Palm Pistol Completes 10,000 Round Endurance Testing

Palm Pistol

New Jersey --(Ammoland.com)- PALM PISTOL – As reported in our last update, the physical design and safety testing of the first working prototype was completed.

A financial review by our accounting professionals recommended that we reduce our initial production run from 1000 to 500 units. This will have a positive effect on projected cash flow and allow for a more orderly introduction of the product.

After considering several production options such as licensing, equity investors and others, we decided to approach the three primary manufacturing specialties to form a consortium to bring the Palm Pistol(r) to market.

The proposed consortium agreement provides that the three key suppliers contribute the materials, workmanship and parts necessary for an intial production run of 500 Palm Pistol’s(r) in exchange for a phased payment of the value contributed plus interest on that value, secured by collateral. The agreement is currently under discussion and the details are being negotiated.

Concurrently, we have submitted the full working prototype to ATF for additional review concerning the classification of the “as cast” receiver as a non-firearm. If ATF rules as we expect, it will allow the raw investment casting to be produced by a non-licensed manufacturer. The finish machining however will have to be performed by an ATF 07 licensee. A response from ATF is expected within a month or two.

We have received many inquiries concerning the projected retail cost of the finished product. In 2008, based purely on good faith estimates and some guesswork, we projected a retail cost of approximately $300. It is now clear this was overly optimistic. While we still are not in a position to determine the final retail price, since all our costs are not yet finalized, we now estimate the cost will be above $600 retail.

We currently have pre-production deposits of $25 for each of 313 units. If any customer who has submitted a deposit is unwilling to pay this estimated cost, please let us know immediately and your deposit will be promptly refunded. Conversely, if anyone who has not submitted a deposit and would like to reserve one or more of the remaining 187 units, kindly submit a check for $25 per unit reserved, made payable to Constitution Arms. Mailing address is 12 Hoffman Street, Maplewood, NJ 07040. These will be reserved on a first come first served basis. Reservations by phone, email or credit card will not be accepted. If deposits are received for more than the remaining 187 units, customers will have the option of being placed on the list for the second production run or having their deposit returned.

TRI-COR AMMUNITION
In our last update, we announced the availablity of a multi-projectile .38 special cartridge specifically designed for the Palm Pistol(r), snub nosed revolvers and and Bond Arm(r) handguns. There was a delay in shipping these due in part to an error by our trademark attorney who failed to identify that the former name Tri-Plex(r) was registered to a Swiss company. This forced us to rename the product to Tri-Cor(tm), preprint the packaging materials and revise the Palm Pistol website. The product is now shipping. Since this ammunition does not lend itself to automated assembly and the load is extremely sensitive to any variation, it must be hand loaded and as such, availability will be limited.

We commissioned high speed video of the Tri-Cor(tm) being fired at 10 feet from a S&W Model 60 with 2 inch barrel into 10% ballistic gel. This is posted at http://cts.vresp.com/c/?ConstitutionArms/bd4c52373a/94aa85caca/35b8ff2bd5 and clearly supports our findings that it produces a ballistic wound channel up to 49% larger than a comparable hollow point projectile. The video has sound so be certain to turn on your speakers.

If any customers wish to order Tri-Cor(tm), please fill out the order form on the website. Please note that we are advised by legal counsel that as a New Jersey company, we can only directly ship ammunition to another FFL. We realize this is an inconvenience but prudence dictates this requirement.

Again, our thanks for your patience and we will provide additional updates as appropriate.

Constitution Arms 12 Hoffman St. Maplewood, New Jersey 07040-1114 US

Letters to the AmmoLand Editor: Got something on your mind? Let us know and you can see it here.

MAPLEWOOD, NJ --(Ammoland.com)- Dear Mr. Snow:

Your recent review posted at www.outdoorlife.com/blogs/gun-shots/2011/04/strange-guns-palm-pistol is highly critical of my design. The single shot Palm Pistol(r) has several advantages over a traditionally configured defensive handgun.

