The unfolding drama surrounding an attempted assassination of former President Donald Trump intensifies as legal debates over the operability of the weapon used have come to light in court.

A suspect was arrested for allegedly aiming a rifle at Trump on Sept. 15, 2024, in West Palm Beach, Florida, just two months after a separate attempt on his life, and a theory raised by attorneys in the case has drawn scrutiny from Judge Aileen Cannon, as Newsweek reports.

Trump Faces Multiple Assassination Plots

About two months before the West Palm Beach incident, Trump narrowly escaped another assassination attempt where a bullet grazed his ear.

This previous attempt occurred in Butler, Pennsylvania, ratcheting up concerns about the security threats facing the former president.

On Sept. 15 of last year, Ryan Routh was arrested at the Trump International Golf Club in West Palm Beach. Eyewitnesses reported seeing him with a rifle pointed through a fence, although no shots were fired during the incident.

Despite the absence of gunfire, Routh faced serious charges, including the attempted assassination of a major presidential candidate. This incident did not see Trump in direct line of the rifle's fire, yet the charges underscored the severity of the act.

Suspect Pleads Not Guilty

Routh has denied all charges, entering a plea of not guilty. His trial, which draws widespread media attention due to the high profile of the complainant and the gravity of the accusations, is scheduled to start on September 8 and is expected to last around two weeks.

The case falls under the jurisdiction of Judge Aileen Cannon, who is no stranger to cases involving Trump. She had previously presided over a matter concerning Trump's handling of classified documents.

As part of his defense, Routh's attorney, Kristy Militello, challenges the functionality of the allegedly used weapon -- an old SKS semiautomatic rifle designed in the Soviet Union roughly 80 years ago.

The defense argues that the weapon's condition and capability to accurately fire at the alleged distance need verification.

Debates Over Gun Testing Heat Up in Court

Judge Cannon, during one of the court sessions, questioned Routh's defense team about their claims regarding the rifle's ability to operate as alleged.

"Is it your theory that the weapon could not have fired within the distance alleged?" she queried, highlighting a critical point of contention in the trial.

Militello responded by emphasizing the necessity of testing the rifle to ascertain its operability and accuracy.

"It [the rifle] is old, and we want our expert to determine it is operable, is it accurate, what kind of distance can it reach?" she asserted.

However, federal prosecutors opposed testing the rifle, stating such actions would be "irregular, unsafe, and never been used," trying to prevent any potential tampering or damage to what is considered crucial evidence in the trial.

Trump Seeks Details on Assassins' Backgrounds

Adding yet another layer to the complex case, Trump himself has publicly expressed concerns about the mysterious circumstances surrounding both assassination attempts against him. He has questioned the backgrounds of the individuals involved.

"I want to find out about the two assassins....Why did the one guy have six cell phones and why did the other guy have [foreign] apps?... I'm entitled to know," Trump stated, shedding light on his uncertainties and highlighting potential broader concerns regarding the nature of these incidents.

The outcome of this case could significantly impact Routh, who faces a possible life sentence if convicted.

With a plea of not guilty and an imminent trial, the questions surrounding the weapon's functionality remain pivotal to the defense's strategy.