Pen gun found among 164 firearms at SI buyback program

The homemade pen gun found at the Staten Island buyback program.


This pen truly is mightier than the sword.

A homemade, single-shot “pen gun” with a .22-caliber round still loaded in its tiny chamber was among the 164 firearms turned in for cash at a buyback program held in a Staten Island church, stunned authorities announced yesterday.

It is the first weapon of its type to be surrendered in the history of the three-year citywide program – a joint venture between the NYPD, the five borough district attorneys and clergymembers that has taken more than 7,000 guns off the streets.

The owner of the powerful, pintsized pistol – which more closely resembles a tire pressure gauge – was given a $200 bank card, as was anyone else handing over an operable handgun during Saturday’s event at St. Philip’s Baptist Church in Port Richmond. All gun donors were granted anonymity.

Also included in the impressive haul was a Nazi officer’s 1939 Luger P08 with an authentic SS seal, said a spokesman for DA Daniel Donovan.

The jet black German gun – considered a prized piece among collectors of military paraphernalia – was still capable of firing.

Each one of these weapons, in the wrong hands, represented an opportunity for tragedy,” Donovan said.

Along with money for handguns, anyone giving up a rifle, shotgun, BB gun or air pistol fetched a $20 bank card.

Participants were allowed to surrender an unlimited number of guns, but were only paid for three.