JFK Assassination Forum
JFK Assassination Plus General Discussion & Debate => JFK Assassination Plus General Discussion And Debate => Topic started by: Lance Payette on May 25, 2026, 04:14:55 AM
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Oswald’s one fatal mistake was going to Beckley to get his revolver. Had he not been carrying it, he probably could have talked his way out of the encounter with Tippit since he was rooming in the vicinity.
He could have carried it into the TSBD in a lunch sack on the morning of the 21st and had it waiting for him on the 22nd. I’ve seen it suggested at the Ed Forum that he was concerned about being frisked as he exited the TSBD on the 22nd.
I really don’t think that works. He obviously ran the risk of being frisked when he went to Beckley and got it. Indeed, that’s probably why he shot Tippit. Even if that were his thought process, he could have hidden it nearer the TSBD.
Why did he go get it? Without that move, he could’ve been long gone. Without that move, he would’ve had a much greater chance of talking his way out of any police encounter.
The fact that he didn’t have the revolver in the TSBD suggests to me what a truly last-minute, morning-of-the-22nd decision the JFKA was. My guess would be that he was completely surprised to find himself outside the TSBD and that going after the revolver was a panicked, knee-jerk reaction.
It’s hard for me to picture any CT scenario where going to Beckley and getting his revolver would have been part of the plan.