Stinger pen gun

I received an email about the Stinger pen gun, and whether it was an NFA firearm, or could be purchased like a normal firearm.  While that may not be of interest to lots of people -- the background understanding why it is legal, and not governed by the NFA is good to know.  My answer is that this type weapon currently conforms to the definition of a "pistol" or "hand  gun" because it has a rifled barrel, and is hinged so that in order to fire it, you must bend the rearward portion downward -- which thus forms a grip below, and angled to the barrel -- hence, fitting the definition of a handgun.  If for any reason the barrel was not rifled -- or the pen gun could be fired while not in the angled position -- it would become "any other weapon" under the National Firearms Act -- and require obtaining the tax stamp from the feds prior to possessing it.

jhg       [Florida gun law -- Federal gun law]