NAS Pensacola gunman legally purchased 9mm Glock 45 used in shooting

Kevin Robinson | Pensacola News Journal

The handgun a Saudi aviation trainee used to kill three people and wound eight others at Naval Air Station Pensacola was purchased lawfully in Florida, according to the FBI.

Rachel Rojas, special agent in charge of the Jacksonville Field Office, confirmed that fact during a press conference at Escambia County's Emergency Operations Center on Sunday.

Rojas said the weapon used in the attack was a 9mm Glock 45 pistol, and that the shooter "did purchase it legally and lawfully" through a process that was open to "not just him, but any foreign national."

At the press conference, Rojas confirmed the gunman purchased the firearm in Florida, but declined to give specific details about when and where. Rojas referred the public to the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives' website for additional information on the regulations that permit foreign nationals to buy guns on U.S soil.

Gov. Ron DeSantis, speaking at a separate press conference a few hours later, said he had been unaware that there were laws that allowed anyone other than foreign law enforcement officers to possess or purchase firearms.

"That’s a federal loophole that he took advantage of," DeSantis said of the shooter. "I’m a big supporter of the Second Amendment, but the Second Amendment applies so that we the American people can keep and bear arms. It does not apply to Saudi Arabians."

The governor said he would be encouraging President Donald Trump and other federal decision makers to change policies allowing foreign nationals to arm themselves.

Watch: FBI gives update on the deadly shooting at Naval Air Station Pensacola The FBI held a press conference at 11 a.m. Sunday where the bureau said there is no credible threat to Pensacola, all international students on base accounted for.

When foreign nationals can purchase guns

Under U.S.code, foreign nationals who have been lawfully admitted to the U.S. can purchase and possess a gun under a few specific conditions:

If they were admitted to the U.S. for lawful hunting or sporting purposes, or if they are in possession of a U.S.-issued hunting license or permit

If they are an official representative of a foreign government who is accredited with the U.S. government; if they are accredited with a government-partnered international organization headquartered in the U.S.; or if they are in transit to or from a country where they are accredited

If they are an official of a foreign government or a distinguished foreign visitor as designated by the U.S. Department of State

If they are a foreign law enforcement officer of a friendly foreign government entering the U.S. on official law enforcement business

There is also a process where a foreign national can petition the U.S attorney general directly for a waiver that allows them to possess a gun.

It is unclear exactly what criteria allowed the Pensacola gunman to purchase a firearm, but he was a member of the Royal Saudi Air Force who was credentialed with the U.S. through an aviation training program.

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The shooter was killed in a exchange of gunfire that also wounded two Escambia County Sheriff's Office deputies.

The Glock 45 he used comes standard with a 17-round magazine capacity, according to Glock's website.

Local, state and national officials have credited the quick actions of local law enforcement officers, Navy security forces and shooting victims and survivors with saving many lives.

Kevin Robinson can be reached at krobinson4@pnj.com or 850-435-8527.