Citation

Koffler BB. J. Crim. Law Criminol. 1970; 60(4): 512-531.

Copyright

(Copyright © 1970, Northwestern University School of Law)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

This article deals with identification characteristics and problems which zip guns and crude conversions present to the investigator. In many areas, especially where commercial firearms are readily available to all those interested in possessing a gun, investigators will not encounter such weapons in a lifetime of work. Where weapons are regulated more strictly a zip gun may occasionally be examined. New York City, where gun ownership is highly controlled, has a very large number of zip guns produced many of which are seized by the police every week.

Numerous zip guns are produced by the curious youngster who perhaps being influenced by guns on television, but too young to be able to purchase a firearm, turns to his own resources. For such a person, concealability does not often motivate design. Many long arms are made by those experi- menting with firecrackers and lengths of plumbing pipes. Where gang violence and armed crimes motivate youth, their efforts are directed towards manufacturing a concealable, efficient, deadly device with advantages over close combat weapons such as brass knuckles or knives. The gun, no matter how crude, offers long distance killing potential and in a gang fight or hold-up can inspire more fear...

Available:
https://scholarlycommons.law.northwestern.edu/jclc/vol61/iss1/12

Copyright © 1969 by Northwestern University School of Law

Language: en