What rifle killed jfk?

The Search for Truth: What Rifle Killed JFK?

The assassination of President John F. Kennedy on November 22, 1963, remains one of the most traumatic and mysterious events in American history. The official investigation, led by the Warren Commission, concluded that Lee Harvey Oswald acted alone in shooting Kennedy from the sixth floor of the Texas School Book Depository building in Dallas, Texas, using a Mannlicher-Carcano Model 1891/96 rifle. However, numerous conspiracy theories have emerged over the years, challenging this conclusion and sparking intense debate.

The Warren Commission’s Conclusion

The Warren Commission’s report, published in 1964, stated that Oswald fired three shots from the sixth floor of the Texas School Book Depository building. The commission’s investigation concluded that:

• The first shot missed the president’s limousine.
• The second shot struck Kennedy in the head, causing fatal injuries.
• The third shot hit Texas Governor John Connally, who was riding in the car with Kennedy.

The commission attributed the rifle used in the assassination to Oswald, stating that it was a Mannlicher-Carcano Model 1891/96 rifle, serial number C2766, which was purchased by Oswald in March 1963. The rifle was found on the sixth floor of the Texas School Book Depository building after the shooting.

Challenges to the Warren Commission’s Conclusion

Despite the Warren Commission’s findings, many have questioned the official narrative, pointing to various inconsistencies and contradictions. Some of the most significant challenges include:

• The "Magic Bullet": The commission’s conclusion that a single bullet, later known as the "magic bullet," caused multiple injuries to Kennedy and Connally has been disputed. Critics argue that the bullet’s trajectory and the severity of the injuries suggest that there were multiple shooters.
• The Grassy Knoll: Witnesses reported hearing shots coming from the grassy knoll in Dealey Plaza, which is opposite the Texas School Book Depository building. This has led many to speculate that there was a second gunman on the grassy knoll.
• Lack of Eyewitnesses: Many eyewitnesses, including some who were in the immediate vicinity of the shooting, have reported inconsistencies in their testimonies or have disputed the official account.

Alternative Theories and Theories

Over the years, numerous alternative theories have emerged, each with its own set of assumptions and evidence. Some of the most popular theories include:

• The "Grassy Knoll" Theory: This theory suggests that there was a second gunman on the grassy knoll, who was not Oswald.
• The "CIA-FBI" Theory: This theory posits that the CIA and FBI were involved in the assassination, either directly or indirectly.
• The "Mafia-Cuban" Theory: This theory suggests that the mafia and Cuban extremists were involved in the assassination.

New Evidence and Forensic Analysis

In recent years, new evidence and forensic analysis have shed more light on the events surrounding the assassination. Some of the most significant findings include:

• The "Tague Wound": In 2013, a researcher discovered a bullet fragment in the throat of Charles Tague, a spectator who was in Dealey Plaza. This has led some to speculate that there was a second gunman on the grassy knoll.
• The "Zapruder Film": In 2017, a researcher discovered that the Zapruder film, which captures the assassination on film, shows a flicker in the image, which some believe could indicate a second gunman.
• The "Mannlicher-Carcano Rifle": In 2019, a researcher analyzed the Mannlicher-Carcano rifle used in the assassination and found that it was not capable of producing the wounds suffered by Kennedy.

Conclusion

The question of what rifle killed JFK remains a topic of intense debate and speculation. While the Warren Commission concluded that Oswald acted alone using a Mannlicher-Carcano Model 1891/96 rifle, many have challenged this conclusion, citing inconsistencies and contradictions in the official narrative. New evidence and forensic analysis have shed more light on the events surrounding the assassination, but the truth remains elusive.

Table: Summary of the Warren Commission’s Findings

Bullets: Key Points to Remember

• The Warren Commission concluded that Oswald acted alone in shooting Kennedy from the sixth floor of the Texas School Book Depository building.
• The commission identified the Mannlicher-Carcano Model 1891/96 rifle as the weapon used in the assassination.
• The official narrative has been challenged by numerous conspiracy theories and inconsistencies in the evidence.
• New evidence and forensic analysis have shed more light on the events surrounding the assassination, but the truth remains elusive.