really are now living in a world where people can be prosecuted for search terms, then the government already has enough dirt to turn basically anyone into a fugitive and hell, I'm Public Enemy #1.

It's not even as if we need to reach this far anyway. "Thought crime" invariably make me extremely uncomfortable, especially when someone's already busted for a real crime (he purchased contraband -- what more do we need?), but would-be terrorists provide plenty anyway. Forget his search history; if he was really going to shoot up a place, it seems every one of those loons has some lengthy unhinged manifesto posted right on Facebook or other that not only makes it clear they're unstable, it'll often include details of the plan itself.

It becomes far more of an issue when you're stock piling guns and ammo as well. That should be bluntly obvious here.

dragonchild · May 7, 2020

HStallion said:
It becomes far more of an issue when you're stock piling guns and ammo as well.

Not really. I know a C&R collector who at this point may own more than 90 guns, and a crapton of ammo. In the 20+ years I've known him he hasn't so much as shot a fly. Plenty of time at the range, though. Dunno anything about his search history, but I do know he doesn't own any bump stocks.

This guy bought mass shooter contraband. I mean. . . isn't that the story? Literally every other detail is superfluous (except that he scammed the sellers because that's also a crime, and how he got caught). What's bizarre is that folks -- starting with the article's author and the OP -- are clinging to details that are anything but the explicit fact that he owned hardware that is good for literally nothing other than massacre. At that point who gives a rat's ass how many guns he owned, or how he used the Internet? You own a bump stock you can do real damage with just one gun. It's not like the 90th one makes much of a difference; he's only got two hands. It'd be like if we walked in on a serial killer's body dump site and folks here are going omygosh there's a porn magazine!

Razmos · May 7, 2020

dragonchild said:
Oh FFS. I've been doing research for a game I'm working on. I've been looking up mass shootings and bump stocks. It's like 0.01% of the collective research which has gone down other strange rabbit holes (did you know there was a type of armor in ancient China called "mountain pattern" that, to date, no one knows how it works?), but the way this article was written you'd think I'm guilty as sin. Actually, you should be trembling in fear of me, because I don't see any mention that this guy was trying to compare the characteristics of various explosives, or the actual cost of a chain gun. I've been doing that, too. Fear my search terms!

The only "gotcha" mentioned in the article is that he bought bump stocks, which by itself is a crime, since those are banned, so good riddance. Those things are good for literally only one thing and that's firing into crowds of people. Everything else is circumstantial, yet written in such a way that mentioning that fact makes it easy to paint dissent as some mass shooting sympathizer. It's media being stupid, but if we really are now living in a world where people can be prosecuted for search terms, then the government already has enough dirt to turn basically anyone into a fugitive and hell, I'm Public Enemy #1.

It's not even as if we need to reach this far anyway. "Thought crime" invariably make me extremely uncomfortable, especially when someone's already busted for a real crime (he purchased contraband -- what more do we need?), but would-be terrorists provide plenty anyway. Forget his search history; if he was really going to shoot up a place, it seems every one of those loons has some lengthy unhinged manifesto posted right on Facebook or other that not only makes it clear they're unstable, it'll often include details of the plan itself.

Why the fuck would you need to research these things for a video game?

Fiction · May 7, 2020

dragonchild said:
Oh FFS. I've been doing research for a game I'm working on. I've been looking up mass shootings and bump stocks. It's like 0.01% of the collective research which has gone down other strange rabbit holes (did you know there was a type of armor in ancient China called "mountain pattern" that, to date, no one knows how it works?), but the way this article was written you'd think I'm guilty as sin. Actually, you should be trembling in fear of me, because I don't see any mention that this guy was trying to compare the characteristics of various explosives, or the actual cost of a chain gun. I've been doing that, too. Fear my search terms!

The only "gotcha" mentioned in the article is that he bought bump stocks, which by itself is a crime, since those are banned, so good riddance. Those things are good for literally only one thing and that's firing into crowds of people. Everything else is circumstantial, yet written in such a way that mentioning that fact makes it easy to paint dissent as some mass shooting sympathizer. It's media being stupid, but if we really are now living in a world where people can be prosecuted for search terms, then the government already has enough dirt to turn basically anyone into a fugitive and hell, I'm Public Enemy #1.

It's not even as if we need to reach this far anyway. "Thought crime" invariably make me extremely uncomfortable, especially when someone's already busted for a real crime (he purchased contraband -- what more do we need?), but would-be terrorists provide plenty anyway. Forget his search history; if he was really going to shoot up a place, it seems every one of those loons has some lengthy unhinged manifesto posted right on Facebook or other that not only makes it clear they're unstable, it'll often include details of the plan itself.

But if you are collecting a hundred guns, armor, ammo and bump stocks too...

Also wtf?

Edit: wait the only red flag was the bump stocks?!

Box · May 7, 2020

Heynongman! said:
Which shouldn't even be possible, but with how normalized this all became... here we are.

The real worry is that this is looked back on as a tame period. i'm not sure how this gets better, but I can easily see it getting worse and worse.

dragonchild · May 7, 2020

Razmos said:
Why the fuck would you need to research these things for a video game?

You wouldn't. It isn't one. But if you must know, I was more curious about police response -- approaches used, successes and failures, equipment, etc., not so much "how to kill a bunch of people quickly". In hindsight I don't think the time spent was all that productive for game design, but I didn't want to assume from a position of ignorance. I did learn a few things that are relevant to the gun control debate, so it wasn't a complete waste. Gaining knowledge seldom is.

But look, does it really matter? A grad student might look up, even read, Mein Kampf. What matters is the output. Did said student go on to submit a thesis on political history, or post some white supremacist manifesto about cleansing the Earth with purifying fire? Article just said so-and-so looked up mass shootings and bump stocks, as if that's incriminating by itself.

We both researched bump stocks; I took some notes whereas he went out and bought them. If that's the difference that matters, why is it so important to loop back to the part that isn't, you know, explicitly illegal? Cripes' sake, this dude is already nailed to the wall and people are freaking out about the stuff that don't matter.

Fiction said:
But if you are collecting a hundred guns, armor, ammo and bump stocks too...

Then stupid journalists hardly need to mention that you researched bump stocks because you fucking bought them. Which is literally a crime.

"This person is dangerous because they researched X" is an inexcusable mindset because it associates guilt on the input side. It also just happens to be a universal tool of authoritarians throughout history, some going as far as banning reading altogether. I could be researching Jeffrey effin' Dahmer and everyone should mind their own damn business if the output is a fictional procedural. And if the output is instead that I'm illegally stocking up on drugs & acid and stalking people and posting super-creepy stuff to adolescents on social media, that's the gorram evidence.

HiLife · May 7, 2020

why so many. I still don't think owning a single firearm is necessary but 89 more?

RoninStrife · May 7, 2020

Shugga said:
Yes if you buy 90 guns you're a terrorist.

Exactly. I mean.. he is researching mass shootings for crying out loud..
The article uses the word "researching", not even just google searches.
If he was any other race, he'd be called a terrorist.

Kyuuji · May 7, 2020

dragonchild said:
Cripes' sake, this dude is already nailed to the wall and people are freaking out about the stuff that don't matter.

You're the only person freaking out about something in this thread though.

Lobster Roll · May 7, 2020

Great way to carry your dad's name, Junior. Congrats on being a terrorist, you absolute moron.

dragonchild · May 7, 2020

Kyuuji said:
You're the only person freaking out about something in this thread though.

I'm clearly not (did you even read the thread or do you literally have everyone else on Ignore), nor should I be (probable cause AND mass shootings are both big deals), but whatever, take your smug chin-stroking crap and shove it.

Commedieu · May 7, 2020

wow, truly a Trump generation Grifter terrorist.

Fiction said:
But if you are collecting a hundred guns, armor, ammo and bump stocks too...

Also wtf?

Edit: wait the only red flag was the bump stocks?!

yeah thats enough internet for one day. ANd I Just woke up

colorblindmode · May 7, 2020

About an hour and a half from me. Terrifying.

Some of the morons on r/SouthCarolina are praising this dude's "right to own"

VariantX · May 7, 2020

Wonderful. I know what we're gonna be talking about at work today. Its super fucked up that having an excessive amount of firearms and ammo isn't a red-flag...

