( CNN ) -- An Arizona gun store says it has canceled a recent purchase of an AR-15 semiautomatic rifle by Mark Kelly thwarting the retired astronaut 's attempt to demonstrate how easy it is to buy high-powered weapons . Kelly , the husband of former Rep. Gabby Giffords and an outspoken advocate for new gun control measures , had in recent interviews said he was buying the rifle to showcase what he said are unobtrusive background checks . Kelly : Gun loophole makes no sense . Doug MacKinlay , owner of Diamondback Police Supply , said it was Kelly 's statements that caused him to stop the sale . `` I determined that it was in my company 's best interest to terminate this transaction prior to his returning to my store to complete the Federal Form 4473 and NICS ( National Instant Criminal Background Check System ) required of Mr. Kelly before he could take possession of this firearm , '' MacKinlay posted on the Tuscon store 's Facebook page Monday . Gabby and Mark : The new 'Bradys ' of gun control . MacKinlay said he sent a full refund to Kelly and nixed the transaction because Kelly made statements in the media that the rifle purchase was `` for reasons other then ( sic ) for his personal use . '' Kelly could not immediately be reached for comment Tuesday . The AR-15 is one of America 's top-selling firearms , and has become a focus of the gun control debate after being used in a recent spate of mass shootings . One was used in the December massacre at a Connecticut elementary school . Advocates for tighter gun laws argue there 's no need for Americans to own the powerful rifle , but the gun 's proponents say the AR-15 's accuracy makes it safe . Kelly said on CNN 's `` The Situation Room with Wolf Blitzer , '' that it was `` important for me to have firsthand knowledge about how easy it is or difficult it is to buy a weapon like that . '' Intern 's memoir recalls Giffords shooting . Later on in the March 11 interview Kelly said `` It is actually pretty easy . You know , for a weapon that 's so deadly and really designed for the military , especially with the high-capacity magazines , it is a pretty easy thing to do , even with a background check . '' Kelly has become a fierce gun control advocate after Giffords , his wife , was wounded in a 2011 Arizona shooting . Giffords was shot in the head in the Tucson shooting rampage that left six dead . Gun focus shifts from ban to checks and trafficking .
Arizona gun store says it has refunded the money . Kelly is the husband of former Rep. Gabby Giffords . Score: 6