Free Republic

MAPLEWOOD, N.J., A New Jersey firm said its Palm Pistol -- a gun "specifically designed for women, seniors and [the] disabled" -- will be available in December. The T-handled screw driver-inspired Palm Pistol .38 SPL defensive gun, created by Constitution Arms of Maplewood, N.J., is scheduled for release in December of this year after 9 years of development, the company said. The company said the single-shot weapon was specially designed to be used by "women, seniors and [the] disabled" -- particularly those affected by arthritis -- and is triggered by a button pressed by the thumb instead of an index...

Should a gun be considered a medical device? The inventor of the Palm Pistol claims that the Food and Drug Administration said "yes," then changed its mind. The Palm Pistol is a single-shot firearm designed for the elderly or disabled who may lack the manual dexterity or strength to fire a regular gun in moments of self-defense. The firing pin is released by pressing a button with the thumb rather than the index finger. (View a diagram of the Palm Pistol mechanism here.) The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms classified it as a standard pistol, but inventor Matthew Carmel...

You've heard of the Palm Pilot? Well, here's the Palm Pistol. Constitution Arms, a small arms manufacturer based in Maplewood, N.J., is taking deposits for what it touts as the world's first ergonomically designed firearm. Intended for use by the elderly and disabled, the single-shot 9-mm weapon looks like a giant bean grasped in the palm of the hand. The barrel points out between the user's fingers. You "pull" the trigger by pressing on a thumbed button at the top.