One of the scariest pictures I've seen in a long time.

[OldRedneck]

99. Answers about the gun

1. The two things sticking forward under the barrel are the legs of a BIPOD, folded up. The rifle is on a tripod for stability. If the shooter is in a position where he doesn't have or can't use a tripod, he uses a bipod -- two legs -- flip the bipod down and you have two short legs on which to rest the rifle for stability.

2. The split thing on the end of the barrel is a FLASH SUPPRESSOR. When a firearm is fired, some of the burning powder shoots out of the barrel, making a flash. If you're in a gunfight, you don't want the people you are shooting at to see the muzzle flash because the muzzle flash gives away your position. The flash suppressor does what it's name says -- suppresses the flash so it's not so bright.

3. A LASER DESIGNATOR. This thing fires a laser beam that is sighted in to match the flight of the bullet. The shooter presses a button near the trigger that turns on the laser designator. The shooter then aims the rifle by putting the dot made by the laser on the target and pulling the trigger.

4. It appears to be a Leupold scope. Not certain of the model. Leupold makes a range of optical devices including binoculars, spotting scopes, and sights for rifles, pistols, and crossbows (yes, crossbows). http://www.leupold.com/ The Leupold scopes range in price from "affordable" at around $300 to well over $2,000 -- http://www.opticsplanet.com/leupold-rifle-scopes.html?gclid=CMKA9eu-ncACFSpo7AodYWcATg