Pen gun a banned item

KUALA LUMPUR: The ball pen gun, a device designed to look like a pen but fires deadly projectiles, is a banned item that can land those in possession of it in hot water.
Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Khalid Abu Bakar said yesterday police and other enforcement agencies are aware of such concealed firearms such as the pen gun and it is illegal to own, import or sell it.
"This pen was discovered here some 20 years ago and we have since kept a close watch on those who may attempt to bring it into the country through entry points. Those manning security at these points are aware of such pens and it would not get past security if anyone tries to bring it in.
"Even if it was carried in one's pocket, it would not get past the X-ray scanners. It is a banned item and anyone caught with it can be detained under the Firearms Act," he said.
The firearm pen surfaced in Bintulu on Sunday when a chartered van driver was killed instantly by it in a freak accident.
The man, who was earlier seen loitering near a market waiting for a passenger, was apparently carrying a ball pen gun which police believe went off accidentally, firing a projectile into his chest.
He was earlier seen loitering near a market awaiting his passengers before collapsing to the ground.
Onlookers initially thought that a small explosion they heard before the man dropped dead was from a electronic cigarette he was carrying in his hand. However, police revealed yesterday that it was not an electronic cigarette but a ball pen gun.
Khalid said the case was classified as sudden death but investigations are ongoing to determine how the deceased obtained the pen.
"Sarawak has a vast borderline, so we believe it may have been smuggled in or may have even be homemade. We are trying to determine why he was carrying it and where he got it from," he said at a press conference in Bukit Aman today.
Khalid said the case was an isolated one and the smuggling or possession of such items was neither widespread nor at a "worrying" level.