Bang!

                                      NYPD: Beware the tiny six-shooter

Police and other law enforcement agencies have been told to be on the lookout for two new gadgets -- a tiny gun that looks like a key chain trinket and easily could be smuggled onto a plane, and a plastic handcuff key that looks like a pendant.

The NYPD issued a Sept. 29 memo about the factory-produced gun -- a 2½-inch-long replica of the Colt Python that, police sources note, can be tossed, along with keys and cell phone, for instance, into a plastic basket before passing through an airport metal detector. The gun has not been found in New York City, authorities said.

"It looks like it could be used as part of a key chain," says Joe Green, spokesman for the New York office of the federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.

  Swiss watch making meets COLT Python. Don't be deceived, this little pistol can kill. It is easy to hide, won't show on most airport screenings, and is untraceable. Put close to the temple and fired - it will kill in an instant. The only reason it's not everywhere is its cost. But when it comes to killing - money is no object. Brought to you by the same people who make the Swiss Army Knife.

                    There's even a gold pated, diamond studded version.

               

                    NYPD: Beware the tiny six-shooter

BY ROCCO PARASCANDOLA

Police and other law enforcement agencies have been told to be on the lookout for two new gadgets -- a tiny gun that looks like a key chain trinket and easily could be smuggled onto a plane, and a plastic handcuff key that looks like a pendant.

The NYPD issued a Sept. 29 memo about the factory-produced gun -- a 2½-inch-long replica of the Colt Python that, police sources note, can be tossed, along with keys and cell phone, for instance, into a plastic basket before passing through an airport metal detector. The gun has not been found in New York City, authorities said.

It looks like it could be used as part of a key chain," says Joe Green, spokesman for the New York office of the federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.

The six-shot revolver is manufactured by SwissMiniGun, a Switzerland company that bills the tiny gun as the smallest revolver and ammunition in the world, complete with 2.34-mm bullets.

"This firearm is a scaled-down model of the much acclaimed and mystical Colt Python, with all the same features as are found on the real size gun," its Web site reads.

The gun sells for about $5,000, but company chief executive Paul Erard has said most buyers choose the $30,000 model encrusted with gold and diamonds. Erard reportedly said only about 50 mini-guns have been sold, all in the Middle East. In a statement yesterday, Erard said he received a certificate from Guinness World Records citing the gun as the smallest working revolver that fires the smallest live ammunition.

Green said such a gun would be illegal in this country because its barrel is less than 3 inches long.

"We haven't seen the gun, but it's a working revolver," Green said. "It could penetrate. What if you got shot in the eye with one of these?"

A New York Police Department supervisor involved in gun investigations said the mini-gun is not something he expects to find on the streets.

"Part of having a gun is not that it just shoots, but that it's intimidating," he said. "This would be something you would use if you're going to sit down with somebody at lunch and do a James Bond on them."

Just as alarming, authorities say, is a plastic handcuff key that at first glance could be mistaken for costume jewelry or an unusual trinket.

The key, apparently made by melting plastic in a mold, is contained within a nickel-sized hoop, from which it can easily be broken away and used to unlock a standard handcuff.

It is potentially deadly, authorities say, because it cannot be picked up by metal detectors.

"Prisoners are always making keys out of things," says Dennis Quirk, president of the Court Officers Association.

"That's why when we search our prisoners, we do a thorough search."

News of the new key was sent out by the NYPD in another Sept. 29 memo. It was not immediately clear if the plastic key had turned up in the city, but police routinely issue such memos when they get word from other authorities -- in this case, the Seminole County Sheriff's Office in Florida -- about new criminal inventions.   Link

Comments

[all_nines]

It's only a joule of force, like a BB gun. Only a real danger to the eyes, ears, or maybe a tooth. Almost impossible to kill with this. This wouldn't even break flesh in most cases. A dull pencil would be a far more effective weapon on an airplane.

[Steel]

True.

But fired into the temple, a major hemmorage would occur and result in death.

Yes, even a brick would do more damage.

Let me know when you are able to carry a 'brick' onboard.

Let me tell you a story ...

I had a small weapon like this once.

It did not fire a projectile.

It DID make a lotta noise and it was about the same size.

I walked into my favorite watering hole and 'pulled' it on the proprietor of the joint.

BANG!

He had a heart attack. He fell to the floor. The other patrons assumed I'd shot him.

Sometimes, you don't need a bullet.

[cosmos7]

I don't understand why an alert to be on the lookout for a plastic key would be issued. Sure it's useful to know they're out there, but to my knowledge it's not illegal in any state to possess a handcuff key.

[Paul]

"...to my knowledge it's not illegal in any state to possess a handcuff key."

That's why a memo was issued, not a ban.

[Gary R. Hess]

How is this any more dangerous than a pencil? If jammed into the temple, it is deadly as well.

[AkRonin]

The Swiss Mini gun is banned from import into the U.S. anyway and like all_nines mentioned, has less than a 1 foot pound of energy. This is far far below that of an ordinary paint ball gun.

Here's the URL for the ammo specs

And here's the URL to their home page

[Phoenix]

Just get yourself a Black Belt. They can't detect that. Nor can they take it away from you, and it's a hundred times more deadly than this thing.

[LawdogCA]

I don't understand why an alert to be on the lookout for a plastic key would be issued. Sure it's useful to know they're out there, but to my knowledge it's not illegal in any state to possess a handcuff key.

Posted by: cosmos7 | 10/05/2006 at 01:54 PM

IN RESPONSE:
Obviously you are not a member of law enforcement and if you are...God help us all.

[oldcatman]

Hmmmmmmmmmmm.

A little sewing kit with the needles dipped in curare...............

SEW WHAT?

[Jake]

Who cares about it really?, i mean is a tiny freakin gun and a key, chances are that anyone is going to come in contact with ether are so few and far between its not even both thinking about. Personaly i think the little thing is neat and if i could get one i could just for a conversation piece to say that i have one of the worlds smallest guns. I think the point is being missed, this isnt a weapon of mass destruction, its a trinket made for laughs!

[nordsieck]

The reason why police are worried about a plastic handcuff key is that one someone is handcuffed, police assume that they will stay that way. If someone "magically" becomes handcuffed while not being watched, the resulting situation could be quite dangerout (hit on the head from behind, gun grab, etc).

[tribeone]

Nice weapon,You could use it to pop a baby cap on a mouse or other tiny pests.

[Phoenix]

test

[John Ward]

Several years ago here in Tampa a guy being held for questioning in the shooting death of his son used a hidden handcuff key to release his cuffs. He got control of one of the detectives' guns and shot and killed both of them while they were driving him to headquarters. He then carjacked a woman, killing her. He tried to escape north on I-75 and was stopped by a Florida Highway Patrol officer. The perp had gotten his own firearms out of the trunk of the cop car when he escaped and when stopped by the trooper he jumped out of the truck he had stolen and opened fire, killing the trooper before he could get out of his patrol car.

The guy finally holed up in a gas station/convenience store, holding the clerk hostage for several hours. He eventually released her unharmed then killed himself as SWAT officers stormed the building.

I don't know if the law was ever passed statewide, but here in Hillsborough County it is illegal for anyone other than a law enforcement officer to possess a handcuff key.

[ali]

youre prducte is wonderfol
i hope see you

[west bremerton florist]

whoa, that is tiny.

[guess]

i looked up this site cuz i just found one of those tiny guns. I got it from an old woman. it doesnt look bad but if u shot some one in the eye or ear that would kill them. its not the size its the force that kills