SC manufacturer of gun used in New York City mass shooting offers response
The South Carolina-based gun manufacturer that made the rifle used in a mass shooting in New York earlier this week has commented on the crime for the first time.
Palmetto State Armory said it was aware of reporting that one of its semi-automatic rifles had been the weapon used in the shooting, after a man drove cross-country from Las Vegas to New York City this week and opened fire Monday night in an office building that included the offices of the National Football League, killing four people and critically wounding another before turning the gun on himself.
Multiple news outlets have reported that the gun used in the attack was an AR-15-style rifle manufactured by Palmetto State Armory. In a photo published by the New York Post, the West Columbia-based armory’s logo is clearly visible on the gunman’s blood-stained weapon.
“Palmetto State Armory is aware that one of our firearms was reportedly used in the shooting in New York City,” the armory said in an unattributed statement sent to The State. “We are deeply saddened by this senseless act of violence, and we pray for the victims and their families.”
“At Palmetto State Armory, we are committed to the lawful and responsible manufacture and sale of firearms. We comply with all applicable federal, state, and local laws and regulations, and we support efforts aimed at promoting firearm safety and responsible ownership. We strongly condemn any criminal or unauthorized use of firearms,” the statement continued.
“We will, of course, cooperate with law enforcement as needed. Given that there is an active investigation, we will refrain from further comment to avoid interfering with the process.”
Palmetto State Armory manufactures and sells a range of guns, from pistols to AR-15-style rifles, plus related sporting equipment. It offers direct firearm sales online across the country, as well as at its retail locations in South Carolina and Georgia.
Palmetto State Armory’s name was also brought up after a gunman fired at then-presidential candidate Donald Trump at a campaign event in Pennsylvania last year. He was reportedly armed with a semi-automatic rifle made by DPMS Panther Arms.
That weapons manufacturer was acquired in 2020 by JJE Capital, the parent company of Palmetto State Armory. An attorney for the company told The State at the time that “The firearm was manufactured and sold long before JJE Capital purchased the DPMS intellectual property rights” in a bankruptcy proceeding.
The former president was injured in the shooting, and one Trump supporter in the crowd was killed.
As of Aug. 1, there have been at least 256 mass shootings, defined as gun crimes with multiple victims, in the United States in 2025, according to records collected by the Gun Violence Archive.
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