A pen gun is a firearm that resembles an ink pen.[1][2] They generally are of small caliber (e.g., .22 LR, .25 ACP, .32 ACP, .38-caliber, etc.)[3][4][5] and are single shot.[4][6] Early examples of pen guns were pinfired, but modern designs are rim or centerfire.[1] Some pen guns are not designed to fire regular cartridges, but rather blank cartridges, signal flares, or tear gas cartridges.[1][7]
In the United States, pen guns that can fire bullet or shot cartridges and do not require a reconfiguration to fire (e.g., folding to the shape of a pistol) are federally regulated as an Any Other Weapon (Title II). They require registration under the National Firearms Act and a tax in the amount of five dollars is levied.[7][8]
According to the FBI, pen guns were widely used for self-defense in the 20th century.[9]
- ^ a b c John Minnery (1990). Fingertip Firepower: Pen Guns, Knives and Bombs. Paladin Press. pp. 33, 38. ISBN 0-87364-560-X.
- ^ Helias Doundoulaki (2008). I was Trained to be a Spy: A True Life Story. Xlibris Corporation. p. 65. ISBN 978-1425753795.
- ^ https://patents.google.com/patent/US3824727A/
- ^ a b J. David Truby (1993). Zips, Pipes, And Pens: Arsenal Of Improvised Weapons. Paladin Press. p. 132. ISBN 0873647025.
- ^ "Instructions -- .25 ACP". Retrieved 2014-02-18.
- ^ Stephen D. Carpenteri (October 2013). Gun Trader's Guide, Thirty-Fifth Edition: A Comprehensive, Fully Illustrated Guide to Modern Firearms with Current Market Values. Skyhorse Publishing. ISBN 978-1626360259.
- ^ a b "Identification of Firearms Within the Purview of the National Firearms Act". Retrieved 2014-02-18.
- ^ "National Firearms Act Handbook" (PDF). Retrieved 2014-02-18.
- ^ "October 2018: Pen Gun". Federal Bureau of Investigation. October 2018. Retrieved March 30, 2021.