102 • Zips, Pipes, and Pens A San Quentin convict fabricated this pistol while an inmate, a point California State Senator Bill Richardson made to demonstrate the error of gun control as a workable manner of fighting crime (Courtesy of Sen. H.L Richardson, California) A silenced weapon used by an inmate in an attempted escape from San Quentin. (Courtesy of Copt HA Tobash, San Quentin State Prison.) up when lockdowns and tosses happen. Most are crude devices made from pipe, wood, springs, and tape. Most fire a single .22 round. Some years ago 1 played for a softball team that made regular visits to a state penitentiary to play an inmate team that participated in our local recreational league (theirs