Screen grabs from the surveillance footage of the Baton Rouge Murderer show the unmistakable outline of a Tavor rifle.
The IWI Tavor is the civilian version of the TAR-21 which was fielded by the Israeli Defense Forces in the early 2000s as an M16/M4 replacement. The TAR-21 would later be replaced by the more compact X95.
The Tavor is a bullpup configured rifle, putting the action of the rifle behind the trigger group. This configuration has some advantages, chiefly a shorter overall length. It also shifts the weight to the rear, which some operators feel makes it easier to handle when shouldered. Bullpup’s do have some shortcomings – reloading is akin to playing a violin, and requires some training. Also, the triggers rarely feel as good as other rifles do to the required extra linkage.
The killer had a Stag rifle in his vehicle and a Glock handgun also.
To my knowledge, this is the first case of a domestic terrorist using a Tavor or any bullpup rifle. Let me know in the comments if you are aware of any others.
Featured photo courtesy of Louisiana State Police via AP
The Orlando shooter used a Sig MCX. This lowlife used a Tavor. I guess even criminals can expand their gun choice.
To be honest I was shocked that they are now choosing guns that are really still not that common. Not like it matters in the death toll, maybe Im weird but myself and several others have noticed it