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Officials, common sense warn against the use of gun-shaped iPhone cases

Update: eBay told 9to5Mac via email that it recently started removing listings for gun-shaped iPhone cases due to their violation of the company’s replica gun policy. eBay also noted that the cases pose a safety threat to consumers.

The New York Times reports that police officials around the United States are speaking out against a wave of gun-shaped iPhone cases that are gaining popularity. The cases, which are available in black, white, and pink, are mostly imported from Asia and are causing concern for police departments. Officials are urging users not to purchase the accessory, citing the confusion it causes for police officials.

The New Jersey State Police are being especially vocal about the cases, posting on Facebook of how it is a “terrible idea” and should not be endorsed. “Officers do not have the luxury of time when making split-second decisions,” the department wrote on Facebook. Also in New Jersey, the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office warns against the accessory, again pointing out that an officer’s job is hard enough without this added layer of confusion.

The New York Police Department has also taken to social media to advise iPhone users not to purchase the gun-shaped iPhone case, posting on Twitter that it is not recommended to purchase the accessory.

Amazon has blocked sales of the accessory already and federal legislators are urging other online retailers like eBay to act similarly. Federal law requires that toy guns be outfitted with an orange mark at the end of their barrel, but these cases do not feature that indicator. For that reason, officials are working to block the cases from being imported into the United States.

The repercussions of confusion surrounding the gun-shaped iPhone case are obvious and potentially fatal, so it’s somewhat relieving to see officials speaking out against use of the cases, despite it seeming like common sense to avoid them in the first place.

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Comments

  1. AeronPeryton - 9 years ago

    The police have no right to curtail Darwinism. Just be quiet and let nature run its course.

    • standardpull - 9 years ago

      The police think this is a bad idea because it simply leaves them without a lucrative union job.

      Every American should know that the right to bear arms extends to faux arms. After all, let’s say you see a criminal that might want to rob you, but your favorite weapon is in the shop for a modification and you’re out of ammo for your backup. Well, this little beauty of a smartphone case may convince such a loser that your rights of living without fear is to not be violated.

      Sure, you couldn’t actually kill with this. But you could genuinely put yourself in a safer situation. That criminal-looking guy that cut you off and gave you the finger will never do it again. Your little lady who might be acting out will treat you with more respect. Those neighborhood kids will never knock on your door on Halloween. And then we can finally you can live in peace and freedom.

      • patthecarnut - 9 years ago

        Or it could, let’s say, I dunno, get you killed since you can’t fire back if (insert perp here) decides to shoot first then steal your iPhone.

      • bboysupaman - 9 years ago

        No lie. I legitimately thought you were serious for a second. Lol.

  2. This is a hugely stupid idea. Some will buy this and end up getting shot by a cop during a confusing altercation. And, the worst thing is they’ll end up suing the PD and probably settling out of court. Tax payers end up paying for it somehow. This has already happened.

  3. patthecarnut - 9 years ago

    As a famous comedian says “here’s your sign”

  4. Thomas Yoon - 9 years ago

    This is probably the dumbest accessory I’ve ever seen, congratulations. It would take quite a bit of effort to make something so unnecessary and downright awful.

  5. Knock Off Nerd - 9 years ago

    I recently bought one of these and as the article states eBay has remove that listing so I can’t leave any feedback. If interested I wrote a review of it available at http://knockoffnerd.com/2015/07/08/iphone-gun-grip-case/

  6. RobAlex - 9 years ago

    What idiot would manufacture something like this?

Author

Avatar for Chance Miller Chance Miller

Chance is an editor for the entire 9to5 network and covers the latest Apple news for 9to5Mac.

Tips, questions, typos to chance@9to5mac.com