The recent shooting incident involving former President Trump has brought attention to the DPMS-brand AR rifle used by the shooter. The rifle, purchased by the shooter’s father, is now owned by the parent company of Palmetto State Armory, a South Carolina-based firearms company that Trump himself visited during a campaign stop in 2023.
During his visit to Palmetto State Armory, Trump was photographed with the owner and admired a Glock handgun with his face engraved in the grip. At the time, a Trump spokesman stated that the former president purchased the gun, but later clarified that Trump did not complete the transaction due to being under indictment.
The DPMS AR rifle used in the shooting has drawn comparisons to a similar rifle used in the 2015 San Bernardino terrorism attack. The FBI is currently examining the weapon, and details about its origins have been slow to emerge.
Experts have noted that the AR rifle used in the shooting may not have been the best choice for long-range shooting, as the shooter was approximately 150 yards away from Trump. Former Navy SEAL sniper Brandon Webb stated that a well-trained shooter would have been much more accurate in that situation.
The DPMS AR rifle is a lightweight, gas-operated, magazine-fed weapon with an average muzzle velocity of around 2,800 feet per second. The rifle has a long history, with ownership changing hands multiple times in recent years.
Gun violence prevention groups have raised concerns about the shooter’s apparent tie to Palmetto State Armory and the use of assault-style weapons. Democrats in some states have attempted to ban semi-automatic rifles like the DPMS tactical rifles, and the U.S. Supreme Court recently rejected a challenge to an assault weapons ban in Illinois that specifically mentioned DPMS rifles.
Experts have speculated on why the shooter missed Trump, citing factors such as variations in wind and humidity affecting the trajectory of the bullets. Despite the shooter’s proximity to Trump, a combination of poor marksmanship, nerves, and other factors likely contributed to the missed shots.
Overall, the incident has sparked discussions about gun control, the use of assault-style weapons, and the implications of firearms ownership in the United States.