Redcrayon · May 7, 2020

It wasn't even just the guns. According to the affidavit, he also had a gas mask, body armour and tactical helmet too.

Sure, none of those things are illegal to own. But when you have all of them, plus 90 guns, thousands of rounds of ammo, are a student and are researching school shootings, so basically have all the kit that a school shooter might want to inflict a lot of damage in a short period of time while preparing to fight off responders equipped with small arms, it's no wonder that the bump stocks and fraud that make up the actual criminal component aren't the only questions being asked. Why wouldn't people 'freak out' about that? If I heard a student at my kid's school had that as his hobby, even if he explained it as being some military enthusiast or weird apocalypse prepper, I'd be freaking out too.

A comparison of 'I've looked up school shootings and illegal gun components for maximising casualties online too' doesn't work here. It's that the research is in the context of having a complete physical armoury ready to go and suitable to make it a terrifying reality that makes it worrying.

HardRojo · May 7, 2020

Maaaaaaybe, just maybe, and I'm spitballing here, gun control should be a lot stricter.

GoldenEye 007 · May 7, 2020

Shugga said:
Yes if you buy 90 guns you're a terrorist.

Well steal 90 guns, amass enough ammo to forever bruise your shoulder, and search about mass shootings and other related things. Yeah good chance he was looking to be one.

dragonchild · May 7, 2020

Redcrayon said:
Sure, none of those things are illegal to own. But when you have all of them, plus 90 guns

I mean, if you're dead-set on hurting people, you only need one.

Kyuuji · May 7, 2020

dragonchild said:
I'm clearly not (did you even read the thread or do you literally have everyone else on Ignore), nor should I be (probable cause AND mass shootings are both big deals), but whatever, take your smug chin-stroking crap and shove it.

You clearly are though. Writing paragraphs and getting agitated because people can appreciate the concern around someone stockpiling 90 guns, thousands of rounds of ammunition and other resources while also showing an interest in mass shootings.

Redcrayon · May 7, 2020

dragonchild said:
I mean, if you're dead-set on hurting people, you only need one.

Yeah but it's kinda meaningless when I don't think 'his behaviour would have been more strange if he had only owned one gun rather than 90+' is likely to come up in further analysis of his armoury.

Do you see the difference in context between research and research+owning the physical kit to enact what you research?

Deleted member 21709 · May 7, 2020

RoninStrife said:
So... I see the word "terrorist" or alledged Domestic "Terrorist, or Terrorism " isn't used in tha article. Why is that? Is it because he is?

..what? Do you think he likes to collect guns... and ammunition?

Indy in the Fridge · May 7, 2020

Bigwombat said:
About
I'm a student attending Midlands Technical college, planning to transfer to USC Columbia soon toward a Bachelor's degree in Computer Science. I'm an avid collector in comics, action figures, video games, and anime. I'm hoping to crack into the virtual reality of computer software one day.

In case he's LinkedIn gets deleted.

OG YOLOwen · May 7, 2020

GS_Dan said:

First time I've ever seen a bump stock in action and holy shit dude I let out an audible gasp when he started firing that thing

why would any civilian need that much firepower

rckvla · May 7, 2020

He was able to buy all of those using a Paypal scheme? Wtf.

Edit:

GS_Dan said:

Goddamn that's scary.

RoninStrife · May 7, 2020

inguef said:
..what? Do you think he likes to collect guns... and ammunition?

I meant.. they dont call him a terrorist because he is white.

In America, if you're a person of color, you could get killed for looking at a cop a certain way.
But they won't call a spade a spade.
Guy Googles mass shooting, thousands of rounds of ammo. 90 guns = Terrorist. They should call him that, but they don't.

Mammoth Jones · May 7, 2020

dragonchild said:
Oh FFS. I've been doing research for a game I'm working on. I've been looking up mass shootings and bump stocks. It's like 0.01% of the collective research which has gone down other strange rabbit holes (did you know there was a type of armor in ancient China called "mountain pattern" that, to date, no one knows how it works?), but the way this article was written you'd think I'm guilty as sin. Actually, you should be trembling in fear of me, because I don't see any mention that this guy was trying to compare the characteristics of various explosives, or the actual cost of a chain gun. I've been doing that, too. Fear my search terms!

