Report of the President's Commission on the Assassination of President John F. Kennedy

Gun Concealment in Oswald’s Roominghouse

Speculation claimed there was absolutely no place to hide a gun in Oswald’s room at 1026 North Beckley Avenue. The Commission found that police discovered a pistol holster during a search of Oswald’s room after his apprehension, and Mrs. Johnson stated she had not seen the holster before. There is no reason to believe Oswald could not have hidden both a pistol and the holster in the room, as Oswald’s pistol was small with the barrel cut down to 2¼ inches and could have been concealed in a clothing pocket.

Oswald’s 1 p.m. Revolver Retrieval

Speculation suggested Oswald did not pick up the revolver from his room at 1 p.m. The Commission found reason to believe Oswald did pick up the revolver from his room, probably concealing it beneath his jacket. This likelihood is reinforced by the discovery of the pistol holster in the room after the assassination, indicating that Oswald did not store the pistol at the Paine home where he spent the night before the assassination.

Oswald’s Entry into the Texas Theatre

Speculation claimed that no one saw Oswald enter the Texas Theatre. The Commission found that nearby shoe store manager Johnny C. Brewer and theatre cashier Julia Postal saw Oswald enter the lobby of the theatre, from where he proceeded into the theatre proper.

Eyewitnesses to Oswald’s Texas Theatre Arrest

Speculation claimed that none of the people in the Texas Theatre at the time of Oswald’s arrest came forward as eyewitnesses. The Commission found that Johnny C. Brewer, the shoe store manager, and two theatre patrons—John Gibson and George Jefferson Applin, Jr.—were present in the theatre and testified before the Commission about the circumstances of Oswald’s arrest. Only 6 or 7 people were seated on the main floor of the theatre at the time.