New Cell Phone Guns Hard To Spot In Metal Detectors
Guns Prompt Warnings
POSTED: 9:35 am EDT May 19, 2006
UPDATED: 9:59 am EDT May 19, 2006
Law enforcement and authorities at government buildings are being warned to be on the lookout for guns disguised as cell phones that are difficult to spot in metal detectors, according to a Local 6 News report.
IMAGES: Hidden Cell Phone Guns
IMAGES: More unique images
The report said the cell phone gun is a working .22 caliber pistol capable of firing off four rounds at the touch of the button.
The hidden guns are made of high-grade plastic, which makes them difficult to spot in metal detectors, the report said.
"They are being manufactured by people who have the equipment and knowledge to produce guns," Former MTA Counterintelligence Expert Nick Casale said.
NYPD officers are also being told to be on the lookout for the custom-made guns.
In an internal memo, NYPD officers were warned, "This gun is very difficult to detect visually, but once handled, it will feel heavier than a real cellular phone."
Federal firearms agents said cell phone guns are only the latest in a long line of seemingly harmless, but lethal weapons including belt buckle guns.
"There are beeper guns and there are also items known as pen guns," ATF Special Agent Joe Green said. "There are many, many disguise weapons out there."
In a world where many people have cell phones, experts say police officers will become increasingly suspicious.
The cell guns are considered illegal to possess because they are not made by a licensed gun manufacturer, Local 6 News reported.