1. Most defensive uses of handguns take place within extremely close range, often less than five feet. A single well placed shot at point blank or close range to a vital area can have more “stopping power” (an ill-defined and often misapplied concept) than a series of shots some of which undoubtedly will miss and potentially injure an unintended target. As I often state, a .22 caliber hit has more stopping power than a .45 caliber miss.

2. Revolvers and semi-automatics have externally moving parts (cylinders, hammers and slides). These can potentially hang up on clothing if an attempt is made to fire them from within clothing or a pocket. The Palm Pistol has no such disadvantage and does not require a pocket holster. 3. Seniors or disabled can be physically weak and easily overpowered by an attacker. A multi-shot firearm can be taken from the defender and used against them. A single shot gun would eliminate that concern. If coupled with use of the multiple projectile Tri-Plex(tm) cartridge I designed which produces up to 49% larger ballistic wound than a JHP (see www.palmpistol.com/triplex.html) and with less recoil, the ostensible single shot disadvantage is overcome. It is also very fast to reload with practice.

4. I have had several senior and disabled students who lacked the physical strength or ability to rack the slide on even a Walther P22 and certainly could not load cartridges into a magazine, even assisted by speed loader. If someone is missing an index finger on their dominant hand, how would you propose they fire a traditional handgun? I know you do not mean to suggest these handicapped defenseless people should not be afforded a useful tool to defend themselves.

5. The Palm Pistol(r) bore centerline is coincident with that of the forearm resulting in not just a low bore axis, but a zero bore axis. I have personally fired the prototype and there is no muzzle rise due to recoil. This makes it easier and more comfortable for those with muscular weakness to fire it.

6. There is no reason the Palm Pistol needs to “look like a gun”. If, God forbid, a person needs to draw their firearm in self-defense, it must by law only be when threatened with imminent deadly harm. If you have time for brandishing or a warning shot, the prosecutor will argue (and very likely successfully) the threat was not imminent. As the saying goes “act in haste, repent at leisure.” When ANY gun is drawn, it had better be because your life is in immediate danger, and in that case, who cares what it looks like?

There are many other arguments to be made in favor of my design, but to conclude, I have received literally thousands of emails from seniors and disabled all over the world thanking me for designing a product specially tailored to their needs. A 17 page compilation of just some of their comments is posted at www.palmpistol.com/links/WhatPeopleAreSaying.pdf.

Palm Pistol – What People Are Saying

I also have over 300 units presold with deposits and over 2100 individuals who have registered for more information when the firearm is on the market. I also have had many inquiries from law enforcement who see utility as a highly concealable and ambidextrous backup gun for thwarting a gun grab.

The Palm Pistol(r) and seniors with guns have been the butt of ignorant jokes by many including Jay Leno (The Tonight Show) and Greg Gutfeld (Fox Red Eye) and others.

With luck and continued perseverance, I hope to be laughing all the way to the bank, in spite of the naysayers.

Constitution Arms Tri-Plex Multi-Projectile .38 spl Cartridge

Palm Pistol

MAPLEWOOD, NJ - -(Ammoland.com)- Constitution Arms has completed its development of the ultra low recoil Tri-Plex(tm) cartridge. The round was developed in cooperation with the powder manufacturer and was subjected to in-house and independent laboratory testing.

The Tri-Plex is a patent pending triple-projectile .38 special standard load cartridge containing three stacked conical projectiles which at close range deliver a 158 grain payload that reliably separates and tumbles upon entering tissue. This provides similar energy transfer and physiological effect to an expanded semi-wadcutter hollow point (SWC-HP) bullet, but with significant improvements including a larger ballistic wound channel, greater hit probability, lower velocity and less recoil.

This makes it ideal for use with the Palm Pistol and other short barreled self-defense firearms such as snub nosed revolvers and Bond Arms handguns.

Principle findings, based on testing, were:

1. The Tri-Plex(tm) creates up to 49% larger ballistic wound channel than a standard load SWC-HP cartridge.
2. The Tri-Plex(tm) creates up to 11% larger ballistic wound channel than a +P SWC-HP cartridge
3. The Tri-Plex(tm) has a 200% greater hit probability and ballistic wound channel at 10 feet than an un-expanded single projectile cartidge.

