Attack at White House Correspondents’ Dinner

Cole Thomas Allen, the individual accused of the incident during the White House Correspondents’ Dinner, legally acquired both a handgun and a shotgun in California. This was reported by the Los Angeles Times.

According to officials, these firearms were indeed obtained “legally in California.” Interestingly, it was also noted that Allen has no known criminal background and hadn’t previously caught law enforcement’s attention.

U.S. Attorney Jeanine Pirro mentioned that Allen faces charges for two counts involving the use of a firearm in a violent crime and a distinct charge for assaulting a federal officer with a dangerous weapon. Other potential charges might emerge as the investigation continues.

After the tragic mass shooting on March 1, 2026, in Austin, Texas, there’s been increased focus on the fact that most high-profile shooters since 2007 have acquired their firearms legally, primarily through background checks.

Here’s a brief list of known or suspected attackers who passed the necessary checks to obtain guns:

• Pawtucket, Rhode Island attacker (February 16, 2026)
• Dallas ICE Attacker (September 24, 2025)
• Minneapolis Catholic School Attacker (August 27, 2025)
• UNLV Attacker (December 6, 2023)
• Louisville Old National Bank Raiders (April 10, 2023)
• Nashville Christian School Attacker (March 27, 2023)
• Uvalde School Attacker (May 24, 2022)
• Buffalo grocery store attacker (May 14, 2022)
• Indianapolis FedEx attacker (April 15, 2021)
• Attackers in the Atlanta area (March 16, 2021)
• Parkland High School attacker (February 14, 2018)
• Texas Church Attacker (November 5, 2017)
• Las Vegas Attacker (October 1, 2017)
• Alexandria Attacker (June 14, 2017)
• Orlando attacker (June 12, 2016)
• UCLA Gunman (June 1, 2016)
• San Bernardino Attacker (December 2, 2015)
• Colorado Springs Attacker (October 31, 2015)
• Umpqua Community College Attacker (October 1, 2015)
• Alison Parker’s attacker (August 26, 2015)
• Lafayette movie theater attacker (July 23, 2015)
• Chattanooga Attacker (July 16, 2015)
• Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church attacker (June 17, 2015)
• Attackers of the Muhammad Cartoon Contest (May 3, 2014)
• Las Vegas Police Officer Murder Case (June 9, 2015)
• Santa Barbara Attacker (May 23, 2014)
• Fort Hood Raiders (April 2, 2014)
• Arapahoe High School attacker (December 13, 2013)
• DC Navy Yard Raiders (September 16, 2013)
• Aurora movie theater attacker (July 20, 2012)
• Who attacked Gabby Giffords (January 8, 2011)
• Fort Hood Raiders (November 5, 2009)
• Attackers at Northern Illinois University (February 14, 2008)
• Virginia Tech Attacker (April 16, 2007)