Sen. Charles Schumer pushed the federal government Monday to investigate a new gun that looks like an iPhone before it comes to the market, but the head of the company making the weapon said concern over the two-shot gun is misplaced.
Mr. Schumer, New York Democrat, called on the Justice Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives to investigate the gun designed by Minnesota company Ideal Conceal, calling it a “disaster waiting to happen,” The Associated Press reported.
The company shared images of the weapon on its Facebook page. The gun looks like a phone in its case, but unfolds into a .380 caliber pistol.
The company claims the gun has a high velocity and increased accuracy, and has a list price of $395.
CEO Kirk Kjellberg said the phone-shaped gun would likely hit the market later in the year and insisted outrage over the weapon was misguided.
He pointed out that there are already small, easily concealed guns with more firepower than just two shots on the market, as well as holsters designed to conceal a weapon for practically every part of the body, AP reported.
SEE ALSO: Smartphone handgun by Ideal Conceal ‘virtually undetectable’
“The idea that this is going to cause some new big threat is just not true,” he said, calling it a defensive weapon only.
But Mr. Schumer said a gun that looks like an everyday item could violate federal law and pose a threat to law enforcement.
“Just like toys that too much look like handguns should not be sold, handguns that look too much like toys should not be sold,” Mr. Schumer said, AP reported.
• Kellan Howell can be reached at khowell@washingtontimes.com.
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