It was revealed by police on Friday that Derrick Bird, the English taxi driver who killed 12 people before taking his own life, used a rifle and shotgun he owned legally.

The Times of London has reported that Bird was convicted of stealing from a former employer in 1990 and given a suspended sentence. His criminal record could have been grounds for denying him a firearms license, but he received one in 1995.

There was no reason to refuse Bird a firearm permit since his crime was non-violent and relatively minor, and he was not mentally ill, suggested Detective Chief Superintendent Iain Goulding.

The 52 years old Bird, began his shooting spree on Wednesday by killing his twin brother on his farm in Cumbria in northwest England. By the time he took his own life in a wooded area in Eskdale 11 more people were dead and
11 wounded.

According to the further reports, Prime Minister David Cameron and Home Secretary Theresa May visited the area Friday and spent time with some of the wounded. May said the government will not consider changing firearms regulations until the investigation has been completed and more is known about Bird's motive and history.

She further said, "When there are lessons to be learnt, we will learn them, and when there are changes to be made, we will make them." (With Inputs from Agencies)