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Although much is still being investigated about this week’s Washington Navy yard alleged shooter Aaron Alexis, a few facts have emerged that place the shooting firmly within the debate over gun control.

First, although Alexis was reportedly denied from buying an AR 15 Assault rifle, he simply turned to an easily obtainable shotgun which he allegedly used.

And second, he had a history of mental illness and past gun-related brushes with the law, but was still able to legally purchase the gun over the weekend and pass any background checks that may have been required.

Monday’s shooting resulted in 12 deaths of civilians and private contractors at the Navy Yard and is the worst mass shooting in the US in the past nine months, since the Newtown Connecticut school shooting last December.

Gun control legislation went nowhere in the Senate earlier this April, but some activists are hoping that a shooting so close to home for lawmakers may finally prompt action.

GUEST: Josh Horwitz, Executive Director of the Coalition to Stop Gun Violence

Visit www.csgv.org for more information.