April 08, 2006

Another reason to not use Phones

It’s another spread the urban legends Saturday. Again, I don’t know what if any of this is true; I’m assuming the text is mostly fake. But the video is kind of neat, in that “It’s kind of scary” sort of way. Here is the text that accompanied the video.

If you get asked to test your cell phone at the airport, this is the reason. Because cell phone guns have been discovered. The attached video clip shows how cell phone guns operate. These phones are not in the U.S. yet, but they are in use overseas. Beneath the digital phone face is a 22 caliber handgun capable of firing four rounds in rapid succession using the standard telephone keypad. European law enforcement officials are stunned by the discovery of these deadly decoys. They say phone guns are changing the rules of engagement in Europe . "We find it very alarming," says Wolfgang Dicke ! of the German Police Union . "It means police will have to draw their weapons whenever a person being checked reaches for their cell phone." Although cell phone guns have not reached the U.S. yet, the FBI, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms and the U.S. Customs Service say they have been briefed on the new weapons. All U.S. ports of entry have been alerted. These covert weapons were first discovered in October of 2000 when Dutch police came upon a cache during a dr ug raid in Amsterdam. In another recent incident, a Croatian gun dealer was caught attempting to smuggle a shipment through Slovenia into Western Europe. Police say both shipm! ents are believed to have originated in Yugoslavia! .. Interpol sent a warning to law enforcement agencies around the world. "If you didn't know they were guns, you would think they were cell phones," said Ari Zandbergen, a spokesperson for the Amsterdam police. "Only when you have one in your hand do you realize that they are heavier than a regular cell phone." Be patient if security asks to look at your cell phone or turn it on to show that it works. They have a good reason!

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Tell me that isn’t the fakest looking cell phone you’ve seen since the 90’s?

Posted by Contagion in Shenanigans at April 8, 2006 12:51 PM | TrackBack
Comments

According to snopes.com it is true.

Posted by: Sticks at April 8, 2006 06:07 PM

But for those who don't want to head to snopes and read about it - they also say that there is no indication that it is being mass produced so law enforcement isn't too worried about them... also this one was checked on by snopes in 2001. So it's an oldie.

Posted by: Teresa at April 10, 2006 11:11 AM

I think the reason they have you turn them on is more to see if it's a hollowed out case containing explosives, rather than a gun.

Posted by: Harvey at April 10, 2006 12:23 PM