TABLE OF CONTENTS
Weapons that Fire ……………………………………………………………1-2
Colored Firearms
Swiss Mini Gun
Carbon 15 Type 97 Pistol
The Stinger Pen Pistol
Knife Firearm Combination
American Arms Folding Gun
Weapons that Cut or Stab ……………………………………………………3-4
Cigarette Lighter/Knife
“C” Batteries
Aluminum Club Knife
Key Knife
Knife and Case
Hidden Sword Blades
Metal Concealed Knife
Card Knife
Explosives ………………………………………………………………………...5
Tannerite Improvised Explosive Device
Unusual Concealment Methods of Weapons, Safes, and Contraband……..6-7
Ankle Pocket Socks
Leather Money Belt
Stealth Plate Cover
Hollow Walking Cane
Concealment Jeans
Drug Concealment
SUV Rifle Rack
Officer Safety…………………………………………………………………..8-9
Self-Defense Ring
No-Contact Jacket
Fake Ballistic Vest
Motorcycle Oil Tank Knife
Cell Phone Taser
Handcuff Ring Key
Concealed Camera
PREFACE
The mission of the California Department of Justice, Division of Law Enforcement, is to
provide its customers and clients extraordinary service in forensic services, forensic
education, narcotic investigations, criminal investigations, intelligence, and training. In
support of this mission, the Division’s Criminal Intelligence Bureau’s (CIB) Organized
Crime Analysis Unit conducted an in-depth intelligence-gathering and examination effort
into law enforcement safety handbook.
The Disguised Weapons Handbook is a quarterly report to inform law enforcement
officers of what new items are available to suspects. In addition, the purpose is to inform
law enforcement of the creativity some suspects have when converting everyday items
into homemade weapons.
The information contained in this report was obtained from various law enforcement
sources and databases. Many of the weapons shown in this publication have websites
listed where items can be viewed in greater detail. As of June 2006, all listed websites
were active.
This California Department of Justice (CA DOJ) report is law enforcement sensitive and
intended for official use only. No portion of this report is to be released to the media, the
general public, over non-secure Internet servers, or any other non-law enforcement person or
entity as it could adversely affect or jeopardize investigative activities.
This report is the property of the CA DOJ, Criminal Intelligence Bureau, and is being loaned
to the receiving agency. This report shall not be disseminated further without the prior
written consent of the CA DOJ and is to be used solely for criminal investigative purposes. It
is being furnished with the recipient’s understanding that the confidentiality outlined in this
admonishment will be enforced.
COLORED FIREARMS
The Cerakote Firearms Coating System is available
online for about $200.00. This coating system is
advertised as a corrosion protection finish for
handguns and rifles. Coated firearms may make it
difficult for law enforcement to be able to identify
between real firearms and toys.
Source: http://www.larsontactical.com/id28.html
SWISS MINI GUN
The Swiss Mini Gun has the same features as the
real size Colt Python. The Swiss Mini’s total length
does not exceed 5.5cm and it shoots 2.34 mm rimfire ammunition. This gun is available on the
Internet.
Source:
http://www.swissminigun.com/home.html
CARBON 15 TYPE 97 PISTOL
The Carbon 15 Type 97 Pistol is available on the
Internet for just under $1,000.00. Law enforcement
should be aware that this weapon was checked by
security scanners at Newark Liberty International
Airport without its ammunition clip where it
appeared only as a straight metal rod, with no
outline of a stock or trigger guard.
Source: Essex County, NJ and
http://www.bushmaster.com/shopping/Carbon15/azc15p97.asp
Page 1
THE STINGER PEN PISTOL
The Stinger Pen Pistol is marketed as a
compact gun that is easy to conceal. As
you can see by the pictures, one can draw
the gun without anyone knowing because
the gun is easily held in one hand when it’s
ready to fire. This weapon is available on
the Internet for $200.00.
Source:
www.Savvysurvivor.com/pocket_full_of_t
ricks.htm
KNIFE FIREARM COMBINATION
This pocketknife doubles as a .22 caliber
firearm. Just a reminder to officers that
items aren’t always what they appear to be.
Source: NYMTA Bulletin 5/6/06
AMERICAN ARMS FOLDING GUN
The .22 North American Arms pistol looks
like a knife, a pager, or a cell phone if it is
clipped to a pocket. This weapon folds in
half and is easily concealable.
Source: LEO 4/4/02
Page 2
CIGARETTE LIGHTER / KNIFE
The blade on this knife is approximately 2
inches long. Pulling out the base of the
lighter and turning it around exposes the
blade. It should be noted that this is a fully
functioning cigarette lighter.
Source:
www.orangecountyshields.tripod.com
“C” BATTERIES
One of the “C” batteries pictured has been
altered and contains four pieces of steel
that screw together to form a six-inch ice
pick type weapon.
Source: USMCFP Springfield
ALUMINUM CLUB KNIFE
This item was seized during a random
vehicle check. At first the item appeared to
be a black aluminum club; however, when
unscrewed it contains a 14 inch steel knife.
Source: 55 SFS/SFOI
KEY KNIFE
At first glance this item appears to be a
key; however, it is similar to a box cutter
and can easily be used as a knife.
Source: Prospectors Club of Southern
California Metallic Evidence Recovery
KNIFE AND CASE
When removing the knife from the case the
blade becomes exposed. Law enforcement
should be aware of such weapons because
when this knife is in its case the total length
is only 4 inches.
