The Boulder Firebomb Attack: A Reminder That Evil Finds a Way
On June 1st, a would-be mass killer attacked a pro-Israel rally in Boulder, Colorado, using Molotov cocktails and a makeshift flamethrower. According to law enforcement and court documents, the attacker had originally planned to use a firearm but was denied at the point of sale, not due to a criminal record or red flag alert, but simply because he was not a U.S. citizen.
Image sourced from YouTube
This detail is worth examining—not to praise the system, but to expose its limitations.
The System “Worked”… Barely
The National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS) blocked the gun sale because the individual was a foreign national without legal status to possess a firearm. That was the only reason.
Had he been a U.S. citizen with the same personal history—no disqualifying convictions, no restraining orders, no institutionalizations—he would have passed the background check with ease. There was nothing about his behavior on record that would have triggered the system.
And that's the point.
When the System “Works,” It’s Usually a Fluke
History shows that the overwhelming majority of mass murderers buy their firearms legally. As we’ve documented before in this article—Do Background Checks Stop Mass Shooters?—the vast majority of mass shooters pass background checks because they don't have prior records. They are often “first-time offenders” whose evil plans unfold without any warning that would trigger NICS or similar safeguards.
And in the rare case that someone is denied a gun purchase? They don’t stop. They steal a gun from a family member. Or, as in this case, they build homemade weapons. Or they use a car. Or a knife. Or a bomb.
Bad people find a way.
It’s Not About the Tool—It’s About the Determination
Image sourced from YouTube
Some will say that if the attacker had used a gun, the outcome would have been worse, and they may be right. But let’s not ignore the broader truth: a more effective explosive or incendiary device could have caused just as much, if not more, devastation. Does anyone think that if the OKC bomber had used a gun, he would have done more damage?
Improvised weapons, when built with time and intent, can be deadly. We’ve seen this in countless attacks around the world where firebombs, pressure cookers, vehicles, and other non-firearm tools have been used to cause mass casualties. The difference isn’t in the weapon—it’s in the determination of the attacker.
This individual had spent over a year planning, seemingly with most of that time working toward a firearm-related attack. He researched, prepared, and adapted when the firearm option didn’t work out. That’s the real threat. When someone is committed to hurting others, they don’t stop because one door is closed. They find another.
That’s why we must stay focused on identifying threats early, building resilient communities, and empowering individuals to defend themselves and others, not just regulating the tools used in violence.
The real lesson to be learned here, as it relates to guns, is that nobody was able and willing to step in and stop this attacker. Plenty of people were willing to film him and share the video online… but draw a defensive handgun and save lives… not so much.
The Background Check Myth
Gun control advocates are already seizing on this event to claim, “See? Background checks work!”
That’s disingenuous.
The system didn’t identify a dangerous person. It didn’t prevent a tragedy. It simply caught a technicality: the attacker wasn’t eligible to buy a gun because of their immigration status. If that checkbox had been different, the sale would have gone through—no questions asked.
This isn't a success story. It’s a warning.
Universal background checks, red flag laws, and “permit to purchase” schemes are often sold as solutions to violence, but the data tells a different story. We are repeatedly reminded that laws alone can’t stop evil. When someone is determined to hurt others, they will find a method.
Conclusion: It's Not About the Tool—It's About the Intent
This incident proves once again that evil doesn’t wait for permission. And when one door closes, the determined find another way in.
That’s why the focus of our efforts should be broader than just controlling tools. We need to promote vigilance, training, and self-reliance. We need to teach our communities how to respond when violence erupts—not just hope it never does.
Because, as this case shows, we can’t regulate our way out of evil.
Want to be better prepared? Understanding how to spot pre-attack indicators is just as important as knowing how to respond. Check out our article on building a defensive mindset.
One last thought before I let you go. In these mass violence attacks, in addition to being able to stop the attacker, are you prepared to render aid to those who get injured in the attack? Check out our “pocket” trauma kit, The Greybull, which will fit in your cargo pocket anywhere you go!
