I saw the video, there really was a good amount of smoke.
Interesting. Some states don't consider a black-powder weapon a firearm. An armed felon could attend a rally, and be home-free.
OTOH, it could intense lighting for the cameras.
The (highly suspect) killer Michael Reinoehl is a felon and can not buy a gun.
He might have been using a black powder weapon.
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Black powder pistol?