Detailed test results, including external and terminal ballistics data, can be viewed at below:

The cartridge will be available for sale mid-April 2011. Advanced orders can be placed now on the Palm Pistol(r) website at www.cts.vresp.com/c/?ConstitutionArms/defd9c8841/94aa85caca/41a1313b02. Quantities will be limited.

Matt Carmel, President Constitution Arms mcarmel@constitutionarms.com www.palmpistol.com

Tri-Plex Multi-Projectile 38 Spl Cartridge

About:
The Palm Pistol is an ergonomically innovative single shot double action only defensive firearm chambered in 9mm that may be fired using either hand without regard to orientation of the stock. Suited for home defense, concealed carry or as a backup gun. 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. Visit: www.palmpistol.com

Palm Pistol Completes Drop Testing

Palm Pistol

MAPLEWOOD, NJ --(Ammoland.com)- After months of design and multiple latch safety iterations, the drop test was successfully completed. The test involved dropping the working prototype, loaded with a primed casing, onto each of its six cardinal directions (muzzle, rear of stock, latch side, barrel hinge side and two trigger sides) from a five foot height onto steel plate without the gun firing.

The gun was dropped under two configurations. These were “normally cocked” and “latch safety engaged” condition. The latch side drop with latch safety engaged proved to be the crux that made the test so difficult and time consuming. An additional latch safety overrotation spring was added which enabled the latch and the latch safety to work independently of each other and proved to be the key to passing the test. This installation required modifications of the latch, latch safety and receiver.

Another issue that surfaced during endurance testing was light strikes of the primer. This was resolved by design of a custom striker guide rod spring with a higher spring rate. The protoype now fires 100% reliably.

The completion of the design work, finite element analysis (computer simulations), working prototype build, 10,000 round/100 proof load endurance test and drop test means we now have a fully tested and developed product nearly ready for production.

There is a punch list of about 30 items involving ergonomics, tolerancing, finish, and other matters that came to light as a result of the endurance testing and which will need to be addressed. A small and large backstrap that bolts to the rear of the stock have been designed which add .50 and .75 inches of the depth respectively. This will allow custom fitting of the gun to the user’s hand. The part count currently stands at 67 including the optional thread protector and Picatinny rail.

Although we did not meet our self-imposed deadline of being in production by the end of 2010, this was missed for several reasons.

First, the computer simulations initially estimated to take 1-2 weeks ultimately took three months. Second, the prototype build originally estimated at five weeks took an additional three months. Finally, the drop test proved to be more challenging than anticipated and ultimately required over five months of work.

Once the punch list items and production drawings are complete, we can obtain final price quotes from the various machine shop specialties such as investment casting, injection molding, Swiss screw machining and wire EDM. Administrative tasks will follow including insurance, legal review, package design and the all important production financing. We dare not hazard another guess as to when we will finally start production but we hope it will be sometime this year.

Two additional milestones were achieved. First was the issuance by the USPTO of the Palm Pistol (r) design patent number D628,259S dated November 30, 2010. And second, USPTO issued a Notice of Allowance

(NOA) for the utility patent. This first action allowance of all 23 claims were accepted as filed with no prosecution following examination.

This means the patent is very strong with respect to the allowed claims. The design is indeed unique!

We have also been making significant progress on the Tri-Plex ™ multi-projectile .38 special low recoil cartridge specifically designed for the Palm Pistol (r), Bond Arms (r) handguns and snub nose revolvers. The top and base bullets have been designed and swaged.

Powder selection and load have been developed, measurement and assembly equipment purchased, test shots fired to quantify chamber pressures in accordance with SAAMI specifications and bullet spread/velocities measured. QA/QC procedures are being developed and reviewed in consultation with an independent certified ballistic testing laboratory. Clamshell packaging has been purchased.

Labeling design and research on shipping procedures are nearly complete. The Tri-Plex ™ will come to market before the Palm Pistol (r) and revenue from that endeavor will be plowed back into firearm production. A letter was issued by our attorney Steve Halbrook that opines the Tri-Plex ™ is permissible under existing ATF regulations.

Your continued patience is appreciated. We will communicate again when there is additional significant progress to report.

About:
The Palm Pistol is an ergonomically innovative single shot double action only defensive firearm chambered in 9mm that may be fired using either hand without regard to orientation of the stock. Suited for home defense, concealed carry or as a backup gun. 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. Visit: www.palmpistol.com

Palm Pistol Completes 10,000 Round Endurance Testing

Palm Pistol

MAPLEWOOD, NJ - -(AmmoLand.com)- Endurance testing of the Palm Pistol prototype was completed in August, 2010.

The procedure consisted of firing 10,000 standard rounds and 100 proof loads. Every 500 rounds, the gun was completely disassembled and subjected to wet fluorescent magnetic particle inspection (MPI) by an ASTM certified non-destructive testing laboratory.

The five structurally critical components (barrel, latch, receiver, barrel pivot pin and latch pivot pin) all withstood the test and passed with “no indications found.” Findings concluded the design was robust and structurally safe. The next task is the drop test. There were some functional/ergonomic issues that surfaced which will be addressed in the production model.

We have started the process of obtaining production quotes from the various manufacturing specialties such as investment casting, wire EDM, plastics injection molding, stamping, etc.

We do not yet have an estimate on production start date or retail cost.

Palm Pistol Completes 10,000 Round Endurance Testing

Concurrently, we are exploring the development of a multi-projectile .38 special cartridge optimized for the Palm Pistol. This will be suitable for other short barreled self-defense firearms such as Derringers and snub nosed revolvers.

About:
The Palm Pistol is an ergonomically innovative single shot double action only defensive firearm chambered in 9mm that may be fired using either hand without regard to orientation of the stock. Suited for home defense, concealed carry or as a backup gun. 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. Visit: www.palmpistol.com

Palm Pistol First Working Prototype

Palm Pistol

MAPLEWOOD, NJ - -(AmmoLand.com)- After four months of finite element analysis (FEA), numerous design challenges and even some recent political issues, the first working prototype of the Palm Pistol® is under construction!

Delivery of the completed unit is expected within 4-6 weeks after which extensive endurance testing will begin.

A photograph of the current embodiment in the form of a rapid plastic prototype is on the cover page of the Palm Pistol® Specification document (PalmPistolSpecification.pdf) posted on the Palm Pistol® website.

You can also see the prototype  in this news segment video from the Newark Star Ledger.

A summary of current design changes include:

1. Chambering was modified from 9mm to .38 special in order to provide a rimmed case for extraction.
2. Construction will be primarily 4140 steel.
3. Barrel wall thickness, barrel tab, barrel hinge pin, latch, latch pin, receiver and frame were all increased in dimension and mass to provide greater margins of safety.
4. Threaded muzzle was increased from ½ x 28 to 5/8 X 24 to compensate for increased barrel OD.
5. Final incorporated safety features include two independently operable grip safeties, two trigger covers, latch safety, striker block, cocked striker indicator, loaded chamber indicator, disengaged sear block and hand guard.
6. The three-digit combination lock was eliminated to reduce production costs and time to market.

As always, feel free to contact me with any questions. Your continued patience and interest is appreciated.

About:
The Palm Pistol is an ergonomically innovative single shot double action only defensive firearm chambered in 9mm that may be fired using either hand without regard to orientation of the stock. Suited for home defense, concealed carry or as a backup gun. 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.

