Palm Pistol Update
The Palm Pistol was criticized for possibly being an AOW. Now, not only is it not an AOW, but a medical device:
I thought you might be interested to learn that the FDA has completed its “Device/Not a Device” determination and concluded the Palm Pistol will be listed as a Class I Medical Device, exempt from 510(k) Pre-Market Notification in accordance with 21 CFR 890.5050 “Daily Activity Assist Device.”
December 3rd, 2008 at 1:47 pm
Sweeet! Can Medicare eligibility be far away?
December 3rd, 2008 at 7:28 pm
All kidding aside; it makes total sense. Someone with arthritis or otherwise limited use of their fingers could indeed benefit from this innovation. That’s no joke.
December 4th, 2008 at 9:10 am
As a Freelance Writer, I was contacted by Matt Carmel after an article I had done on the problems experienced by the disabled in shooting traditional firearms was published in Concealed Carry Magazine. I’ve been following his battle with the government trying to get his product licensed as a medical device. I love people who march to the beat of a different drummer. cboyles@aol.com
December 4th, 2008 at 7:55 pm
I am actually of two minds on this issue.
On one hand, I think that the classification of a firearm as a daily assistance device is nothing but a win for our side. Recognition of self defense as a medical necessity will go a long way towards countering the lingering anti-gun bias that exists.
On the other hand, I am not at all impressed with the Palm Pistol itself. There are more effective choices out there, and they sell for significantly less cash. Any supposed ease of use built into the design falls far short of addressing the lack of firepower and high price tag.
Matt Carmel contacted me after I posted the essay linked to above. He was very polite, but he also tried to change my mind by asking if I could imagine an elderly or disabled person using a standard firearm as a self defense tool. I think he was surprised to learn that I have actually specialized for close to two decades in teaching the elderly and disabled to do just that.
James
December 5th, 2008 at 2:52 am
I suppose this could come in handy for the few elderly persons who really need to have a weapon in the home. However, as a police officer, seeing this makes me cringe. How easy would this be for a bad guy to conceal, not to mention if he had it in his hand most law enforcemnet officers would not recognize it as a dangerous weapon, at least until it’s too late.
There are too many of these weapons, guns, tasers, etc… that are being produced now to look like other things. I have seen guns and tasers/stun guns that look like cell phones, pagers, pens, as well. ANd this one is being marketed on the mainstream, not black market like the others.
Not that there’s anything I can do about it, but when a police officer gets killed in the line of duty by some criminal with one of these things because he didn’t even know there was a gun pointed at him or her, maybe someone will realize it’s not that great of an idea, and guns should look like guns. Yet when the public gets up in arms over someone getting shot by cops because he led them on a pursuit, was on drugs or drunk, then gets out of his car and points a cell phone or other object at the cops, everyone blames the police for shooting an unarmed person.
I hope it never happens to me or anyone I know, but when companies are making guns that look like other things, how are we supposed to know who’s trying to hurt or kill us and who’s just being stupid.
December 9th, 2008 at 11:20 am
I really like this idea. My mother lives alone and very bad arthritis, I gave her my old colt .380 to protect her self but she has a hard time even squeezing that single action trigger (this is a woman who needs an automoatic can oppener). If she can manipulate this weapon I would buy one for her.
I too work in law enforcement, and I really don’t fear this. An expensive single shot pistol is not something I see a big balck market for, probably why I have never seen a Bond Arms Snake Slayer Derringer on the streets. They said the same thing about the FN 5-7 being in the hands of every gang banger in America, and Oh Wait, it didn’t happen, not at $1000 a pop.