Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump was unharmed during a potential assassination attempt while golfing in West Palm Beach, Florida. The Secret Service foiled the attempt after spotting a rifle aimed at Trump from a nearby property. The suspect, Ryan Routh, fled the scene but was later arrested, leaving behind an AK-47-style assault rifle and other items. The rifle was later identified as a Soviet SKS rifle, not an AK-47 as initially reported. This weapon is similar to the AK but has a fixed magazine instead of a detachable one. Firearms experts noted that using an SKS for an assassination attempt was an unusual choice. The SKS was also used in the 2017 Congressional baseball game shooting that injured several people. Gun lobby groups pointed out that the SKS would not be covered by an assault weapons ban as it lacks certain features targeted by such legislation. Despite the attempted attack, Trump was unharmed and the suspect is in custody.
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Experts: Rifle in Trump assassination attempt resembles Soviet-style weapon
