Zip Guns and Crude Conversions: Identifying Characteristics and Problems

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 experimenting 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. Some zip guns are made by individuals working on their own while others arise from a group effort, often in a school metal workshop. The former tend to be very crude, unreliable, and usually more dangerous to the shooter than to his intended victim. Zip guns fabricated in school are still crude by commercial standards but show innovative skill and greater reliability. Better materials and closer tool tolerances make it possible to produce a much safer weapon. Where blank-firing pistols and air guns have not been legislated out of the sporting goods stores their basic actions are often modified to fire live, bulleted loads. Usually, in these guns only a barrel suitable for .22 rimfire ammunition must be added, or an already existing barrel needs to be bored out to a greater diameter to accommodate live ammunition. Where multiple shot blank pistols are converted, the shooter possesses a relatively well-made large capacity weapon that outdoes the homemade gun in nearly every respect. Some disadvantages arise however, and these will be discussed later. Not all zip guns are made by juvenile thrillseekers. Large cities have their share of adults who also find difficulty in obtaining a firearm for whatever reason. They too build their own or purchase a basic action which can be modified to become a lethal weapon. While some adults use their guns in crimes such as hold-ups, others merely seem to be seeking a means of self-protection where legislation has precluded weapons ownership, policing is sporadic, and crimes against the person occur regularly. Very little data has been compiled on the possibilities and problems of identification of these weapons. The trend to stricter firearms legislation can be expected to result in increasing construction of zip guns and their greater involvement in armed crimes. The investigator will be faced with identifying such weapons more regularly. Many variations are described in this paper to familiarize those who will be troubled by these unique weapons with the possibilities that may be encountered.