The criminal complaint against Ryan Wesley Routh, an alleged assassin targeting former President Donald Trump, reveals that he was reportedly in possession of an SKS rifle during his arrest. This information comes from FBI Special Agent Mark A. Thomas’ affidavit, as cited by CNN. The gun discovered in the bushes where Routh was apprehended is described as a “loaded SKS-style 7.62×39 caliber rifle with a scope.
At a press conference following Routh’s arrest, Palm Beach County Sheriff Ric Bradshaw referred to the weapon as an “AK-47 style rifle with a scope.” While both AK and SKS rifles share some resemblance – being Soviet-era guns and utilizing 7.62×39 ammunition – they possess notable differences. For instance, AK-style rifles can be found in automatic or semiautomatic versions, with the former designed for battlefields and the latter intended for civilian use. In contrast, SKS rifles are exclusively semiautomatic.
In addition to Soviet manufacturers, SKS rifles were also produced by Chinese manufacturers. The 7.62×39 round experienced a temporary decline in popularity in the United States as various other rifle rounds gained prominence. However, it has recently seen a resurgence among hunters targeting hogs and predators.
According to NBC News, the federal complaint against Routh states that the serial number on the SKS rifle he allegedly possessed was “obliterated and unreadable to the naked eye.