USA: "BATF Allows Sale of Handgun Disguised as a Pen Despite Law Enforcement Warning"

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http://biz.yahoo.com/prnews/031028/dctu047_1.html
Justice Department's Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives Allows Sale of Handgun Disguised as a Pen Despite Law Enforcement Warning

Tuesday October 28, 11:13 am ET

WASHINGTON, Oct. 28 /PRNewswire/ -- The U.S. Justice Department's Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) is allowing the sale to the general public of a small-caliber handgun disguised as a pen -- despite the clear public safety threat such "pen guns" represent -- the Violence Policy Center (VPC) warned today.

The public safety threat posed by the Stinger Pengun is made clear in an October 2002 "Officer Safety Bulletin" regarding the weapon issued by the U.S. Air Force Office of Special Investigations based at Andrews Air Force Base. The national alert was apparently distributed to government, military, and local law enforcement agencies. More recently, in August 2003, the Department of Homeland Security warned that terrorists might attempt to use ordinary items to conceal explosives or weapons -- which is the exact purpose of the pen gun.

Manufactured by Stinger Manufacturing Corporation in Sault Sainte Marie, Michigan, the Stinger Pengun is a single-shot pistol disguised as a pen. It is 5.6 inches long, weighs only five ounces when empty, and retails for $250. It is currently available in 17 and 22 caliber, and the company's web site (www.stingerpengun.com) promises that more calibers are "Coming Soon!" A past advertisement on the web site states that the gun "Transforms From A 'Pen' To A Legal Pistol In 2 Seconds." Promised soon-to-be marketed accessories include an 18-inch "sniper barrel" and attachable "heart dagger." Stinger also manufactures the "Survivor Knifegun," a handgun concealed in a pocket knife with blade. The $375 "knifegun" -- promoted as "The Pistol With A Sharp Edge" -- is 3.7 inches long, 1.09 inches wide, and weighs 12 ounces. (Pictures of both are available at www.vpc.org/press/0310pengun.htm) According to documents obtained by the Violence Policy Center from ATF under the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA), Stinger was incorporated in February 2002 by Canadian citizen Marc Lefebvre.

VPC Executive Director Josh Sugarmann states, "ATF and the Justice Department have been put on notice that the Stinger Pengun represents a clear threat to public safety and law enforcement. ATF clearly has the authority -- and legal responsibility -- to reclassify Stinger's pen and knife guns under federal law to tightly restrict them and should do so immediately."

According to Stinger, both guns have been approved for sale by ATF and under federal law are sold with only the same restrictions that apply to standard handguns. Advertising on Stinger's web site boasts, "The Stinger Pengun is the only legal pengun in the world" and promises that the gun opens up "A whole new world of possibilities." This is in spite of the fact that, according to ATF, under federal law "Gadget-type firearms and 'pen' guns which fire fixed ammunition" are classified as an "Any Other Weapon" (AOW) under the National Firearms Act of 1934 (NFA) and come under the NFA's strict licensing and registration regimen. To purchase an "Any Other Weapon," the buyer must go through an extended and extremely detailed background check, register the weapon, and receive approval from local law enforcement. ATF distinguishes the Stinger Pengun and Knifegun from other such weapons and treats them as standard handguns simply because in order to be fired, the "grip," or handle, of the gun must be angled to its barrel.

"This is a distinction without a difference," adds Sugarmann. "It is almost unfathomable the depths to which the Ashcroft Justice Department will sink to carry out the bidding of the gun industry and its lobbying allies. Stinger's pen and knife guns can be re-classified tomorrow to protect public safety on the street, in our offices, and in the air. And if the Ashcroft Justice Department truly cares about public safety, it will do so immediately."

For more information on the Stinger Pengun, please visit the VPC's web site at www.vpc.org.

The Violence Policy Center is a national non-profit educational organization working to stop gun death and injury in America.
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ATF distinguishes the Stinger Pengun and Knifegun from other such weapons and treats them as standard handguns simply because in order to be fired, the "grip," or handle, of the gun must be angled to its barrel.

"This is a distinction without a difference," adds Sugarmann
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Mr. Sugarman, do you realize your statement could be used against the NFA making a 15.9" barreled rifle illegal, but a 16.1" barrel legal?

Kharn
 
VPC Executive Director Josh Sugarmann states, "ATF and the Justice Department have been put on notice that the Stinger Pengun represents a clear threat to public safety and law enforcement. ATF clearly has the authority -- and legal responsibility -- to reclassify Stinger's pen and knife guns under federal law to tightly restrict them and should do so immediately."
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What authority? It's a handgun by the current definition in the law. Unless Congress passes legislation like they did for the Striker 12 shotguns, there isn't anything legally that can be done.

