He used the Bushmaster .223 semi-automatic rifle in the killings. He also had 2 semi-automatic pistols with him, which he did not use to kill others. The rifle would not have been considered an 'assault weapon' under the ban that expired in 2004, and was not considered an 'assault weapon' under Connecticut law. Renewing the AWB in its existing form will do nothing to stop more shootings like this from happening.