Ideal Conceal

{{Infobox weapon

| name = Ideal Conceal

| image = Ideal Conceal, Inc. Monticello, MN – IC380 CAL. 380 ACP (open).jpg

| image_size =

| alt =

| caption = Ideal Conceal, Inc. Monticello, MN – IC380 CAL. 380 ACP (open configuration)

| type = Pocket pistol

| origin = United States

| is_ranged = yes

| designer = Kirk Kjellberg

| design_date =

| manufacturer = Ideal Conceal, Inc.

| unit_cost =

| production_date = 2018–2022

| number =

| variants =

| spec_label =

| weight = {{cvt|18.3|oz|g}} unloaded

| length = {{cvt|5.5|in|mm}}

| part_length = {{cvt|3.5|in|mm}}{{cite web |title=Classification of a folding pistol design |url=https://www.idealconceal.com/support-documents/PistolClassification.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180713072542/https://www.idealconceal.com/support-documents/PistolClassification.pdf |url-status=dead |archive-date=July 13, 2018 |publisher=Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives |access-date=2018-07-12 }}

| width = {{cvt|.75|in|mm}}

| height = {{cvt|3|in|mm}} folded
{{cvt|5.1875|in|mm}} open

| cartridge = .380 ACP or 9mm Luger

| barrels = 2

| action = Break Action

| rate =

| velocity =

| range =

| feed = Tip-up barrel

| sights = Fixed

| ref = {{cite web |url=https://www.personaldefenseworld.com/2018/07/ideal-conceal-cell-phone-pistol/ |title=NOW SHIPPING: The Ideal Conceal Folding Cell Phone Pistol |website=personaldefenseworld.com |date=July 11, 2018 |access-date=December 25, 2019}}

}}

The Ideal Conceal was a pocket pistol with a folding pistol grip. When folded and unable to fire, the pistol mimics the appearance of a smartphone. It was made by Ideal Conceal Inc., of Monticello, MN.{{cite web|url=http://www.mysuncoast.com/news/national/gun-that-looks-like-a-cellphone-will-be-featured-at/article_7facffdd-4c07-5108-9f39-a680d0739c97.html|title=Gun that looks like a cellphone will be featured at NRA annual meeting|first=RNN|last=Staff|publisher=WWSB MySuncoast|date=May 1, 2018|access-date=2018-05-05|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180502064533/http://www.mysuncoast.com/news/national/gun-that-looks-like-a-cellphone-will-be-featured-at/article_7facffdd-4c07-5108-9f39-a680d0739c97.html|archive-date=May 2, 2018|url-status=dead}} The Ideal Conceal drew attention and criticism because of concerns over the resemblance to a smart phone and possible legal and safety issues with law enforcement.{{cite web|url=https://www.mediamatters.org/blog/2018/05/04/gun-looks-cellphone-isnt-only-tone-deaf-thing-display-nra-annual-meeting/220111|title=A gun that looks like a cellphone isn't the only tone deaf thing on display at the NRA annual meeting|date=May 4, 2018|author=Cydney Hargis & Timothy Johnson|publisher=Media Matters for America|access-date=2018-05-05}}{{cite web|url=https://www.nraam.org/attend/featured-product-center|title=NRA Annual Meetings: Featured Product Center & Demo Area|access-date=2018-05-05|publisher=National Rifle Association of America}} Due primarily to supply chain strains and component issues, the company ceased production and shut down in 2022.{{cite web|url=https://www.guns.com/news/2022/06/15/cellphone-gun-maker-ideal-conceal-shuts-down|title='Cellphone Gun' Maker Ideal Conceal Shuts Down|access-date=2022-07-30|date=June 15, 2022|author=Chris Eger|publisher=guns.com}}

Description

The Ideal Conceal pistol consisted of a derringer-style handgun containing two barrels, chambered for either .380 ACP or 9mm.{{cite web |last1=Reeves |first1=James |title=The Cell Phone Gun from Ideal Conceal: Now in 9mm |url=https://www.thefirearmblog.com/blog/2021/07/06/the-cell-phone-gun-from-ideal-conceal-now-in-9mm/ |website=www.thefirearmblog.com |date=6 July 2021 |publisher=TFB |access-date=6 February 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210706131919/https://www.thefirearmblog.com/blog/2021/07/06/the-cell-phone-gun-from-ideal-conceal-now-in-9mm |archive-date=2021-07-06 |url-status=live}} The primary color option available was black, with a plastic exterior and metal core.{{cite web|url=https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/company-invents-gun-folds-look-cellphone-n547221|title=Company Invents Gun That Folds Up to Look Like a Cellphone|publisher=NBC News|author=Elizabeth Chuck|date=March 29, 2016|access-date=2018-05-05|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160329160557/https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/company-invents-gun-folds-look-cellphone-n547221|archive-date=2016-03-29|url-status=live}} Ideal Conceal pistols were around the same size as a Samsung Galaxy S7 and had a handle that collapsed to give it the appearance of a mobile phone when not in use. When folded, it locked so that it could not be fired. The pistol grip itself acted as a safety and was held in place with a detent. To ready the gun, the pistol grip must be manually swung open, at which point the firearm takes on the appearance of a conventional handgun, meeting the requirements of a pistol under the National Firearms Act.

Reception

The National Rifle Association of America described it on their website, saying, "The Cellphone Pistol offers a great option for self-defense along with max concealment" and "The shape will not print as a pistol, yet can be drawn and fired quickly."{{cite web|url=http://www.newsweek.com/parkland-guns-nra-cell-phone-907674|title=Parkland Student Slams NRA for Promoting Gun That Looks Like Cell Phone on Website|author=Maria Perez|date=May 1, 2018|publisher=Newsweek|access-date=2018-05-05|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180502040507/http://www.newsweek.com/parkland-guns-nra-cell-phone-907674|archive-date=2018-05-02|url-status=live}} Gun control activist Jaclyn Corin criticized the gun, saying that it will cause the police to target more people. There have also been concerns about children mistaking the Ideal Conceal for a real mobile phone.

In 2016, Senator Chuck Schumer called the gun a "...disaster waiting to happen." and said that it could be potentially illegal in the United States under the current gun laws, and would talk to the Justice Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF).{{cite web|url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/gun-that-looks-like-iphone-draws-senators-ire/|title=Gun that looks like iPhone draws senator's ire|publisher=CBS News|date=April 4, 2016|agency=Associated Press|access-date=2018-05-05|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160405091935/https://www.cbsnews.com/news/gun-that-looks-like-iphone-draws-senators-ire/|archive-date=2016-04-05|url-status=live}} In 2017, the ATF classified the Ideal Conceal design as a regular pistol.

Gallery

File:Ideal Conceal, Inc. Monticello, MN – IC380 CAL. 380 ACP (open).jpg|IC380 Handgun/Pistol (open configuration)

File:Ideal Conceal, Inc. Monticello, MN IC380 CAL. 380 ACP Handgun Pistol in closed configuration.jpg|IC380 Handgun/Pistol (closed configuration)

References

{{reflist|30em}}