Paul Harvey reporting Colt Python passes through metal detectors?

[Nicolai]

I heard it too and couldn't believe what I heard. The more Harvey talked, the more ridiculous it sounded. Airport security personnel can't detect a Colt six-shot revolver because it's in the same pocked with some dimes?

 

[profshadow]

The ATF is a-twitter, according to CBS News

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1697863/posts

Federal ATF Agents issued an officer safety advisory on what is called the world’s smallest gun after a CBS 2 inquiry. The Alert has been issued both in the New York and nationally to all Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives criminal investigators and will be passed on to other federal agencies.

ATF has confiscated thousands of disguised or miniature guns -- from flashlights that shoot a .25 caliber bullet to pen guns.

The latest miniature gun that is alarming ATF agents is the SwissMiniGun. It’s extremely small -- just over two inches long. It comes with tiny bullets designed especially for the weapon that can penetrate skin. Even in its holster, this gun is so small that law enforcement experts say it could pass for a keychain ornament.

According to William McMahon, special agent in charge of the New York ATF office, that makes it the perfect stealth weapon for a variety of criminals.

“A terrorist, a criminal trying to sneak into bank, all kinds of criminals. I can see no legitimate reason to own this gun. It seems to be just made to be hidden,” McMahon said.

As its name indicates, the SwissMiniGun is manufactured in Switzerland. CBS 2 News reached the company's CEO, Paul Erard, by phone.

He said the gun is a miniature, detailed copy of the Colt Python revolver. He sells it for roughly $5,000 to gun collectors (though he added that most of his guns are encrusted with diamonds and gold, so they can cost $30,000).

He said he has sold 50 miniguns, all to only one area of the world. “Contacts in the Middle East asked me to make a miniature of Colt Python," said Erard.

Erard refused to say which Middle-Eastern countries. His reaction when asked if terrorists might use it? At first he laughed and said, “ Absolutely ridiculous.”

When CBS 2 got him to admit his gun shoots bullets using gunpowder, he then changed his tone. “Of course I am concerned as manufacturers of air guns are concerned. This is not a toy,” said Erard.

A national police organization notes that unlike air guns, SwissMiniGuns can be concealed and shoot with gunpowder bullets that travel at 400-plus feet per second. These bullets could be aimed at the face.

Joe Occhipinti of the National Police Defense Foundation was alarmed by the SwissMiniGun’s potential uses, noting, “In a routine stop, a guy could certainly make a joke, and 'Say see my little gun here?' point at the officer and shoot. It looks like a key chain and [an officer’s] guard would be down."

Occhipinti added, "I could easily see a passenger attempting to go to an airport take out a key chain put in with coins in the little basket. No one would detect that."

SwissMiniGuns cannot be legally imported into the United States because the barrel is less than three inches long -- in this case, a lot less.

No SwissMiniGuns have been recovered here yet, but McMahon admits, “If it came into the United States, it would be a concern.”

This alert is the result of a single officer in Maryland seeing the gun on a Web site and alerting other officers, including the National Police Defense Foundation.

CBS 2 News learned of the weapon and passed word on to the ATF. It is an example of officers using the Internet the way some terrorists do but in this case, to combat them.

 

[hankdatank1362]

OMG!!! They could penetrate skin? And be aimed at the face? If someone pulled a swiss minigun on me, I'd chew it up into a little tinfoil ball.

Now If I ever found myself on the opposite end of a real mingun (GE), or either of those gorgeous Colt Pythons, I'd probably piddle.

 

[Ramius]

Email sent to www.paulharvey.com

FWIW guys, I sent the following email via http://www.paulharvey.com/

I have been a loyal listener to Paul Harvey News & Comment for many years, but recent incorrect facts in stories have me very concerned.

Your comments on the "Colt Python" on the Friday broadcast were incorrect, and very inflamatory. I invite you to read a thread I started on a firearms forum discussing this:

http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=226175

Inflamatory and incorrect comments on subjects as sensitive as firearm ownership are not what I am looking for when I tune in to Paul Harvey each day. I hope you can find time to issue a correction soon, and avoid such mistakes in the future.

Thank you, <signed name>

Not getting my hopes up, but it's fun to let them know they stepped in it.

Anybody else feels froggy, feel free to stop by and tell them what you think.

C.

 

[ETXhiker]

Just to clarify, the Swiss Mini-gun is real. It is not intended to be a viable weapon, however. It is simply the Swiss again demonstrating how clever hey are by making incredibly tiny miniatures for wealthy buyers who like cool toys. (Are you reading this, Paul?)

 

[tellner]

I'm imagining Martha Stewart arrested by the TSA for carrying her hot glue gun onto a flight. Has anyone read Poe's "The System of Doctor Tar and Professor Feather"? :banghead:

 

[bakert]

I thinkthe whole story is bogus although my hip replacement joint didn't show up once on the older airport scanner. I told them about it beforehand and they said try it. BUT, a pack of gum wouldn't let me pass through a courthouse scanner some years before that . Maybe if one hid it in their--------??? Use your imagination!!

 

[rfwobbly]

And now, page 2 !

"Now I am convinced [Paul Harvey] is less than honest and will just make stuff up for his show. Case in point is where he did a story on a lady I now work with who traveled to all 50 states during the late 1980’s. She pointed out to me that he flat out fabricated the end of the story about her going on a honeymoon in Alaska to wrap up the tour. I think Paul Harvey is just an entertainer to whom the truth takes a back seat."

Maybe she did the honeymoon in Paul Harvey's back seat on the way to Alaska and is simply too embarrassed to fess up? You know, it was the 80's !!

 

[Ramius]

Since the death of his wife, the show has been done by his son, Paul Harvey Jr. and a few other substitute hosts. I rather expect the show to quietly fade away soon, so this topic is pretty much a moot point now.

 

[makarovnik]

It would pass if the metal detector was off or malfunctioning. I love this type of talk because it just shows how stupid some anti-gunners are. Sorry, I can respect anti-gunners and agree to disagree with them without insulting their intelligence but anyone who believes that crap is stupid.

Stupid is as stupid does.

 

[Speedo66]

At the price of 6300 Sw. Fr. (approx US$5200) for this novelty delivered outside of Switzerland, I can see where these are going to fly off the shelf and be a world wide danger.

Just the thing for shooting flies in your kitchen.

 

[goon]

It would be really nice if someone would just check some facts once in awhile. Imagine how much better of a place the world would be.
BTW - if you can get a Python through the metal detector I bet you could just as easily get an AKSU-74 or MP-5K through.
Or maybe even a couple hand grenades...
If that were the case, wouldn't it be a brilliant idea to inform all the world's terrorists just how easy it is to get serious firepower on an airplane?
Morons...

 

[ConstitutionCowboy]

That thing must kick like a grasshopper!

Woody

 

[Ramius]

Requested thread be closed

Friends

I have requested this thread be closed, due to the recent death of Mr. Paul Harvey.

Thanks, Ramius

 

[Justin]

This thread is three years old, folks. Let's put it to rest.