The weapons seen at the White House Correspondents Dinner shooting

On Apr. 25, 2026, the annual White House Correspondents’ Association Dinner was cut short when Cole Allen allegedly decided to demonstrate his 40-yard dash.

A guest of the Washington Hilton, the Secret Service says Allen arrived with his weapons by train, checked into the hotel, and made his way to the White House Correspondents Dinner with a “long gun,” 45 minutes after the President and First Lady arrived. He then allegedly blew through a Secret Service checkpoint and exchanged fire with agents.

Not realizing that the NFL Combine was held two months earlier and over 500 miles away from D.C., Allen was shot and arrested by law enforcement officers. With plenty of media around, we got a good look at some interesting weapons used by different law enforcement agencies—as well as those used by Allen himself.

1. Knights Armament SR-16

The most prominent long gun at the dinner was undoubtedly the Knights Armament SR-16s fielded by the Secret Service Counter Assault Team. A LARPer’s wet dream, these operators came out from behind the curtain dripping in taxpayer dollars to aura farm on stage.

The KAC rifle and HUXWRX suppressor is easily a $4,000-plus package on the commercial market. Add on the L3 NGAL laser, Surefire Scout light, and a Nightforce scope or Aimpoint red dot and magnifier combo, and you’ve got a setup worth well more than a table at the dinner.

2. H&K MP7

Perhaps the Gucciest of all the firearms on scene was the Teutonic machine pistol from Oberndorf. Chambered in 4.6x30mm, you wouldn’t be able to shoot it if you could afford to buy one. Not that you can buy one… yet. H&K, please hurry with that SP7.

Designed to equip rear echelon NATO troops with a more capable weapon than a handgun, the MP7 has become a favorite of elite law enforcement and special operations forces around the world. Though the 4.6mm cartridge is capable of penetrating armor, the round has reduced terminal effectiveness compared to proper rifle rounds.

Still, the weapon’s handiness and concealability make it an excellent choice for a protective detail. The agent is likely FBI based on his badge and the Bureau’s use of the MP7.

3. Glock 43X

A law enforcement officer with a Glock is like a soldier with Oakleys: everywhere. But seeing a subcompact like the 43X drawn on duty is a rarer sight.

Slimmer than mainline Glocks, the 43X previously came standard with a 10-round, single-stack magazine. However, with old man Glock gone, the company diverged from its tradition of only using metal-lined, polymer magazines and introduced Glock brand metal magazines that upped the 43X’s capacity to 15.

It’s the optic on this 43X that’s arguably more interesting. The Holosun EPS Carry is an enclosed micro pistol red dot that has become insanely popular in the concealed carry market for its size, durability, and price. While it’s not entirely a surprise to see one on a duty weapon, the fact that it’s made in China might make President Trump unhappy.

4. SIG Sauer P320

A slick SIG P320, with no optic and no light, in Flat Dark Earth, was seen in the hands of a (likely) Army CID agent following the shooting. Standing out from the rest of the black guns on scene, it was reportedly not discharged at the WHCD, commanded or uncommanded.

5. Mossberg Maverick 88

Going back to Allen (the shooter), the Mossberg Maverick 88 in his arms definitely slowed him down more than a pigskin would have. Maybe that’s why he went with the folding stock variant.

Based on the incredibly successful Mossberg 500 series, the Maverick 88 is budget scattergun. Built in Maverick County, Texas and introduced in 1988, the Maverick 88 (very creative, Mossberg) is an incredibly reliable platform that survived TFB TV’s 500-round burndown.

However, with just a bead sight and a stock that offers the suggestion of a cheek weld, Allen would have struggled to make a precise shot with a slug, let alone buckshot, especially after his sprint.

6. Rock Island Armory 1911

The 1911 is (usually) as American as apple pie… except that this one was made in the Philippines. That said, the homemade and small shop 1911 market there is about as strong as the home and craft brew scene in Portland.

Rock Island Armory, completely separate from the federal government’s Rock Island Arsenal, is a budget-friendly firearm manufacturer with an extensive line of 1911 pistols. How extensive? Extensive enough to offer one in .38 Super.

Following the release of the Colt Government Mode (the civilian name for the 1911), law enforcement found that the pistol’s heavy and slow .45 ACP bullet would put down gangsters, but couldn’t penetrate steel car doors or early body armor. In 1929, Colt introduced the 1911 in .38 Super to address these concerns.

Though the caliber has largely fallen out of favor in the United States (though, maybe more popular in Torrance, Calif.), supplanted by 9x19mm, it’s a popular cartridge in Mexico where civilians are prohibited from owning military calibers like .45 ACP and 9mm NATO. As far as (alleged) assassin’s pistols go, this is one of the more interesting choices.

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