Constitution Arms To Build Palm Pistol Firearm For Elderly and Disabled.
MAPLEWOOD, NJ – -(GunReports.com)-Start-up manufacturer Constitution Arms is preparing to build the Palm Pistol, an unusually shaped handgun for the elderly and disabled.
The Palm Pistol is a single-shot DAO defensive firearm chambered in 9mm that may be fired using either hand without regard to orientation of the stock.
The company says it’s suited for home defense, concealed carry or as a backup gun.
Matthew Carmel, president, said, “It is also ideal for seniors, disabled or others who may have limited strength or manual dexterity. Using the thumb instead of the index finger for firing, it significantly reduces muzzle drift, one of the principal causes of inaccurate targeting. Point and shoot couldn’t be easier.”
The single-shot 9mm handgun doesn’t look like any other gun you know. It resembles a bean-bag held in the palm, and the barrel points out between the user’s middle and ring fingers. The shooter presses a button at the top of the beanbag with the thumb.
Constitution Arms says the Palm Pistols has been 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.
The gun will cost about $300. Deposits are $25, though Constitution Arms doesn’t specify a delivery date.
“The ATF has classified the design as a standard ‘pistol’ and is thus not subject to NFA regulations,” Carmel said. “This will permit the gun to be sold like any other traditional handgun without the additional tax and registration requirements of designs that otherwise would have been classified as AOW [Any Other Weapon].”
The Palm Pistol lacks iron sights and has a slim profile to allow concealment without printing. There are no external moving parts, which permit it to be fired from within a pocket or other clothing without the possibility of jamming on fabric. The design also includes a loaded chamber indicator, a 3-digit combination lock which secures the trigger, a Picatinny rail for attaching accessories such as a strike bezel, light or the LaserLyte Subcompact V2 laser sight, may also be incorporated as optional features.
Carmel said, “The design is suited for home use, concealed carry enthusiasts, collectors and as a backup gun. The Food and Drug Administration has completed its ‘Device/Not a Device’ determination and ruled the pistol will be listed as a Class I Medical Device. An effort is underway to obtain Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) Durable Medical Equipment coding for the Palm Pistol.
“If we are successful in obtaining DME coding, it is possible the medically prescribed purchase of the Palm Pistol will be reimbursable by Medicare or private health insurance companies for qualified insured [persons].” Carmel said, “Sales will be direct to consumers by Constitution Arms through the company’s website, various online auction websites, and other avenues. An attempt will be made to produce the product entirely with US-made components.”
For further Information, www.PalmPistol.com
Palm Pistol Patent Pending
Specification The Palm Pistol is an ergonomically novel double action only defensive firearm chambered in 9 mm that uses the thumb for firing pin release instead of the index finger. It is both ambidextrous and bilaterally symmetrical about its longitudinal axis rendering it functionally independent of the users hand dominance or bilateral orientation. It has no iron sights thus rendering eye dominance and sight alignment immaterial. One of the principal factors of inaccurate fire is lateral muzzle drift induced during trigger squeeze. Use of the thumb for releasing the firing pin mitigates this problem. Also, the slim profile presents the ability to readily conceal the firearm without imprinting. There are no external moving parts which permit it to be fired from within a pocket or other clothing without the possibility of jamming on fabric.
Furthermore, use of the thumb may reduce the likelihood of an accidental discharge due to startling and body alarm reaction (BAR) induced during a high stress encounter with an armed opponent. The design incorporates a loaded chamber indicator and 3-digit combination disc cylinder lock which secures release of the triggers and positively locks the breech during firing. A Picatinny rail for attaching accessories such as a strike bezel, light or the LaserLyte Subcompact V2 laser sight may also be incorporated as optional features. The design is suited for home use, concealed carry enthusiasts, collectors and as a backup gun.
It is ideal for seniors, disabled or others who may have dexterity limitations or difficulty sighting and controlling a traditional revolver or semi-automatic pistol. For example, it may serve as an adaptive defensive firearm for people with phalangeal amputations or fusions. Approximately 30,000 non-work related amputations involving one or more fingers occur annually within the United States.1 Its use as a medical device is anticipated. It may also have government application for employees who require personal protection yet do not traditionally train with or carry firearms. This might include civilian administrative staff working on government installations in high risk domestic or foreign locations (embassy personnel who are at risk of kidnapping), employees who might be intimidated by revolvers or semi-automatic pistols, or clandestine personnel It may also serve as a backup gun for military, police, commanders located in the confined quarters of a tank, airline pilots or stewards or security guards.
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has completed its “Device/Not a Device” determination and ruled the pistol will be listed2 as a Class I Medical Device, exempt from 510(k) Pre-Market Notification, in accordance with and subject to 21 CFR 890.5050 “Daily Activity Assist Device.” An effort is underway to obtain Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) Durable Medical Equipment (DME) coding for the Palm Pistol. DME is defined under federal law3 as equipment that is capable of withstanding repeated use, is primarily used to serve a medical purpose, generally is not useful to an individual in the absence of an illness or injury, and is appropriate for use in the home.
We argue the pistol meets this definition in that is can withstand repeated use, the medical purpose served is extension of life expectancy, all living individuals are subject to the “injury” of shortened life expectancy due to loss of life from criminal assault and it most assuredly is appropriate for use in the home. An additional function of the device is prevention of sudden onset death, analogous to the benefits offered by on-body alarm systems which permit independent unassisted living without the need for Certified Nursing
1 Annals of Emergency Medicine, Volume 45, Issue 6, June 2005, pages 630-635.
2 The FDA does not “approve” medical devices. Medical device manufacturers are “registered” and devices are “listed.” 3 Title 42 CFR 414.202If we are successful in obtaining DME coding, it is possible the medically prescribed purchase of the Palm Pistol will be reimbursable by Medicare or private health insurance companies for qualified insured’s. Medical indications for use include but are not limited to arthritis; peripheral neuropathy caused by chemotherapy, infection, traumatic injury or diabetes; phalangeal amputations/fusions/fractures; distal muscular dystrophy; multiple sclerosis, carpal tunnel syndrome, Raynaud’s syndrome; ganglion cysts; side effects of certain medications; and inclusion body myositis. The majority of states now permit concealed carry of firearms for personal defense and this will present a steady civilian market for this type of highly concealable gun. The integral cylinder combo lock eliminates the need for a separate trigger locking device. The recent DC v Heller decision may produce an increased demand for concealed carry firearms. The success of the Taser C2 and increased manufacturers marketing campaigns in mainstream publications such as PC Magazine further suggests widespread potential interest in this product type. Also, the increasing interest in cane fighting by senior citizens for both exercise and self-defense, suggests a large potential market.
Sales will be direct to consumers by Constitution Arms, a licensed FFL and NJ Retail Firearms Dealer, through the company’s own website at www.palmpistol.com, various online auction websites and other avenues. Elimination of the dealer and wholesale network will retain profits in the company and permit price competitiveness. An attempt will be made to produce the product entirely with US made components. The ATF has classified the design as a standard “pistol” and is thus not subject to NFA regulations. This will permit the gun to be sold like any other traditional handgun without the additional tax and registration requirements of designs that otherwise would have been classified as “AOW” (Any Other Weapon).
For further Information, contact Matthew Carmel, President, Constitution Arms, (973) 378-8011
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