TABLE OF CONTENTS

Weapons that Fire ……………………………………………………………1-2Colored 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 ………………………………………………………………………...5Tannerite 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. Itis 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 rim-fire 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/az-c15p97.asp

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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_tricks.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

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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

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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 approximately8 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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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