The CEO of Gun City has clashed with media over gun control at a press conference in Christchurch on Monday afternoon.
David Tipple says his company did sell the alleged gunman four A-category firearms and ammunition between November 2017 and March 2018, but says they detected nothing extraordinary about the license holder.
Tipple repeatedly told media he would not turn the press conference into a gun debate, threatening to leave if questions strayed too close.
He told media he would only stop selling AR-15's if he was required to by law.
He also said that yes, he believes it was appropriate to keep his Christchurch Gun Store open the day after the attack.
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When asked if he would close the store at the request of the families, Tipple had a cryptic answer.
"I had my grandson ask me 'granddad why would people say guns are the problem? The guy was crazy.' He's six," he replied.
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Despite selling the alleged shooter four weapons, Tipple says his company did not sell the gun used in the attack.
"I watched the video, I saw the rifle and I know for sure where it came from, if it has a serial number I expect and it is not affiliated with any Gun City store," said Tipple.
Tipple also dodged a question about the sale of ammunition to David Gray before the Aramoana massacre
"Are you really asking about something that happened 30 years ago?" he shot back.
When asked if he thought guns were a problem, he snapped at media, asking "Is that a gun debate question?'
He then told the journalist he wasn't allowed to ask any more questions and tried to leave the press conference.
However, he did stay to talk about the alleged gunman's motive, and use it to reinforce why he will not stop believing in guns.
"This man wrote in his manifesto that the purpose of using a fire arm was to divide us; if we allow him to make changes in our ideology and our behaviour then he's won."
Newshub.
