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Main Forums => The Roundtable => Topic started by: Firethorn on December 04, 2008, 03:05:33 PM

Title: Pistol declared a medical device!
Post by: Firethorn on December 04, 2008, 03:05:33 PM
Prescription Handgun (http://www.medgadget.com/archives/2008/12/medicare_to_cover_prescription_handguns.html)

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We recently reported about a new 9mm handgun that was designed for folks suffering from arthritis and other disabilities affecting the hands. Constitution Arms, the manufacturer of the firearm, is reporting that the FDA has formally designated the gun as a medical gadget.

Holy heck!  Maybe I need to see about Grandpa getting one of these.  Though I wonder when a semiautomatic version will come out.   :laugh:
Title: Re: Pistol declared a medical device!
Post by: MillCreek on December 04, 2008, 03:15:15 PM
I was curious, Googled and found this: www.palmpistol.com
Title: Re: Pistol declared a medical device!
Post by: zahc on December 04, 2008, 05:23:44 PM
http://idle.slashdot.org/article.pl?sid=08/12/04/0433234 (http://idle.slashdot.org/article.pl?sid=08/12/04/0433234)

I'm not sure what to think.
Title: Re: Pistol declared a medical device!
Post by: Firethorn on December 04, 2008, 07:12:50 PM
One problem I have with it is that it doesn't look to have any aiming system and it's too large for a derringer, the only advantage is that it looks large enough to have a full size barrel.

Still, given only one shot I would have gone for .45 or .357 over 9mm.
Title: Re: Pistol declared a medical device!
Post by: zahc on December 04, 2008, 08:59:57 PM
I'm surprised this isn't a more popular topic considering medicaid and so on will be paying for it. Plus, what are the legalities? As a medical device, does it have to be sold through FFL? Is it a DD? AOW?
Title: Re: Pistol declared a medical device!
Post by: Marvin Dao on December 04, 2008, 11:40:10 PM
I'm surprised this isn't a more popular topic considering medicaid and so on will be paying for it. Plus, what are the legalities? As a medical device, does it have to be sold through FFL? Is it a DD? AOW?

It's type classified as a pistol by the ATF. Only real question was if it'd get classified as an AOW since it doesn't look like most other pistols on the market.

The medical device classification open the possibility of a person with a disability that prevents them from using a standard pistol could get receive some form of reimbursement for the pistol from whatever health coverage they have. It is unlikely that any insurance company (or the fed.gov for that matter) would actually cover this though, least without some sort of lawsuit or legal fight.

It's interesting, but $300 for a largish 9mm single shot pistol is noncompetitive. I'm kinda surprised the maker didn't spend the couple of bucks it would have taken to provide an integral laser sight tied into the grip safety.
Title: Re: Pistol declared a medical device!
Post by: Firethorn on December 05, 2008, 04:37:23 PM
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Only real question was if it'd get classified as an AOW since it doesn't look like most other pistols on the market.

So they ended up declaring it a regular pistol?

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I'm kinda surprised the maker didn't spend the couple of bucks it would have taken to provide an integral laser sight tied into the grip safety.

I'd have to agree.  The firearm, as is, lacks a good aiming system.
Title: Re: Pistol declared a medical device!
Post by: Marvin Dao on December 05, 2008, 04:42:02 PM
So they ended up declaring it a regular pistol?

Yep, it's a regular pistol. AOW classfication would really kill any market viability this thing has.
Title: Re: Pistol declared a medical device!
Post by: Cliff47 on December 05, 2008, 04:59:27 PM
I have always considered a pistol (for recreational shooting) to be an excellent stress reduction tool, and I don't need a prescription to get one...
Title: Re: Pistol declared a medical device!
Post by: Harold Tuttle on December 05, 2008, 11:28:20 PM
(https://armedpolitesociety.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.genitron.com%2FUnique%2Fpalm-pistol-b.jpg&hash=c719529b7bd0ea8e1955ebf75127e90964bc24dd)

http://www.genitron.com/unique20.html
Title: Re: Pistol declared a medical device!
Post by: Fjolnirsson on December 05, 2008, 11:46:53 PM
So they ended up declaring it a regular pistol?

I'd have to agree.  The firearm, as is, lacks a good aiming system.

With one shot and one shot only, you'd have to be nuts to take "aim", given that this weapon is intended for the frail. You wait until you see the whites of his eyes, then you jam it against a vital spot and fire.
Title: Re: Pistol declared a medical device!
Post by: neviander on December 06, 2008, 12:41:52 AM
If this ever saw any serious light, they'd repeal that decision REAL quick.  Ha, can you imagine getting a coupon for a Glock from Uncle Sam?  :laugh: