"Gun Shop Debuts Credit-Card-Sized Shotgun"

[Pert_UK]

I can't really see the point - it's a pain in the arse to load which means that only experienced gun owners would really want to do it...but if you're an experienced gun owner, are you really going to carry an underpowered gimmick rather than a regular weapon?

Plus you have to have separate bits of crap lying around (gunpowder - hey, that's safe! - bb's, wadding etc.). If you want a gun for self-defence, this seems like a pointless half-measure to me.

I also presume that you can only carry a loaded muzzle loader around for so long before you have to discharge it / clear it out and reload it, unlike bullets which are self-contained and have a reasonable shelf-life....and are unlikely to leak into your pocket or get damp in the rain.



"MINNEAPOLIS -- In a new twist on the idea of concealed weapons, a local gun maker and gun shop are debuting a new type of firearm: one that could almost fit in your wallet.

It's a two-shot weapon made from a piece of metal the height and width of a standard credit card, and about a half-inch thick. Each barrel fires seven standard steel BBs. It will retail for $100.

"This I can see being the ultimate self-defense weapon," said Mark Koscielski, owner of Koscielski's Guns and Ammo, the only gun shop in Minneapolis...

"They are very effective at five to 10 feet. They're absolutely useless at 20 feet," Teel said...

The credit card-sized shotgun is a muzzleloader, meaning it doesn't use shotgun shells. The user has to measure out some gunpowder, pour it in each barrel, drop seven BBs in each barrel, and tamp in a small wad of paper. A knob on one end serves as a safety, and two buttons set into a hole in the body are the electrical triggers. Each barrel fires with a loud pop."

http://www.wftv.com/news/3786870/detail.html

[slackmaster]

1. Pointless half-measure is correct

At least from the perspective of someone living in California.

Because the weapon is disguised as something other than a firearm it would IMO (and I am not a lawyer) already be a felony to carry one concealed, under Section 12020 of the California Penal Code.

A person caught carrying a regular pistol without the required concealed-weapons permit would probably face a less severe criminal charge than someone caught carrying this gadget. If I felt a sudden need to carry a weapon I'd choose a normal handgun that has a capacity of 5 or 6 or 7 rounds.

I'm not sure what the feds will have to say about this. Is it legally an AOW (Any Other Weapon), or is it a primitive firearm because it doesn't take fixed ammunition (and therefore legal to sell mail-order to buyers in most states)? It's a gimmick, IMO a potentially dangerous one because it lacks the well-evolved ergonomics of standard weapons which are essential to their safe use.

[Dolomite]

4. AOW was my first thought too....

since the now infamous wallet holster is an AOW, this would surely fit into that.

Shot a "pen" gun once. It was a .22 mag - it was neat and all - but (and here's a shocker) accuracy was nil. Also, it really didn't do anything more than what a good hand-held edged weapon could do in the right hands (except go "boom"), so I never really saw the need to get one.

[FatSlob]

2. I'd buy one...I don't know what I'd do with it...but I'd buy it.

I can never own enough guns.

[rogerashton]

3. Looks like an assassin's weapon to me.

Up close and personal.

[skippythwndrdog]

20. I would likely work for that-

if you jammed it down the target's throat and choked him with it.

[benburch]

5. Cute

But ultimately a toy for gun collectors. Why wouldn't you rather have a Derringer?

[slackmaster]

6. I'd rather just...

...Sing!

[benburch]

10. The way *I* sing...

it would disable an attacker much more certainly.

[Pert_UK]

11. One day son, all this will be yours.........

"What, the curtains?"

:-)

Made me laugh...Well done!

P.

[6th Borough]

16. More like a gun for toy collectors.

[mosin]

7. A pointless gimmick

I have no interested in one. With the small amount of propellant that would fit in there, I expect you would not get have much penetration from the tiny .177 caliber BB's. They would probably bruise or damage an eye, but I wouldn't expect much more.

I also assume they are mistating the need for actual gunpowder. It probably uses smokeless powder or Pyrodex, much safer substances.

[TX-RAT]

12. They would probably bruise or damage an eye?

Depends on the muzzle velocity.
Varmint hunters around here have been using shot guns for night hunting. The preferred load is BBs, a lot of their shots are in the 30 to 40 yard range. I've seen the penetration go as far as 5 to 6 inch's. I have no idea what the velocity of this weapon is, but i suspect it's capable of at least 1000fps at the muzzle. Thats more than enough to create serious wounds.
I also don't like the idea of electric triggers on a weapon, thats that close to my snutz.

[mosin]

23. Maybe it's the size of the thing...

that makes me sceptical. How much powder does it really hold? I reload, so I know how much powder goes into a shotshell. Maybe the little thing can hold more than is apparent.

[gatlingforme]

8. I will put some rocks in my pockets and call it even.

[Romulus]

9. my take (repeat from GD)

Since this is not compliant with BATFE regs for shotguns, rifles, or handguns, it is no doubt considered "Any Other Weapon" (AOW), and requires the whole BATFE background check (form completed in triplicate with photo & fingerprints), approval of the state or local law enforcement agency where you live, a special Treasury "tax stamp," and related registration with BATFE before you can buy one.

http://www.atf.gov/firearms/faq/faq2.htm#m1

The fact that the credit card gun may be a two-shot muzzleloader (similar to Davy Crocket's musket) may not render it exempt from BATFE regs. http://www.atf.gov/pub/ind_circulars/ic9802.htm

[Remmah]

13. Pretty Silly

Nothing more than a mass produced zip gun.

Bad idea, under powered. Just gonna make the attacker mad. Better off w/pepper spray.

Dumb idea.

[JeebusB]

14. Marginally better than terse language

in a fight for your life.

[6th Borough]

15. It's a BB gun.

You'll shoot 'yer eye out kid :P

[SBWCP]

17. This gun

Doesn't have self-defense uses, it's not against revolutions it's about MURDERING KIDS! Why do you think it's so small and weak? Perfect to kill todlers. STOP MAKING KID KILLER GUNS! YOU WANT AN EXAMPLE OF A GUN JUST TO KILL KIDS? LOOOK!

[DonP]

18. Have some herbal tea ...

... listen to some nice new age music, I recommend Enya.

Stop typing in all caps too, it might lower your blood pressure.

I'm sure you have some support for your contention that this is a gun designed for killing children, why not share your sources?

Or is that your educated and considered opinion based on a vision?

I'd like to read your POV on those evil five gallon assault buckets that are killing far more children under 6 than guns do?

[Pert_UK]

22. Care to explain? Sarcasm, madness or other?

Just wondering......

P.

[skippythwndrdog]

19. You'll put your eye out!

Aside form the jokes, it's useless unless you hit the eyes or possibly the groin of an attacker. I can also see dampness as an issue. Electrical triggers and essentially loose powder probably wouldn't be worth snot to someone caught in a rain shower or who perspires heavily. If I'm only going to have 2 shots, I'd prefer a derringer in .22 WM for pocket carry, but since I don't care for derringers either, I'll stick with my 145 or Defender.

Might get one as a collectible, but that's about it.

[colt_5_5_6]

21. self defense

while a good self defense gun is a good idea in the hands of a qualified person. This weapon is a black powder weapon and will not be subject to ATF rules as such. It would have little if any qualities of a self defense gun. personally I carry a glock G19 in 9mm. which is a better weapon than the one listed here. And for the nay sayers against guns I feel it is my constitutional right under the bill of rights and my states concealed carry permit laws. :hi: