Pen gun

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] and are single shot.[3][5] 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][6]

Homemade pen guns (Museum of the History of Donetsk militsiya).
Homemade pen guns (Museum of the History of Donetsk militsiya).

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.[6][7]

According to the FBI, pen guns were widely used for self-defense in the 20th century.[8]

References
  1. John Minnery (1990). Fingertip Firepower: Pen Guns, Knives and Bombs. Paladin Press. pp. 33, 38. ISBN 0-87364-560-X.
  2. Helias Doundoulaki (2008). I was Trained to be a Spy: A True Life Story. Xlibris Corporation. p. 65. ISBN 978-1425753795.
  3. J. David Truby (1993). Zips, Pipes, And Pens: Arsenal Of Improvised Weapons. Paladin Press. p. 132. ISBN 0873647025.
  4. "Instructions -- .25 ACP". Retrieved 2014-02-18.
  5. 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.
  6. "Identification of Firearms Within the Purview of the National Firearms Act". Retrieved 2014-02-18.
  7. "National Firearms Act Handbook" (PDF). Retrieved 2014-02-18.
  8. "October 2018: Pen Gun". Federal Bureau of Investigation. October 2018. Retrieved March 30, 2021.
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