Schumer: Gun laws lacking with Fort Hood suspect

NEW YORK (AP) -- Sen. Charles Schumer says a hole in federal gun laws allowed the man charged with a shooting rampage in Fort Hood, Texas to purchase a gun.

Army psychiatrist Maj. Nidal Malik Hasan has been charged with the shooting spree that left 13 dead.

Hasan purchased a gun at a store in Texas in August even though the Joint Terrorism Task Force had investigated him for possible terrorist ties.

Authorities had taken a look at Hasan after intercepting messages between Hasan and a radical imam overseas. The inquiry was closed sometime in early 2009.

Schumer says that should have been enough to raise a red flag when Hasan tried to buy a gun. He says Hasan should not have passed the background check.

(Copyright 2009 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)

APNP-11-15-09 1225EST