Palm Pistol

Palm Pistol

MAPLEWOOD, NJ - -(AmmoLand.com)- It has been several months since we last communicated with you concerning the development status of the Palm Pistol. Interest in the product remains high with well over 400 pre-production units reserved. We are working diligently in an effort to bring it to market by late 2010 as originally anticipated. Here are some highlights of our achievements to date:

1. On October 6, 2009 the USPTO granted trademark protection to the product name PALM PISTOL. Design and utility patents and trademark registration for CONSTITUTION ARMS are pending.
2. Critical components including the frame, barrel, receiver, latch, latch pin and barrel hinge pin are being evaluated and further refined using finite element analysis.
3. The barrel was re-chambered from 9 mm, a rimless cartridge to the rimmed .38 special. This was necessary to achieve ejection rather than extraction of the casing after firing. Additional chamberings may be considered after successful release of the first model.
4. The threaded muzzle was increased from ½ x 28 to 5/8 x 24 to accommodate increased barrel wall thickness.
5. The integral three-digit combination lock was eliminated. This feature proved to be inordinately expensive and would have increased the Palm Pistol’s retail cost and development time. It may be reintroduced at a later time based on customer feedback.
6. The estimated unloaded weight of the Palm Pistol was calculated to be 14 ounces, subject to change.
7. Completion of specification drawings for all components is anticipated later this year at which time we will be seeking bids from our suppliers for producing the first set of working prototypes.

We appreciate your patience and know you realize how difficult it is to bring a new product to market in the highly regulated area of firearms, current economic conditions notwithstanding.

About:
The Palm Pistol is an ergonomically innovative single shot double action only defensive firearm chambered in 9mm that may be fired using either hand without regard to orientation of the stock. Suited for home defense, concealed carry or as a backup gun. 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.

Palm Pistol In Advanced Design Phase

Maplewood, NJ – -(AmmoLand.com)- The Palm Pistol™, an ergonomically unique single-shot self-defense handgun conceived with seniors, disabled and others having limited strength or dexterity in mind, is in the advanced stages of final design.

The inventor, Matthew Carmel, President of Constitution Arms, reported the company is in discussion with potential manufacturers, and may be able to produce working prototypes in late 2009.

In addition to its novel ergonomic shape, the Palm Pistol™ incorporates 10 distinct safety features including:

• Two Triggers Covers
• Hand Guard
• Two Independently Operable Grip Safeties
• Safety Sear
• Striker Safety
• Striker Biasing Spring
• Latch Safety
• Loaded Chamber Indicator
• Cocked Striker Indicator
• Integral Combination Lock

The initial offering of the Palm Pistol™ will be chambered in .38 special. The Palm Pistol™ received international media attention in late 2008 when it was initially listed by the FDA as a “medical device.”

The designation was subsequently withdrawn by the agency following objections from the Brady Campaign to Prevent Handgun Violence. Patents are pending for the Palm Pistol™. Production may begin in 2010.

Discounted pre-production reservations for over 400 units have been received to date and are still being accepted. See additional details at www.palmpistol.com.

About:
The Palm Pistol is an ergonomically innovative single shot double action only defensive firearm chambered in 9mm that may be fired using either hand without regard to orientation of the stock. Suited for home defense, concealed carry or as a backup gun. 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.

Palm Pistol

MAPLEWOOD, NJ - -(AmmoLand.com)- The following is a brief status report on development of the Palm Pistol.

The response to the design has been very encouraging. Mainstream media and trade press stories coupled with the gun’s initial designation by the FDA as a medical device, created widespread domestic and international publicity. As a result, we received 417 pre-production reservations to date. Several well known gun magazines have informed us they are eager to conduct a detailed review of our prototypes as soon as they become available.

Palm Pistol

We are currently engaged in Phase 1 design work consisting of the dual triggers, grip safeties, striker, cocking mechanism and breech access latch. We are also engaged in intellectual property protection activities, including completion of patents pending and securing trademark protection.

We are engaged in promising discussions with several small arms manufacturers regarding bringing the Palm Pistol to market. We are working toward the goal of creating prototypes late in 2009 with deliveries sometime in 2010, although a number of factors could change this timeline.

We will keep you posted as we progress. As always, please feel free to contact us with additional questions.

Matt Carmel

About:
The Palm Pistol is an ergonomically innovative single shot double action only defensive firearm chambered in 9mm that may be fired using either hand without regard to orientation of the stock. Suited for home defense, concealed carry or as a backup gun. 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.

Constitution Arms Palm Pistol

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 414.202

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’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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