LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Joseph A. Couch, 32, was named a suspect in Saturday’s shootings on Interstate 75 near London, Kentucky, after authorities said they found his SUV on a service road near the crime scene.
They later found an AR-15 nearby they believe Couch used in the shooting, said Dep. Gilbert Acciardo, a spokesperson for the Laurel County Sheriff’s Office.
In a media briefing Sunday night, Captain Richard Dalrymple with the LCSO confirmed Couch legally purchased the AR-15 from a shop in London, Kentucky, hours before the shooting on Saturday.
Authorities also revealed Couch has a military background and served in the Army reserve for four years.
So, what are the laws around purchasing a gun in Kentucky?
Kentucky has some of the least restrictive gun laws in the United States. The Commonwealth is an open carry state, meaning there are no laws requiring a permit to purchase or carry a gun in Kentucky.
Deputies recovered multiple rounds of ammunition and said Couch purchased 1,000 rounds Saturday along with the gun.
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Kentucky does not mandate waiting periods on gun purchases, nor require proper training on handling a gun. There are no caps on the amount of ammunition you can buy, or the type of gun you can buy.
"Red flag" laws, found in more than a dozen states, allow courts to temporarily remove firearms from the possession of those deemed a threat to themselves or others. Kentucky has no such laws.
On Monday, ABC News reported Couch was arrested in 2023 and charged with making terroristic threats -- a misdemeanor -- in Knox County. He allegedly pointed an AR-15 at someone in that incident.
You are also not required to register your firearm in Kentucky. There are no restrictions on high capacity magazines or bump stocks.
Kentucky prohibits gun possession by people with:
- Felony convictions.
- Fugitive from justice status.
- Hate crime convictions.
- Mental health issues.
- Assault or other violent misdemeanor convictions.
- Domestic abuse convictions.
- Domestic abuse while subject to restraining orders.
On Sunday, deputies said the incident appears to be a random act of violence and may have been planned. They believe Couch may have acted alone.
Police halted their search Sunday as nightfall set in due to the rough, unforgiving terrain. However, there will be 20 units patrolling the area through the night even though searches in the wooded area stop between sunset and sunrise.
The search has also left the community on edge. Laurel County Public Schools canceled classes for Monday.
The bigger mystery still stands. Why did Couch randomly shoot people on the interstate
Police didn’t have an answer and would not speculate on a possible motive.
If you want to learn more about gun laws in Kentucky, you can look at this PDF.
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