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Authorities stated the gun used within the killing of Charlie Kirk could also be a decades-old, untraceable rifle, authorities have stated.
Prosecutors and officers recognized the gun as a Mauser Model 98 .30-06 caliber bolt-action rifle, a kind initially manufactured in Germany for army use throughout each World Wars. It could predate U.S. legal guidelines enacted in 1968 following President John F. Kennedy’s assassination, which required firearms to hold serial numbers or different figuring out marks — making it tougher for legislation enforcement to hint.
Authorities stated the firearm belonged to the grandfather of Tyler Robinson, the 22-year-old Utah man accused of assassinating Kirk. Police allege Robinson could have intentionally chosen the rifle as a result of it was troublesome to hint.
Robinson himself appeared to echo that reasoning in a message to his roommate simply hours after the assassination.
ENGRAVINGS ON SHOOTER’S AMMO EXPOSES CHARLIE KIRK ASSASSINATION MOTIVE
This break up picture exhibits suspected murderer Tyler James Robinson, left, and sufferer Charlie Kirk, a founding father of Turning Point USA, on the proper. (Gov. Spencer Cox’s workplace; AP Photo/Alex Brandon)
“I’m frightened what my previous man would do if I don’t carry again grandpa’s rifle,” Robinson wrote, in keeping with the New York Post. “IDK if it has a serial quantity but it surely wouldn’t hint to me. I’m frightened about prints, I needed to go away it in a bush the place I modified outfits, didn’t have the flexibility or time to take it with.”
Court paperwork point out that the Utah State Bureau of Investigation discovered DNA on the homicide weapon that officers say is according to Robinson.
KIRK ASSASSIN USED GRANDFATHER’S RIFLE TO COMMIT ACT AND PRAISED GUN AFTERWARDS, AUTHORITIES ALLEGE
The suspected murderer in Charlie Kirk’s killing could have used a untraceable World War-era rifle. (Fox News )
Vintage firearms could complicate future investigations as a result of how simply would-be assassins can acquire such highly effective and hard-to-trace weaponry, with hundreds of thousands believed to be in properties throughout America. After the wars in Europe, numerous American troopers returned dwelling with German-made Mausers. In the next years, Mauser rifles and different related fashions might even be bought by way of mail.
WHAT IS A BOLT ACTION RIFLE? WHAT WE KNOW ABOUT THE GUN USED TO KILL CHARLIE KIRK
A report from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) notes that it’s exceedingly uncommon for such rifles for use in crimes. Most gun violence in America is carried out with pistols, whereas semiautomatic AR-15-style rifles have been utilized in a number of the nation’s deadliest mass shootings.
Charlie Kirk throws hats to the group after arriving at Utah Valley University on Sept.10, 2025, in Orem, Utah. (Trent Nelson/The Salt Lake Tribune/Getty Images)
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ATF and the Federal Bureau of Investigation Salt Lake City didn’t instantly reply to a request for remark from Fox News Digital.
