The Ideal Conceal smartphone handgun is now in production and shipping

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This is my cell phone handgun. It's something I put together for when I take my morning walks during tank top and shorts weather which around here is usually 8 months out of the year. The phone case was once used for my Nokia brick cell 15 years ago. I've had the .25 caliber Beretta 950 for about 40 years. I know the .25 isn't an optimal self defense round but it's lightweight and reliable. With an adjustable Velcro strap it attaches to a belt loop at my 2 o'clock, looks just like a cell phone and it doesn't alarm any baby stroller moms or dog walkers.
The extra magazine fits in the front accessory pocket and the pistol fits nice and snug in the main pocket. It weighs just a little over 12 ounces.
pc beretta.jpg pc beretta 2.jpg pc beretta 3.jpg
 
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I wonder if the gun would be used in bad shoot defenses, where someone would claim that they knew this gun existed and that's why they shot some innocent on the phone.

You get into an argument with someone. Maybe you are one the guardian of the rules at the swimming pool. As you rant, the person goes for the cell phone to post your idiocy on the web. You, being in guardian mode, go AHA! You shoot him and claim you were in fear of your life as the evil teenager or BBQ'er might have this gun.

Just a thought.
 
They are currently filling pre-orders and somebody that got one of the first ones turned around and put it up on gunbroker. I was the winning bid :) Should have it within the next couple of days. Totally a novelty purchase for me and not something I would carry/depend on. I got it cause it was a chance to get one of the first guns distributed from a new company as well as I wanna troll with it; knowing it will annoy people just saying I have it. Now for important stuff like finding a decepticon decal to put on it
 
I heard a radio interview with the inventor of this cellphone gun this morning on the way to work. The context of the interview had more to do w/ getting it past screeners, metal detectors, X-Ray, etc, and bad actors using it for crime. Apparently, it's a reasonably convincing take on a cell phone from across a busy room, but doesn't hold up on basic inspection. For starters, it doesn't have a screen, and there are other "tells" where you can tell it's not a phone if you get more than a few seconds to look at it. And the inventor seems reasonably sure that criminals would choose other tools better suited to their purposes. His words, not mine.

Based on what he said, however, I don't think I could work this one into my carry strategy, even as a last ditch item.

He's marketing to ladies for off-body carry (trigger is covered in folded position) and to those who may find more traditional concealed carry methods (holster/belt/firearm, or pocket holster) to be unworkable options due to job, anti-2A environment, etc. But I can't imagine being down to this as my only remaining option, after discarding all others. And if I'm left with the "better than no gun" line of thinking as my only justification for this thing, I can think of several things I'd rather do than try to deploy this gun in a hurry, in a moment of trouble. Especially at $575MSRP.

I wish em well, and maybe they'll sell a ton, but until a very specific "right" scenario comes along where this would be a welcome addition to the things I do, the cellphone gun will remain a novelty in my world.
 
So you’re picking the last statement and ignoring the first... yup, makes sense...
badkarmamib is correct. Not picking & choosing.

To understand the issue, you have to look at both the definition of an AOW and of a Pistol. And it's generally best to go to the actual text of the law. I've seen too many times where some details are either omitted or embellished. So if you don't like what I write, please refer to the actual law and form your own opinions.

AOWs are defined under 26 USC 5845(e): https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/26/5845 It gives a list of features a firearm needs to have to be considered an AOW. But as pointed out, the definition includes: "Such term shall not include a pistol..."

So by definition, if the gun is Pistol, it cannot be an AOW.

So what constitutes a pistol? For that you want to read 18 USC 921(29)(A): https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/18/921
(And then read 27 CFR 478.11, which defines a Handgun with the same wording: https://www.law.cornell.edu/cfr/text/27/478.11)
That defines a pistol as "a firearm which has a short stock and is designed to be held and fired by the use of a single hand..."

So, is the gun in question designed with a short stock (handle), and is designed to be held and fired by one hand? I would say it does meet that definition. So if it is a Pistol, it cannot be an AOW. Now if you did not have to fold the handle out to shoot it, one could argue it does not have a "stock".

I believe ATF has published opinions on this with regard to the stock being at an angle to the barrel. But I can't find them at the moment.

For a similar example, take a look at the Stinger pen gun. A typical pen gun is an AOW, not because it is concealable, but because it does not have a "stock". It is a straight cylinder. One exception is the Braverman Stinger, which one has to fold at an angle in order to cock and fire. ATF determined the folded section was the "stock", so it then met the definition of a "pistol" and was not an AOW. A typical non-folding pen gun is an AOW. The cell phone gun seems to be working under the same sets of definitions.

pistol&folded.jpg
 
My thoughts on the cell phone gun are that it falls into the "neat to collect" category. I have one of the pen guns mentioned above. I've even "carried" it in a front shirt pocket. But I wouldn't consider it a serious defensive arm by any stretch of the imatination. It has no sights, a very short barrel, and is slow to deploy.

It's not something I would go out of my way to get, but I wouldn't mind having one. Just because it's interesting.

Next to the low capacity, the next issue I would have with the cell phone gun is with how quickly technology changes, the appearance will soon be obsolete. I've seen videos of older design AOW cell phone guns that look like a phone from the early '90s. Something that would be out of place enough for people to take note of just because of how old/different it is.
 
Bought how i feel about it. Im not taking it serious. Just neat to collect, specially if it pisses people off. That and as a season ticket holder i can see me getting in w this in a phone case. A pen gun sounds cool too. I want one...
 
Everybody has an idea for a new invention or a great story. Only a tiny fraction have the dogged perseverance, passion, and willingness to put their finances on the line to see it come to pass. I'm personally not interested in his product but i hope he sells a boatload and retires a multimillionaire.
 
I remember the Stinger and needed a letter from the Sheriff to buy one (they were $200). Of course, he was anti 2A so I didn't even bother to ask.
 
Philly Soldier, please let us know what you think of it how it shoots when you get yours.

The first time I saw this “gun” the old song “Secret Agent Man” popped into my head. Weird.
 
Philly Soldier, please let us know what you think of it how it shoots when you get yours.

The first time I saw this “gun” the old song “Secret Agent Man” popped into my head. Weird.

I thought i did already. Perhaps it was a different board. I both like and disliked it. Its easier to draw, open and shoot than one might think. Its also pretty accurate at 7 yards that i tried. It is pretty uncomfortable to shoot though. The hollow handle doesn't make for a comfortable shooting experience. It is what it is, better than nothing and an item that might be easier to get by with in instances that i cant take my full size gun
 
PhillySoldier

It is what it is, better than nothing and an item that might be easier to get by with in instances that i cant take my full size gun

Thanks for the report and photos. Nice to have some first-hand information from someone who actually has one and has tried using it. With your last sentence you have succinctly summed up what this smartphone handgun is all about.
 
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