The only "gotcha" mentioned in the article is that he bought bump stocks, which by itself is a crime, since those are banned, so good riddance. Those things are good for literally only one thing and that's firing into crowds of people. Everything else is circumstantial, yet written in such a way that mentioning that fact makes it easy to paint dissent as some mass shooting sympathizer. It's media being stupid, but if we really are now living in a world where people can be prosecuted for search terms, then the government already has enough dirt to turn basically anyone into a fugitive and hell, I'm Public Enemy #1.

It's not even as if we need to reach this far anyway. "Thought crime" invariably make me extremely uncomfortable, especially when someone's already busted for a real crime (he purchased contraband -- what more do we need?), but would-be terrorists provide plenty anyway. Forget his search history; if he was really going to shoot up a place, it seems every one of those loons has some lengthy unhinged manifesto posted right on Facebook or other that not only makes it clear they're unstable, it'll often include details of the plan itself.

I think they got him on a real crime (the bump stocks) and the amount of firearms, ammo, and his internet history is just more context to confiscate his firearms and ensure a conviction. Which I'm fine with. Bump stocks are illegal. I have no sympathy for this guy.

Although I'd be hesitant to say searching shootings in and of itself is indicative of someone that's going to commit a crime. I'm a gun owner. I have ammunition. All legal. But I have searched mass shootings. WIthout context that might seem fucked up. But when taken in context (was checking a fact/detail of the incident to continue a discussion/etc) it's not.

Owning a fuck ton of guns and ammo isn't a crime. But woe to anyone that does that and doesn't follow the law and then some...cause that's your ass.

Deleted member 21709 · May 7, 2020

RoninStrife said:
I meant.. they dont call him a terrorist because he is white.

In America, if you're a person of color, you could get killed for looking at a cop a certain way.
But they won't call a spade a spade.
Guy Googles mass shooting, thousands of rounds of ammo. 90 guns = Terrorist. They should call him that, but they don't.

Oh, I get you. I misunderstood your post. I was also calling him a terrorist.

Reluctantly Gumblesmug · May 7, 2020

Tayaya said:
Not sure if you're being sarcastic or not, but the act of buying and owning many guns doesn't necessarily signify ill-intent, and definitely doesn't make someone a terrorist. Guns, like many other things, can be viewed as collectibles - many of them have low production numbers (some only in the double-digits) and some of them have historical significance. I've found that in the IT and engineering fields, people like to buy them to explore the mechanics behind what makes each one work, as every one of them is different in how it cycles, breaks down, what can be customized on it, etc - for those that like to tinker breaking down and cleaning guns can be a relaxing experience.

It's mostly the other warning signs with this guy that make him a domestic terrorist - the research he was doing, and the fraud he was committing to amass an arsenal very quickly (probably figured he'd make a move before it caught up to him), and the insane amount of ammunition. If you need a storage unit to keep your spare ammo, it's definitely time to re-evaluate your life choices.

I know several people that have collections in the 30-40 gun range, and neither of them are terrorists and neither of them harbor any ill intent towards humanity or anyone personal in their lives. They just like guns, enjoy shooting sports, and again like to customize them with different parts. For them it's their hobby just like gaming and R/C cars are mine. I own one gun, a .22 caliber Beretta that I take to the range when I hang out with these fellas. I see the appeal, but one is enough for me!

Not defending this guy by any means, just saying that you CAN own multiple guns and not be driven by a primal urge to kill.

Agreed here. Just being a gun owner doesn't make you a psycho. I own 6, and they all have different operating mechanisms, which is one reason I think they're cool. I'm in favor of more strict gun legislation, and there is absolutely a lot of horrifying, toxic attitudes in the gun community, but more guns does not mean more desire to kill. This guy committing fraud, buying bump stocks, and researching mass shootings? Probably a psycho. But that doesn't mean all gun owners are evil.

BLEEN · May 7, 2020

I feel flagged just waltzing into this thread. This guy def. got thwarted. Good shit.

RoninStrife · May 7, 2020

inguef said:
Oh, I get you. I misunderstood your post. I was also calling him a terrorist.

cool :) We're on the same page on this. :)

Soliloquy of a Dogge · May 7, 2020

Agents said part of Kimpton's internet search history included the 2015 Charleston church shooting that killed nine parishioners at Mother Emanuel AME Church

Another day, another fragile racist white terrorist.

