Photo/Illutration The Asahi Shimbun

The homemade gun believed to have been used to kill former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe appears clunky and crude, but the creator clearly had considerable knowledge about weaponry, a firearms expert said.

Soichiro Takakura, 45, who has written for weapons publications and appeared on TV programs featuring guns, also said the sound in the video of the shooting was unlike any gunshot that he has heard before.

Tetsuya Yamagami, 41, has been arrested on suspicion of murdering Abe. Photos of the suspect at the scene in Nara show him holding what appears to be a handmade gun that fired two shots at Abe.

The weapon comprises what looks like two water supply pipes taped together on a wooden board above a handgrip, also wrapped in tape.

Takakura told The Asahi Shimbun that the wires seen in the image indicate that a battery was used to touch off gunpowder.

Takakura also believes that the two-barrel gun “could not fire a third shot.”

Investigative sources said the gun that Yamagami used could discharge a shell containing six pellets.

Takakura said Yamagami likely referred to typical shotguns when he designed the weapon and the ammo used.

He also said the shape of the grip on the homemade gun surprised him.

“It is carefully curved,” he said. “That takes knowledge.”

Takakura said that type of grip would allow the shooter to react quicker after the first shot and more easily shoot a second time.

“Without such knowledge, the grip would be made straightforwardly,” he said. “Although the gun looks rough wrapped in tape, it seems that considerable calculations went into the design.”

Yamagami is believed to have learned about weapon assembly during his three years as a member of the Maritime Self-Defense Force.

STRANGE SOUND

Takakura said he was also surprised by the sound of the first shot fired at Abe.

“It was so heavy and loud and did not seem to be a gunshot,” he said. “Those who are accustomed to the sounds of gunshots would not think it was gunfire.”

Heavy smoke rose after the suspect fired the gun.

The first shot seemed to miss Abe, who turned around after the blast was heard. He collapsed after the second shot was fired.

“I assume security personnel did not think (the first sound) was a gunshot and could not react before the second shot,” Takakura said.

He also said contemporary firearms typically use gunpowder that does not cause much smoke.

Therefore, he believes the homemade gun contained black gunpowder often used in fireworks.

Takakura noted that the homemade gun did not appear to have a mounted gunsight on the barrel, and that the suspect did not bring the gun to eye level when he shot at the former prime minister.

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Soichiro Takakura, a gun expert (Provided by Soichiro Takakura)

Instead, Yamagami used a “point shooting” method that makes it more difficult to aim but enables more rapid firing and reduces the risk of injury to the face from the firing mechanism, Takakura said.

“I assume the suspect did not intend to shoot from a far distance. From the beginning, he seemed intent on approaching to a point-blank range and suddenly firing,” he said.

Takakura also said he believes Yamagami chose this method of shooting because he was confident about the power of the gun.

“I think the suspect tested out the gun more than once or twice,” he said.

Police seized pallets at the suspect’s home that appear to have been used to dry gunpowder.

“Gunpowder is sealed and unlikely to get moist in the legal manufacture of ammunition,” Takakura said. “But because the ammunition the suspect used was handmade and hard to seal, he must have been concerned about moisture.”

According to police sources, Yamagami has said he carried a gun to a venue in Okayama where Abe made a campaign speech on July 7, the day before the shooting in Nara.

Takakura, noting that multiple handmade guns were seized from Yamagami’s home, said the gun brought to Okayama may have been different than the one used in Nara.

“It is possible that the suspect was concerned about moisture (in Okayama) and didn’t want to have to reload that gun,” he said.

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