Renting a truck is easy, and tough for authorities to stop

ATLANTA (AP) - The New York City bike path attack had been carried out with a pickup truck that home contractors or do-it-yourself handymen can get with no background check and little worry it will raise red flags among law enforcement.

All it takes is a driver's license, a valid credit card and proof of insurance.

Eight people were killed Tuesday when authorities say a suspect used a Home Depot rental truck to mow down people on the bike path.

A private security consultant said the rentals are a "perfect recipe" to carry out attacks because they are cheap, easy and there's no vetting.

A security and terrorism expert said there's a balancing act though. He says it's difficult to come up with a vetting model that is cost-effective and within the constraints of civil liberties.