Florida gun-maker selling ‘Crusader’ anti-terrorist assault riffle

A Florida gun-maker is drawing fire from Muslim groups over a new “ISIS-proof” assault rifle fashioned with a Bible verse and a symbol of the crusades. 

“The Crusader Rifle” was launched Wednesday by Spike’s Tactical in Apopka. The AR-15 is laser-etched on one side with a Knights Templar Long Cross — a Christian crusader symbol — and Psalm 144:1 on the other side: “Blessed be the Lord my Rock, who trains my hands for war, my fingers for battle.”

The weapon also has three settings: “peace” “war” and “God wills it.”

The company’s spokesman, former Navy SEAL Ben “Mookie” Thomas, said he came up with the idea for the rifle so no devout Muslim would be able to touch such a weapon, the Orlando Sentinel reported. 

“Off the cuff I said I’d like to have a gun that if a Muslim terrorist picked it up a bolt of lightning would hit and knock him dead,” Mr. Thomas said. 

The rifle — which costs $1,395 — has become a popular choice among customers and is taking up to two weeks to ship “due to overwhelming media response,” according to the business’ website. 

The gun is also being sold at Florida Gun Supply, another gun store that has received criticism after its owner declared the shop a “Muslim free zone.” 

“It’s not because we want to have war. It’s because our desire is the same desire as everybody else – we want peace. But unfortunately, if we want peace, we have to prepare for war,” Florida Gun Supply owner Andy Hallinan said, RT reported.

“We are frustrated with evil Islam, and radical Islam in this country. And businesses like myself and Spike’s Tactical are standing up and trying to make a difference,” he added.

But the gun has drawn criticism from the Council of American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) of Florida. 

“It is designed for Christian terrorists?” asked Hasan Shibly, executive director of CAIR-FL, the Orlando Sentinel reported. 

Mr. Shibly argued that only one of the 205 mass killings so far this year in the U.S. has involved a Muslim. 

“We need to have a conversation on gun violence. There has been utter silence from gun manufacturers. It’s time for them to stop trying to make a buck on this,” he said. 

However, Mr. Thomas says the goal of the rifle is not “offend or alienate.”

Mr. Hallinan told RT he does not believe the “Crusader” rifle is racist or bigoted, “I just think this is marketed to a different type of consumer.”