Source: Calibrepress
Page 3
HIDDEN SWORD BLADES
This item first appears as a baton but it
actually contains 15-inch, double-edge
sword blades. Pressing the metal switch
located in the center of the device, allows
you to pull the two ends apart, which
exposes the blades.
Source: Calibrepress
METAL CONCEALED KNIFE
At first glance this item doesn’t appear to
be a weapon; however, if you look closely
you can tell. This weapon is approximately
8 inches long, when closed and when
opened, the blade adds an additional 6 ½
inches to the overall length totaling 14 ½
inches.
Source: Calibrepress
CARD KNIFE
This knife is easily removed with one hand
and can be used as a punch knife. The
blade and the sleeve are the same size as a
credit card. Law enforcement officers need
to fully inspect subjects for such weapons.
Source: Calibrepress
Page 4
TANNERITE IMPROVISED EXPLOSIVE DEVICE (IED)
According to Barron County Sheriff’s Department, a subject used Tannerite, which is a
product name for explosive grade ammonium nitrate to create an IED. This powder
substance is available on the Internet to anyone over the age of 21. Tannerite needs to be
mixed with zirconium HTS and then detonated. The two ingredients are mixed together
and detonated from 100 yards away by shooting a .300 Winchester Mag round into the
container.
Source: Barron County Sheriff’s Department, Barron County, WI
Page 5
ANKLE POCKET SOCKS
These socks are marketed towards travelers
whose ad boasts, “cleverly concealed zipper
pocket.” Although meant to hold a spare key,
cash, or ID, the zipper pocket is the perfect
size to conceal items such as a handcuff key
or small plastic weapon.
Source:
http://www.beltoutlet.com/anpocsocorzi.html
LEATHER MONEY BELT
The money belt is advertised for travelers
because it is built to carry bills or traveler
checks. However, officers should be aware
the belt is 1.5 inch wide and has a 17-½ inch
zipper, which would easily conceal other
items. This belt is available on the Internet
for $60.00.
Source:
http://www.beltoutlet.com/tilpremmonbe.html
STEALTH PLATE COVER
According to the advertisers the Stealth Plate
works by using a film that is connected to a
control box that when a button is pressed, the
license plate becomes a frosted gray color.
When pressed again the license plate becomes
clear again. These plate covers are available
for cars, trucks, and motorcycles.
Source: MD Guard AT/FP Summary
HOLLOW WALKING CANE
The handle of this walking cane is hollow and
large enough for plastic tubes that could be
used to transport drugs or a small weapon.
Source: Brunswick Police Department
Page 6
CONCEALMENT JEANS
Members of the Ontario Provincial
Police Offender Transport Unit
recently conducted a search of an
individual coming back into
custody. While conducting the
search of this individual the bailiff
noticed a pocket on the person’s
inner left thigh with a Velcro
closure. Other clothing styles are
available with a pocket contained
on the flap of the zipper. Officers
should always use caution when
searching individuals.
Source: Ontario Provincial Police
DRUG CONCEALMENT
Hominy is an ingredient used in
traditional Mexican dishes. Inland
Narcotics Clearing House found
cans that had been factory sealed
and contained 5 pounds of
marijuana. The canning company is
Teasdale Quality Foods in Atwater,
California.
Source: Inland Narcotics Clearing
House
SUV RIFLE RACK
Officers should be aware of a new
rifle rack that conceals the weapon
on top of the sun visor inside the
cab of a truck, van, and SUV. The
Rifle Rack is easily installed in the
existing mounting holes for factory
made sun visors.
Source: www.jcwhitney.com
Page 7
SELF-DEFENSE RING
The Self-Defense Ring can be worn on
one finger where it looks like a single
ring. However, it can also be worn on
three fingers with stainless steel points
sticking up similar to brass knuckles.
Source: Nebraska Bulletin #4
NO-CONTACT JACKET
The No-Contact Jacket contains 80,000
volts of low amperage electric current
pulses just below the surface shell of the
entire jacket. This jacket was created to
help protect women from violent
attacks. The shock is designed to
disturb the neurological impulses, which
control voluntary muscle movement.
Source: www.no-ontact.com/index.html
FAKE BALLISTIC VESTS
Fake Ballistic Vests are available on the
Internet in blue, black, and white. These
vests are very difficult to distinguish
from real ballistic vest used by law
enforcement.
Source: 6 SFS/SFOI
MOTORCYCLE OIL TANK KNIFE
Oil tank dipstick knives are available on
the Internet. This item is marketed as a
need for roadside emergencies. Law
enforcement should be aware of such
possible dipsticks when approaching
anyone on a motorcycle.
Source: Minnesota Department of
Public Safety
Page 8
CELL PHONE TASER
This particular cell phone taser is
homemade. The shell of the taser
is a fictitious phone stores use for
displays. This phone has been
manufactured into a taser by using
a battery and metal tabs to create
the flow of electricity. On this
particular phone the on and off
switch is the charging point.
Source: Calibrepress
HANDCUFF RING KEY
At first glance this ring could
appear to be a normal ring;
however, it has a handcuff key
attached to it on the inside of the
band. Law enforcement should be
aware of such rings when
searching an individual.
Source: San Gabriel Police
Department
CONCEALED CAMERA
According to the Victoria Police
Department this vehicle has a
miniature camera on the rear
license plate. Inside the vehicle
was three drop down LCD screens
that were wired to the camera
enabling passengers to see
everything going on at the rear of
the vehicle. This poses extreme
danger to law enforcement officers
when approaching the vehicle due
to the fact that, passengers have
ample time to prepare their
defense if they choose to.
Source: Victoria Police
Department
Page 9