Friday, December 5, 2008

Firearms as "Medical Devices"

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Looks rather like an inhaler!
(Hope no one gets the two confused!)


Fox News- 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.


An example of "thinking outside the box", here is a firearm that doesn't look like what we think of as a "gun", but was specifically designed for those who might have arthritis, or lack the strength to pull back the slide on a conventional pistol.

The article goes on to describe how a doctor might actually prescribe these weapons for elderly or infirm patients!

Even better, Constitution Arms says it's had it certified by the FDA as a "Class I Medical Device." That means doctors could prescribe the handgun to qualified patients, who would then have some or all of the cost reimbursed by Medicare or private insurance.


What is it the feminists have long claimed about abortion? "What good is a Constitutional right if you cannot afford it?" I have always believed that a consistency in this logic would have the government subsidizing firearms for the poor, so that they, too, could exercise their constitutional right to keep and bear arms. By the same token, what good is a Constitutional right to bear arms if you do not have the physical strength or ability to wield a conventional firearm?

What was the old Chinese curse? May you live in interesting times!

Here's breech open view for the more technically inclined:

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Cross posted at Say Anything

2 comments:

  1. Doesn't strike me as very practical. The grip method shown with the barrel protruding between the 2nd & third fingers seems pretty weak to begin with, add to it that it's intended for those with less than ideal grip strength. I envision the gun flying back striking the shooter with the slug dropping straight down on the ground. But then I always did like Wile E. Coyote cartoons when I was a child.

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  2. I envision the gun flying back striking the shooter

    I dunno, Spartacus. It's only chambered in 9mm. That's what Jeff Cooper used to call a "mouse gun". Shouldn't have that much "kick".

    Besides, if used in the manner prescribed, it would only be fired in a life threatening situation. And, as a single shot weapon, after sending the JHP pellet on its way, you don't have to worry about bringing the gun back on target for the double tap!

    But, I agree. In most situations there are better options available.

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