The Glock 19 is a 9mm Luger, (9x19mm). Standard bullet weights are 115 or 124 grain. The type of wounds described seen to indicate full metal jacket bullets which probably saved Congresswoman Gifford, but caused multiple other injuries because the bullet travels further. The 9mm Luger is a fast bullet, it is not a "massive" bullet. Fast and small = penetration, not expansion. There certainly was no need for the media to describe any more detail about the exact ammunition he used, however if he had used a highly efficient bullet, (expanding self defense type), I'm sure the media would have taken the opportunity to malign not only the gun but the ammunition.
It's good that someone didn't open up on Loughner, we didn't need a concealed carry holder shooting into a crowd of people. Shooting in a crowd of people is something even experts with specialized ammunition avoid.
This guy should have never been able to buy a gun from a dealer, the background check should have nullified his right to buy. That being said he could have obtained a handgun through a different source, the same way garden variety criminals and gang bangers get theirs. Laws only keep law abiding people from disobeying the law. As soon as the shooting in Arizona happened I knew there would be another cry for more laws, bans, and limits. The obama administration proudly states that they never waste a crisis.