Subutai · May 7, 2020

Arkanim94 said:
If you buy a bump stock you are most likely a mass shooter in the making, thankfully he got caught.

Pretty trash opinion, IMO. Just like you don't need a gun, you don't need a bump stock, but owning one doesn't make you a fucking potential mass shooter.

Shugga said:
Yes if you buy 90 guns you're a terrorist.

Another trash opinion.

I get this forum has a mostly anti-gun stance but smh at some of these posts.

Arkanim94 · May 7, 2020

Subutai said:
Pretty trash opinion, IMO. Just like you don't need a gun, you don't need a bump stock, but owning one doesn't make you a fucking potential mass shooter.

for what reason would you want to have a bump stock?

Subutai · May 7, 2020

Arkanim94 said:
for what reason would you want to have a bump stock?

I have no clue why you would want one except for some people it's "fun" to shoot (waste ammo) like as if it were an automatic. I definitely wouldn't want one. But just having one doesn't mean you have nefarious intentions.

Arkanim94 · May 7, 2020

Subutai said:
But just having one doesn't mean you have nefarious intentions.

It means you at least aren't a responsible gun owner, si we are getting there.

Subutai · May 7, 2020

Arkanim94 said:
It means you at least aren't a responsible gun owner, si we are getting there.

If you're an otherwise "responsible" gun owner, just owning a dumb, impractical attachment, doesn't now make you an irresponsible one.

Pet · May 7, 2020

The act of buying 90 guns (B) doesn't mean that you're automatically a terrorist (A). To use B as an example to prove A isn't convincing because it begins with the assumption that B always means A.

Now, if you're arguing that this man IS a terrorist (A), and him owning 90 guns (B) is an example to support A (as well as other examples of his behavior to make the case for A)...yeah I agree.

I personally am pretty anti-gun. I would happily support a law banning all guns. I don't understand people who love guns. My association with guns is that guns are to kill others. Personally I'd be suspicious of the mental state of anyone who owned 90 guns regardless of the legality but that's me being judgy af. It doesn't actually mean they're not mentally stable or have issues.

Ashlette · May 7, 2020

Glad he was caught. His career is ruined and he has only himself to blame.

Tya · May 7, 2020

Subutai said:
If you're an otherwise "responsible" gun owner, just owning a dumb, impractical attachment, doesn't now make you an irresponsible one.

Owning a bump stock is a felony so I'd say a gun owner that has one is irresponsible.

take_marsh · May 7, 2020

Good good. Sounds like he was an asshole and a threat to the public.

Subutai said:
If you're an otherwise "responsible" gun owner, just owning a dumb, impractical attachment, doesn't now make you an irresponsible one.

The bump stock was a way around the very valid regulations against automatic weapons. It was irresponsible to own the accessory the moment it hit the market.

Subutai · May 7, 2020

Tya said:
Owning a bump stock is a felony so I'd say a gun owner that has one is irresponsible.

Yeah, I was talking as if a hypothetical person had one pre-ban, not now. If you get one now then yes, that's quite irresponsible as it's now a felony to own one.

Mammoth Jones · May 7, 2020

Tya said:
Owning a bump stock is a felony so I'd say a gun owner that has one is irresponsible.

100%. Follow the fucking law.

Atomic Playboy · May 7, 2020

According to the document, Kimpton used false names to buy the items from sellers and retailers from PayPal accounts—and then contested the sale, saying he never got the items. The affidavit said that left Kimpton with the items and the sellers without payment.

How on Earth is paying for guns via PayPal a thing? We need mandatory background checks, not anonymous Internet orders. What the absolute fuck is that?

Stinkles · May 7, 2020

DCBA said:
I read the article and they mentioned that he watched videos about recent massacre in the US which isn't illegal I think.
So I thought there might be students in the US massing guns at home (legally brought) and are also oppsesed with those videos and the government could do nothing about it.

You're correct. Legally people can do that. Ironically the warrant was likely granted because of the PayPal fraud, not the amassing of a huge arsenal.

90 guns & 24,000+ rounds confiscated from college student

Woke up, got a money tag, swears a lot

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