A Closer Look at the Gun That Killed Martin Luther King Jr.

When Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. was assassinated on April 4, 1968, the weapon used to take his life became a crucial piece of evidence in one of the most significant criminal investigations in American history.

The gun, a Remington Model 760 Gamemaster — was used in the tragic assassination of a man who had tirelessly fought for civil rights and equality. This article examines the firearm’s characteristics and how it became entangled in this dark chapter of American history.

The Remington Model 760 Gamemaster: A Hunter’s Choice

The Remington Model 760 Gamemaster is a pump-action rifle popular among hunters during the mid-20th century. Chambered in the powerful .30-06 Springfield cartridge, it was known for its reliability, versatility, and ability to take down large game.

Introduced in 1952 by Remington Arms, the Model 760 was part of a long line of successful firearms produced by one of America’s oldest and most respected gun manufacturers.

The Model 760’s design catered to hunters who required accuracy, rapid follow-up shots, and ease of handling. The pump-action mechanism was a key selling point.

Unlike bolt-action rifles that required manual manipulation to chamber the next round, the pump-action allowed for quick cycling while staying on target. This feature was especially useful when hunting animals that could move swiftly, requiring multiple shots in quick succession.

A Closer Look at the Rifle’s Specifications

The Remington 760 Gamemaster was built to be a reliable and efficient hunting tool. Its key specifications reflected the needs of hunters at the time:

• Barrel Length: The rifle featured a 22-inch barrel, standard for hunting rifles. This barrel balances accuracy with maneuverability in wooded or brush-filled environments.
• Overall Length: The rifle measured approximately 42.5 inches, balancing accuracy and ease of handling.
• Weight: Unloaded, the rifle weighed around 7.5 pounds, optimal for carrying long distances while hunting without compromising stability when firing.
• Action: The pump-action mechanism was the hallmark of the Model 760, allowing for quick follow-up shots without losing sight of the target.
• Magazine Capacity: The rifle came with a detachable box magazine, typically holding four rounds of .30-06 ammunition, making reloading quick and straightforward.
• Stock: The stock was made of walnut, a durable and visually appealing wood commonly used in firearms of the era. It provided both aesthetic appeal and rugged durability.
• Caliber: The .30-06 Springfield cartridge was and still is one of the most popular hunting rounds in the United States. It is valued for its excellent range, flat trajectory, and stopping power.

The Transition from Tool to Weapon

While the Remington 760 Gamemaster was designed for hunting, its role in the assassination of Martin Luther King Jr. demonstrates how a tool created for sport can be misused for violent ends. And Reverend King most certainly met an untimely, violent end.

Early evening, April four
A shot rings out in the Memphis sky
Free at last, they took your life
They could not take your pride

-U2 from Pride (In the name of Love)

On April 4, 1968, James Earl Ray, a man with a long criminal history, fired a single shot from a rooming house across from the Lorraine Motel in Memphis, Tennessee. That shot, aimed at Dr. King as he stood on the motel balcony, struck him in the neck, causing devastating injuries that led to his death.

The .30-06 round, designed for large game hunting, inflicted fatal damage when it struck Dr. King. The bullet’s high velocity and energy transfer upon impact made it lethal, even though the shot was fired from a distance. The power of the .30-06 cartridge, combined with the rifle’s accuracy, ensured the assassination’s success with a single shot.

The FBI Investigation: Connecting the Dots

In the aftermath of Dr. King’s assassination, the Remington 760 Gamemaster became a critical piece of evidence in the FBI’s investigation. The bureau conducted extensive forensic analysis to determine the type of firearm used.

Ballistic experts meticulously matched the lands and grooves on the recovered bullet to the barrel of the Remington 760, confirming it as the murder weapon.

Additionally, the FBI traced the rifle’s serial number back to its purchase. Ray purchased the rifle using an alias from a sporting goods store in Birmingham, Alabama. This connection, along with other evidence, tied Ray directly to the assassination.

Law enforcement agencies also found several items near the scene, including a scope, binoculars, and a radio—all discarded by Ray in his haste to flee. The discovery of these items, along with the rifle, provided a clear link between Ray and the crime. The FBI’s ability to trace the firearm to Ray, despite his attempts to cover his tracks, was a testament to the thoroughness of the investigation.

The Capture and Conviction of James Earl Ray

James Earl Ray’s flight from justice took him across the Atlantic, where he was eventually captured at London’s Heathrow Airport on June 8, 1968, two months after the assassination. Ray’s capture was the result of an international manhunt that involved cooperation between U.S. and British authorities.

Ray initially pleaded guilty to the murder of Dr. King, a move that spared him from the death penalty. He was sentenced to 99 years in prison, where he later recanted his confession, claiming he had been set up as a patsy.

However, the forensic evidence, including the ballistic match between the rifle and the bullet, left little doubt about his guilt. Ray’s attempts to appeal his conviction were unsuccessful, and he died in prison in 1998.

The Broader Impact of the Assassination Weapon

The assassination of Martin Luther King Jr. with a hunting rifle highlights the lethal potential of firearms, regardless of their intended use.

The Remington 760 Gamemaster, while designed for lawful and peaceful purposes, became an instrument of violence in the hands of a man determined to silence a voice for justice. The tragic misuse of this firearm underscores the broader conversation about gun control and how weapons designed for sport can be used to commit heinous crimes.

Firearms like the Remington 760 are tools, and like any tool, their impact depends on the intent of the person using them. In the hands of a hunter, the rifle would have been used to provide food or sport. In the hands of a criminal, it became a weapon of assassination.

The Legacy of the Remington 760 Gamemaster

Today, the Remington Model 760 Gamemaster is remembered not for its intended use as a hunting rifle but for its role in one of the most tragic events in American history.

The rifle that took the life of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. serves as a sobering reminder of the violence that can occur when firearms are misused.

As we reflect on Dr. King’s legacy and the enduring impact of his work, it is important to remember the words of fictional Gunnery Sergeant Hartman in Full Metal Jacket: “Your rifle is only a tool. It’s the hard heart that kills.”

Assassin James Earl Ray’s hard heart stopped beating on April 23rd, 1998, at Columbia Nashville Memorial Hospital in Madison, Tennessee.