Indiana ‘blew it’ for not ensuring man had no guns, lawmaker says

INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — An Indiana Democratic lawmaker says the state “blew it” by not enforcing a gun ban against a man who was armed when arrested in California while traveling to a gay pride event.

Twenty-year-old James Wesley Howell was ordered two months ago to forfeit all firearms following a gun incident in Indiana. State Rep. Ed DeLaney said Tuesday it’s unclear whether Howell obtained the three assault rifles found on him in Los Angeles after that judge’s order.

The arrest of Howell, who faces weapons and ammunition charges, came hours after the deadly attack at a gay nightclub in Orlando, Florida.

DeLaney says “every step of the way we blew it” and that he’ll propose legislation banning large ammunition clips and “automatic military-type” weapons.

Howell also faces child molestation charges in Indiana.