Political commentator Charlie Kirk was shot and killed on Sept. 10 during an event at Utah Valley University.
Authorities uncovered a high-powered rifle in the woods and believe it was used against Kirk, USA TODAY reported. The Wall Street Journal and New York Times, citing law-enforcement sources, reported it was an older model Mauser .30-06 caliber bolt-action rifle.
Here’s a look at how bolt-action rifles work and their legality in Illinois.
What is a bolt-action rifle?
Bolt-action rifles require the user to manually reload each time they want to fire. In comparison, semi-automatic rifles use a mechanism to chamber a subsequent round.
The National Rifle Association labeled bolt-action rifles “the quintessential rifle action for military, hunting and target-shooting applications” in a 2023 article. Most of these rifles have an internal magazine holding 3-5 rounds of ammunition, according to the NRA.
Others are reading: Trump orders flags lowered following Charlie Kirk shooting
Are bolt-action rifles legal in Illinois?
Gov. JB Pritzker signed the Protect Illinois Communities Act into law in 2023, requiring individuals possessing assault weapons, high-capacity magazines and other devices listed in the Act to submit an endorsement affidavit through their Firearm Owner’s Identification Card account.
Bolt-action rifles are not covered under the Act, however, according to the Illinois State Police.
“Pursuant to 720 ILCS 5/24-1.9, an ‘assault weapon’ does not include a firearm that is manually operated by bolt, pump, lever or slide action, unless the firearm is a shotgun with a revolving cylinder,” the website says. “This is true even if, as manufactured, the bolt, pump, lever or slide action firearm has features that if removed would constitute assault weapon attachments.”
An endorsement would only be required if the bolt was removed from an attachment, and the attachment met the criteria for an “assault weapon attachment.”
Who shot Charlie Kirk? Suspect in custody
Earlier in the week, the FBI released photos of a person of interest.
The suspect “blended in well with a college institution” and appeared to be of college age, according to Utah Department of Public Safety Commissioner Beau Mason. The individual was seen on video jumping from a rooftop and running off campus.
On Friday, authorities said the suspect was identified as Tyler Robinson. He was taken into custody after a family member contacted a family friend, who told authorities Robinson had “confessed to them or implied that he committed the incident,” according to Utah Gov. Spencer Cox.
Melissa Galbraith, Will Carless, Thao Nguyen, Josh Meyer, Jeanine Santucci, Nick Penzenstadler and Davis Winkie contributed to this article.
This story has been updated to include new information.
This article originally appeared on Journal Star: What is a bolt-action rifle? About legality of weapon uncovered near scene of Kirk shooting
Reporting by Hannah Hudnall, USA TODAY NETWORK / Journal Star
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
