The concept of a firearm disguised as an everyday object is not new, but the “Key Fob Gun,” particularly the “Wasp” model, represents a stark example of weapon concealment. Manufactured by the Bulgarian company Bulforce-Milex under the designation ‘OSA20’, this device was initially marketed for self-defense, capable of firing both 8mm blank and irritant cartridges. It even included an adapter for launching pyrotechnic signal flares, adding to its seemingly innocuous nature. Originally, these devices were designed with a partial obstruction in each barrel intended to prevent projectile discharge, only allowing the venting of irritants like CS gas.
However, the deceptive facade of the key fob gun quickly dissolved as its potential for lethal modification became apparent. By May 1998, Interpol issued a global alert to airport security regarding these key fob guns, highlighting the emerging threat. Criminals and those with malicious intent soon recognized the ease with which the “Wasp” could be converted to fire live ammunition. According to the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (BATF) in the United States, a converted key fob gun firing .32 caliber bullets can inflict fatal wounds at distances up to 20 yards (18 meters).
The conversion process itself is alarmingly simple. Removing the partial blockage and fitting a steel lining into each chamber transforms the device into a functional firearm. In this altered state, it can fire conventional .32 ACP rounds and, more commonly, .25 Automatic (6.35 mm Browning) cartridges. This ease of conversion significantly amplified the danger posed by these seemingly harmless keychains.
The first documented instance of a converted key fob gun reaching the UK’s national forensic laboratory dates back to October 23, 2003. Between then and 2008, a total of 31 such weapons were recorded on the National Firearms Forensic Intelligence Database (NFFID), indicating a concerning trend in their criminal usage. Tragically, in 2005, a 19-year-old in Manchester, UK, fatally shot himself while displaying a key fob gun in a nightclub, underscoring the weapon’s real and present danger, even in accidental handling. Further demonstrating their criminal application, in December 2007, Mark Henry, 27, was sentenced to nine years in prison for wounding 24-year-old Yaw Darko Kwakye in a London nightclub using a key fob gun. The reach of these concealed weapons extended internationally, as illustrated in a December 2010 murder hearing in Istanbul. There, the defendant was seriously wounded by a 6.35 mm bullet fired by the victim’s brother, who managed to smuggle a key fob gun into the courtroom despite security measures.
From a technical standpoint, the key fob gun’s compact design is composed of two primary components: a barrel block housing two side-by-side barrels and a breech block. These are connected via a sliding dovetail mount and secured by a spring-loaded stopper situated between the chambers. The trigger mechanism utilizes two strikers and two trigger buttons. Cocking the strikers is achieved by pulling back a central connector bar with an attached keyring. A sleeve with side protrusions at the rear of this rod acts as a safety mechanism, controlling the cocking rod’s movement based on the keyring’s rotation. The rear retaining block is fastened with two side screws. The barrel and trigger blocks are constructed from aluminum alloy, while the remaining components are made of steel, highlighting a blend of lightweight materials for concealment and durable materials for function.
In conclusion, the “key fob gun,” initially designed for non-lethal purposes, became a dangerous concealed weapon due to its ease of conversion and compact design. Its presence in criminal incidents across different countries underscores the threat posed by such disguised firearms and the challenges they present to law enforcement and security agencies worldwide. The deceptive nature of the key fob gun highlights the critical need for vigilance and awareness regarding concealed weapons.
