Well, that was fast.  

Three days after 20-year-old Thomas Matthew Crooks murdered Corey Comperatore and tried to assassinate Donald Trump, USA Today published a lengthy article about the weapon used by Crooks.  

The article begins by linking Trump to the rifle used by the gunman. The manufacturer is DPMS which stands for: Defense Procurement Manufacturing Services:  

That brand is now owned by the parent of South Carolina-based Palmetto State Armory, which Trump himself visited during a campaign stop in 2023 — taking photos with the owner and admiring a Glock handgun with his face engraved in the grip. 

The author then points out that Trump had started the purchase of the handgun, but Trump’s team indicated that he stopped short of buying the firearm because he was under indictment and it was therefore “illegal” for Trump to purchase. Although a federal judge in Texas found that a person under indictment can purchase a gun and that such a ban is unconstitutional, the constitutionality of banning a gun purchase by a person indicted -- but not convicted -- seems to be an open question.  

In any case, Trump is linked to the gun maker within the first three paragraphs and the outlet notes that Trump tried to purchase a weapon that he wasn’t allowed to buy because he was under felony indictment.

The remainder of the article then delves into the history of the Defense Procurement Manufacturing Services, and how it was bought and sold and is now owned by a company named JJE Capital. USA Today contacted JJE Capital, and its spokesperson felt it necessary to point out it didn’t make the rifle used by Crooks.

"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."   

The article adds that a number of states have banned “AR- Assault style weapons" and ends with this:  

Palmetto State Armory and DPMS posted on social media recently that they had filed amicus briefs to the U.S. Supreme Court defending the use of bump stocks.

Gun violence prevention groups like Everytown groups on the Trump shooter's gun apparent tie to Palmetto State Armory this week.

“When the gun lobby and gun industry act with impunity, no one — not even the former president — is safe," said Nick Suplina, senior vice president of law and policy at Everytown. "Palmetto State Armory has admitted that its goal is to make assault weapons commonplace in America, even though we know that a ‘guns everywhere’ agenda puts our communities at risk, as demonstrated by the shooting at the Trump rally last weekend."

In a related article, the same author tracked down Matt Carriker, the owner of Demolition Ranch. Crooks was wearing one of Carriker’s shirts, so USA Today wanted a comment. It got one.   

“We don’t vet the people who buys our shirts. ... I wish I could, I would love keep people like that from buying, wearing, being associated with that article of clothing," Carriker said in his video. “The difference in a gunman wearing a pair of Nike shoes and a gunman wearing my T-shirt is this brand is much more personal to me. ... To see my name next to the shooter’s name, it sucks, and I wish we could keep that from happening.” 

People angry with Demolition Ranch and Carriker have jumped the fence surrounding Carriker's home. He’s greeted the unwanted intruders with a weapon in hand.  

“We’ve had people drive to our house, jump our gate, walk down to our house and knock on the door,” Carriker said. “They get answered with me with a gun. It hasn’t ended well for anyone who has done that.” 

It didn’t take long. Trump visited gun maker. Trump likes guns. Trump supports gun rights. Trump is at fault.