Seemed like, from the article & FB, he is doing it as a publicity stunt to show how easy it is to purchase weapons. Thus, with his history, it is not surprising he cleared a check and went on to purchase two firearms.
And if his purpose is to then go around and sell them, that would be illegal since he isn't an FFL. Which I am assuming worse case, the article said he was going to turn them into the PD...whatever that means. All very unorthodox all around.