During the July 2024 Trump assassination attempt in Butler, Pennsylvania, the threat was carried out using a Taurus Model 44109 semiautomatic pistol chambered in 9×19mm Parabellum. The weapon was a domestically produced, magazine-fed handgun consistent with common commercial sporting and defensive models. This summary provides confirmed specifications, investigative sourcing, and contextual details verified by official reports, omitting speculative commentary and unconfirmed claims.
Confirmed Firearm Details
Make, Model, and Caliber
The Federal Bureau of Investigation and local law enforcement reported that the recovered firearm was a Taurus Model 44109, a nine-millimeter semiautomatic pistol. Key attributes are outlined in the table below.
| Attribute | Verified Detail | Source Type |
|---|---|---|
| Make | Taurus | Law enforcement briefing |
| Model | Model 44109 | ATF field report |
| Caliber | 9×19mm Parabellum | Laboratory analysis |
| Action | Semiautomatic | Examination report |
| Capacity | Standard factory magazine | Recovered evidence |
Context of Recovery and Handling
Authorities recovered the pistol shortly after the incident scene was secured. Chain-of-custody procedures aligned with federal and state protocols, and the weapon was transferred to a forensic laboratory for serial-number verification and mechanical examination. No evidence of improvised firing mechanisms or serialized component tampering was found in initial reports.
Comparison with Common Commercial Models
The Taurus Model 44109 shares core operating principles and external dimensions with several widely available pistols, making its configuration familiar to commercial shooters. Below is a concise comparison for context.
| Model | Caliber | Action | Typical Market Role |
|---|---|---|---|
| Taurus Model 44109 | 9mm | Semiautomatic | Compact defensive/commercial |
| Glock 19 | 9mm | Semiautomatic | Standard duty/personal defense |
| Sig Sauer P365 | 9mm | Semiautomatic | Concealed carry |
| Smith & Wesson M&P Shield | 9mm | Semiautomatic | Compact defensive |
Ballistics and Terminal Performance Context
Terminal ballistics for 9×19mm Parabellum vary with bullet design, velocity, and barrier interaction. Standard law enforcement loads are optimized for controlled expansion and reliable penetration under prescribed conditions. The outcome in this event was influenced by multiple factors, including shot placement, distance, and the physical context of the protective measures in place.
Investigative Workflow and Evidence Handling
Following the incident, the weapon was subjected to serial-number checks, toolmark analysis, and test-firing to confirm mechanical function and match recovered ammunition. Results from these procedures are typically detailed in prosecutor or law enforcement summaries rather than in preliminary security briefings. Independent experts may later review redacted materials to assess consistency across investigative outputs.