A Republican state senator in Colorado on Wednesday suggested during a legislative hearing that it might have been a “good thing” that James Holmes had a 100-round magazine with him when he opened fire in an Aurora, Colo. theater in 2012.

According to KDVR, state Sen. Bernie Herpin (R) made the comments during a hearing debating legislation he has proposed that would overturn the state’s new ban on magazines of more than 15 rounds. A measure similar to Herpin’s was voted down on Monday by Democrats in the state’s House.

“My understanding is that James Holmes bought his 100-round capacity magazine legally,” state Sen. Irene Aguilar (D) said to Herpin during the hearing. “So in fact, this law would have stopped James Holmes from purchasing a 100-round magazine. … I just wondered if you agree with me.”

“Perhaps, James Holmes would not have been able to purchase a 100-round magazine,” Herpin said in response. “As it turned out, that was maybe a good thing that he had a 100-round magazine, because it jammed. If he had instead had four, five, six 15-round magazines, no telling how much damage he could have done until a good guy with a gun showed up.”

Herpin was elected in September to replace former state Senate President John Morse, a Democrat who faced a recall following his support of gun control measures.

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