On Saturday, a tragic incident unfolded as former President Trump was shot by an assailant wielding a DPMS-brand AR rifle, a firearm reportedly purchased by the shooter’s father. This brand, now under the ownership of the parent company of South Carolina-based Palmetto State Armory, has a storied history intersecting with Trump himself, who visited the armory during a 2023 campaign stop.
During his visit, Trump posed for photos with the owner and admired a Glock handgun featuring his face engraved on the grip. Initially, a spokesman for Trump stated that he had purchased the gun, which would have been illegal due to his indictment at the time. However, the spokesman later clarified that Trump had not completed the purchase.
Background of DPMS and Its Connection to Previous Incidents
DPMS and Its Origins
DPMS, which stands for Defense Procurement Manufacturing Services, was founded in 1985 by Randy Luth as a defense contractor. The company, based in St. Cloud, Minnesota, quickly grew into a significant manufacturer of AR parts and eventually developed the Panther Arms brand of firearms. The DPMS AR rifle gained notoriety as one of the weapons used in the 2015 San Bernardino terrorist attack, where a married extremist couple killed 14 people and injured 22 others at a Christmas party.
The Weapon Used in the Shooting
The specific details about the rifle used in Saturday’s shooting are still emerging as the FBI examines the weapon. However, it is known that a similar DPMS AR chambered to shoot 5.56 ammunition was involved. Weapons experts have debated the effectiveness of the AR rifle for long-range shooting, especially given that the shooter was positioned on a rooftop approximately 150 yards away from Trump’s podium.
The Shooter’s Position and Weapon Effectiveness
Expert Opinions
Former Navy SEAL sniper and author Brandon Webb commented on the shooter’s choice of weapon and position. According to Webb, a well-trained shooter could have achieved much higher accuracy. “At 200 yards, anyone trained on a rifle can shoot a golf ball repeatedly and a trained sniper knows this is an easy headshot, a tap-in golf putt, even with iron sights,” Webb noted in his after-action report.
Rifle Characteristics
The AR rifle used in the incident is described as “nothing special” by federal officials. These rifles, which have a standard look and shooting characteristics, boast an average muzzle velocity of around 2,800 feet per second—nearly three times the speed of sound. The bullets produce a sound akin to snaps or miniature sonic booms when they fly nearby. The rifles are approximately 32 inches long, including the stock, and weigh about 6.8 pounds. They are typically replicas of the Army’s M4 in semi-automatic form, characterized by being lightweight, gas-operated, air-cooled, and magazine-fed.
Historical and Recent Developments in DPMS Ownership
Ownership Changes
Since its inception, DPMS has gone through several ownership changes. Randy Luth sold the company to the Freedom Group, a consortium of firearms manufacturers owned by private equity firm Cerberus, in 2007. This group later combined with Remington Outdoor Company, which subsequently went through bankruptcy and faced a massive lawsuit filed by the Sandy Hook shooting families.
In 2020, during Remington’s bankruptcy auction, DPMS was acquired by JJE Capital Holdings, owned by Jamin McCallum. JJE Capital’s flagship brand is Palmetto State Armory, based in South Carolina. John Roberts, the chief legal officer at JJE Capital, confirmed that the firearm used in the Trump shooting was likely manufactured before the change in ownership.
Public Statements and Legal Context
Roberts emphasized that neither JJE Capital nor its affiliated entities manufactured or sold the firearm in question. “JJE Capital did not manufacture or sell the firearm allegedly used and neither JJE Capital nor any of its affiliated entities own or have any direct or indirect affiliation with the manufacturer of that firearm,” Roberts wrote to USA TODAY. “Like the rest of the nation, we condemn this senseless act of violence, and we are praying for President Trump, the other victims, and their families.”
Legislative Efforts and Public Reaction
Legislative Efforts to Ban Semi-Automatic Rifles
In recent years, Democrats in Colorado have attempted to ban semi-automatic rifles, including various AK and AR variants, such as DPMS tactical rifles. The Illinois assault weapons ban also specifically targets DPMS rifles, and in July, the U.S. Supreme Court rejected a challenge to this ban. Currently, ten states and the District of Columbia have some form of assault-style weapons ban, while others limit large-capacity magazines.
Public and Organizational Reactions
Palmetto State Armory and DPMS have been active in the legal landscape, recently filing amicus briefs to the U.S. Supreme Court defending the use of bump stocks. Gun violence prevention groups, such as Everytown, have pointed to the Trump shooter’s weapon’s ties to Palmetto State Armory as indicative of broader issues. Nick Suplina, senior vice president of law and policy at Everytown, remarked, “When the gun lobby and gun industry act with impunity, no one—not even the former president—is safe.”
Expert Analyses on the Shooting Incident
Ammunition and Environmental Factors
Brandon Webb speculated that the 5.56 x 45 mm NATO ammunition used by the shooter was highly susceptible to environmental variations, such as wind and humidity. “If the shooter sighted in the rifle in the spring and shot in the summer, the bullet impact could be up or down, left or right by two to three inches because of the hotter temps and faster velocity of the round,” Webb explained. This variability may have contributed to the shooter missing Trump.
Additional Expert Insights
Guy McCardle, an Army veteran, suggested that a combination of factors, including poor marksmanship, nerves, heat, and the prone firing position, likely contributed to the shooter’s inaccuracy. “If the shot would have hit the former President in the temple area, the results would have most likely been fatal,” McCardle noted. However, he pointed out that snipers generally aim for the center of mass rather than the head due to its smaller size and constant movement.
FAQs
What is DPMS?
DPMS stands for Defense Procurement Manufacturing Services, a company founded in 1985 that manufactures AR parts and firearms.
Who owns DPMS now?
DPMS is currently owned by JJE Capital Holdings, which also owns Palmetto State Armory.
What type of rifle was used in the Trump shooting?
The shooter used a DPMS-brand AR rifle chambered to shoot 5.56 ammunition.
How effective is a DPMS AR rifle for long-range shooting?
Experts suggest that while the DPMS AR rifle can be accurate, environmental factors and the shooter’s skill level significantly impact its effectiveness at long ranges.
Are semi-automatic rifles like the DPMS AR banned anywhere?
Yes, ten states and the District of Columbia have bans on certain types of assault-style weapons, including semi-automatic rifles like the DPMS AR.
Conclusion
The shooting incident involving former President Trump has brought renewed scrutiny to the ownership and regulation of semi-automatic rifles like those produced by DPMS. With a complex history of ownership and a notable presence in previous violent incidents, the brand continues to be at the center of national debates on gun control. As investigations continue, the interplay of legislative efforts, public reactions, and expert analyses will shape the ongoing discourse around firearm safety and regulation in the United States.