Perhaps Josh would like to see some of the other weapons alerts the LE community receives? All of the innocent everyday objects that people convert to edged and bludeon type weapons. Where is he on these? Hey josh, why aren't you calling for regulation of plaster of paris and ace bandages? I personally took some nice homade knucks made out of these materials that anyone could buy at Wal-Mart. No background check or waiting period. Why is it that anyone bent on mayhem can buy the makings of these lethal weapons?

Jeff
 
Hmmm....manually loaded, 1 round capacity, barrel, trigger and "a pistol grip that protrudes conspicuously beneath the action of the weapon".

Yep, sounds like a "clear public safety threat " to me. Better ban them. Especially given that a potential hijacker might use single-sided, silver adhesive strips (aka "duct tape") to attach a bayonet.
 
"This is a distinction without a difference," adds Sugarmann.
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You mean to say the NFA is arbitrary in its distinctions? Thanks for making our point for us.

Lonnie: the thing has to be sort of folded to fire. Guess it it has enough of a pistol grip in order to be considered a handgun.
 
Lonnie Wilson

My understanding is that the pen gun is an AOW. Which means you have get an FBI background check and tax stamp in order to own it.
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This from http://www.stingerpengun.com/ . Click on the picture to be forwarded to the webpage for the Stinger pengun.

From the webpage caption:
The Stingerâ„¢ Pengun is the only legal pengun in the world. It was classified a pistol by the ATF in 1991. It is not classified as AOW or under NFA rules. The ultimate in concealed "back up" weapons, the Stinger is an engineering work of art. The fit, finish, and function will make the Stinger one of your most prized collectable handguns.
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Yep. The reason is it is not an AOW is that by folding in half to fire, it doesn't look like a pen any longer. In fact, it looks like a handgun, although seriously ugly and inaccurate.
 
Stinger should send Mr. Sugarman a letter thanking him for the endorsement and publicity.

I'm seriously interested in that 9mm Liberator shown on their page.

All that aside, I love the balanced approach to reporting from this news service. They interview advocates for exactly one side of the issue and quote a gun control advocacy group as experts on firearms. :rolleyes:
 
I love the balanced approach to reporting from this news service. They interview advocates for exactly one side of the issue and quote a gun control advocacy group as experts on firearms.
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In fairness to PRNewswire, they are nothing but a press release distribution service (aka Press Release Newswire), so they have no say about content. Anyone can pay to put their press releases on their service, and both pro- and anti- people do this. :)
 
stinger pen gun approved in 1991

"It is almost unfathomable the depths to which the Ashcroft Justice Department will sink to carry out the bidding of the gun industry and its lobbying allies
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:confused:
:confused:
it was approved in 1991 under Ashcroft's watch? Oh wait, Ashcroft wasn't attorney general in 1991, once again proving Josh Sugarmann is an idiot.

atek3
 
Like I said last time this thread popped up, if you plan to shoot at me; by all means please use a single-shot .22 that has to be worked like a transformer before it can be used as a viable gun.
 
It's too bad that such a "gun" cannot be held exposed in your shirt pocket for emergency defense situations by most folks in the 37 CHL states. Most of these states specify that the carry of their guns must be concealed.

And, I know what some of you are thinking..... "But who would even recognize it as a gun when it doesn't look like one?" -Surely one law enforcement person out there, one day when you're mindin your own business having lunch at MicDonald's with the wife, will recognize what you're wearing on your shirt pocket and bust you on the spot for it.
 
For more information on the Stinger Pengun, please visit the VPC's web site at www.vpc.org.
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Still one more lie for VPC. Did a search at VPC on VPC. Their site has nothing at all on the Stinger. The best the search, which returned one -- count 'em -- ONE hit, could come up with was "singer".

Gotta watch out for thos assault sewing machines, I guess.
 
Those stingers are far more dangerous to the user thatn the usee...

Like oh excuse me Mr. Victim, please wait while I take this GUN DISGUISED AS A PEN out of my pocket and fumble to get it open and ready to shoot, try not to whack me on the head while I am doing it...ROTF..

WildwhatahunkofjunkAlaska
 
i work with a guy

that should have a s.n on his bottom one bowl of beans and he can clear an area.now tell me he is not a weapon.maybe if trouble ever kicks off at work i will be with him if the gas does not kill me the inmates will never get to me.the mind is the weapon maybe we should outlaw brains.come to think of it we are working on it .i can tell by the number of crack heads i see,thanks,keith
 
there is something wrong with all my guns

i do keep most locked up in the gun safe.when i open the door not a shot is fired and they don't knock me down trying to get out.none of them have killed anybody yet. many take 30 round mags still they just sit there doing what i am best at nothing,thanks,keith
 
I'm with S_G. The way to get me to buy a crappy pen-gun is to tell me that it's eeeevil, and I'm a bad person for having one.

Hope this free advertising revives the company.

If nothing else, it keeps the envelope of legality large and wide. First they come for the pen-guns and .50 calibers, then they work their way inward. If you don't believe in the "slippery slope" argument, read the anti websites. It is a cornerstone of their philosophy.
 
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