Another gangsta weapon

My readers in law enforcement, or those who might frequent gangsta hang-outs, might want to take note of a report from England.

At just four inches long, it fits easily in the hand and could be a key fob of the type used to open car doors by remote control.

But this tiny device is in fact a lethal weapon - a gun capable of firing two 0.25-inch bullets.




Yesterday, a thug was jailed for nine years for using one like it to shoot a man for 'disrespecting' him in a nightclub.

Marcus Henry's weapon was converted from a pocket gun designed to fire miniature flares, a gadget which is legal in Bulgaria where they cost £15.

Around 100 are believed to have filtered into Britain from Eastern Europe in the latest worrying illustration of how weapons once found in the realm of spy fiction are falling into the hands of criminals.

The double-barrelled gun is fired by pressing buttons on the side.

. . .

Detective Sergeant Dave Carter, of City of London Police, said: 'They are very dangerous weapons, arguably more dangerous than your average handgun because to the casual glance they look like something different.

'It is not particularly accurate but from a short distance it can be fatal.'

Three years ago in Manchester, suspected gang member Fabian Flowers, 19, fatally shot himself in the head while demonstrating a similar gun in a nightclub.

Our thanks to Mr. Flowers for removing himself from our midst. At least that's one more doofus gangsta we won't have to worry about.

However, we do have to worry about similar weapons making their way to this side of the pond. It's bound to happen. I guess our prison guards are going to have yet another thing to look for, to prevent weapons being smuggled in to convicts: and our men and women on patrol will have another threat to add to their list of 'things that might kill me tonight'.

Stay safe, boys and girls.

Peter