NCJ Number
115934
Journal
Security Management Volume: 33 Issue: 2 Dated: (February 1989) Pages: 80-85
Date Published
1989
Length
6 pages
Annotation
Security, law enforcement, and military personnel should be aware of the many types of weapons that can bypass even the most sophisticated metal detection equipment and that can often be purchased commercially or made from common household materials.
Abstract
Some of these weapons are signal pistols normally used by boaters and emergency signaling devices; magazine shotguns made from a magazine, electrician's tape, a machine screw, and a shotgun shell; pen guns made from modified tear gas devices; and the Glock 17, a semiautomatic pistol with a grip and trigger guard made of a high-tech plastic. Other such weapons are a ballistic knife that can fire the blade, plastic knives that are strong enough to be driven through a piece of plywood three-quarters of an inch thick, the sword umbrella, and a variety of office-pick weapons. Some unusual weapons include dummy grenades that can be made into fully operational fragmentation grenades and liquor bottles filled with gasoline or 100-percent alcohol. Some people also use the misdirection technique that magicians use to bypass countermeasures at a security checkpoint. Security professionals should keep abreast of the disguised weapons in use and keep line personnel informed through initial and ancillary training. Photographs.