AK-47 used in Trump 'assassination bid' is world's assault rifle of choice (original) (raw)
Authorities in Florida seized an AK-47 semi-automatic rifle after an attempted assassination on the former president Donald Trump who was golfing in West Palm Beach at the time
An AK-47 was found alongside a scope near to the scene of the assassination attempt on Sunday
The rifle used in the suspected assassination attempt on Donald Trump is a legal weapon in Florida which is not renowned for accuracy in assassination attempts.
Authorities in Florida seized an AK-47 after the arrest of suspect Ryan Wesley Routh after shots were fired at Trump International Golf Course while the former president was golfing on Sunday. The 78-year-old was unharmed in the incident.
AK-47s are one of the most widely used semi-automatic weapons in the world, and are legal to own with a licence in Florida. Fully automatic models however are only allowed under very specific restrictions.
Originally designed by a Soviet lieutenant, AK-47s are not renowned for target accuracy (
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Getty Images/iStockphoto)
The exact model of the one seized on Sunday has yet to be disclosed. Palm Beach County sheriff Ric Bradshaw said the weapon was found alongside two backpacks, a scope and a GoPro discovered near the golf complex.
But although deadly and widely available across the world, AK-47s are not renowned for for their accuracy. While used in wars across the globe in the eight decades since its invention, there are few assassinations in history where the weapons were used to successfully hit a target.
Tests however show the weapons have a 99% accuracy when aimed correctly at a target around 300 yards away. Trump was reported to have been within 500 yards of the assailant on Sunday.
The attempt was intervened when an eagle-eyed member of the US Secret Service spotted the rifle barrel pointing through a fence while patrolling the golf course. Shots were fired at the suspect sending him running.
Law enforcement personnel investigate the area around Trump International Golf Club after an apparent assassination attempt of former President Donald Trump (
Image:
Getty Images)
Routh, a father originally from North Carolina who purports to be a former Trump voter and pro-Ukraine activist, was later spotted fleeing the scene in a Nissan SUV before being chased and apprehended by officers in neighbouring Martin County. The FBI says it is investigating the incident as an assassination attempt, while Florida has launched its own investigation, governor Ron DeSantis said.
It comes nine weeks after the previous attempt on the Republican candidate's life while at a rally in Butler, Pennsylvania. A shot was fired by Thomas Matthew Crooks at the event, which grazed Trump hitting only his ear. Crooks was gunned down by agents.
AK-47s, short for Avtomat Kalashnikova, was designed by Soviet lieutenant general Mikhail Kalashnikov in 1945 and later supplied to Soviet Army troops. Due to relatively low production costs and reliability in harsh conditions, the rifles are used in conflicts worldwide as well as for personal use.