Weapons Accessibility Called Into Question

July 20, 2012 Updated Jul 20, 2012 at 7:09 PM PDT

Steve Collins is an instructor at the Police Science Institute in nortwest Fresno.

He's very familiar with the type of weapons and gear used in last night's shooting in Aurora, Colorado.

He owns similar weapons himself.

He's an instructor.

It's his profession.

"The problem i see is, criminals get this stuff, all these laws get passed so nobody can get it. Now the good folks can't have it."

Collins says it's not hard to acquire a lot of what the suspect used.

James Holmes is accused of using an AK-47, a Smith and Wesson AR-15, 2 pistols, and a Remington pump-action 870.

Reports indicate holmes purchased his gear legally.

Restrictions on purchasing these types of weapons are a little looser in Colorado.

But Collins says, in California, there's a pretty high standard.

You can expect a 10-day waiting list on most purchases, and a background check.

In fact, most states already do the background check.

"You can buy anything. You can go on the internet and buy this crap. You can go off the black market and buy this stuff, it's unfortunate, but it's a fact of life."

Holmes is also accused of having a bullet proof vest, a gas mask and a knife.

Sales on weapons are up for reasons of self defense, home protection, and proposed bans.

Tactical gear is usually restricted to law enforcement or military personnel.

But whatever the reason, whether or not it's legal, Collins says, if someone wants a gun, they're going to get it.

The police science institute wants to remind owners of weapons and tactical gear to keep these items locked up and out of harms way... Especially out of the hands of children.