140 • Zips, Pipes, BATF official holds out a converted pengun and a cigarette for size comparison. (Courtesy of BATF J most of the world's cities, and penguns remain popular with these off-paper purchasers, a.k.a. street-gang hitters. According to New York Police Department (NYPD) annual crime statistical reports, in 1980, one of every 25 firearms confiscated was a pengun of some sort, ranging from the crude rubber band models to the well-machined high-tech finishes. By 1990, one of every 17 firearms was a pengun. A footnote added that by 1990, most were quality designs built by professional machinists. In a 1989 order sent to all commands, the NYPD Police Commissioner's staff warned officers that at least one illegal gun factory was turning out a variety of professionally finished penguns in both .22-caliber and 9mm. The street price was reported to be only $60. According to BATF regulations, penguns are registered as 'any other weapons' and are transferred on a Form 4 with payment of a $5 transfer tax. Only Class III dealers can handle sales and transfers of these types of firearms, by the way. A regular FFL license does not qualify an individual to transact business in this category of firearm. BATF would like laws to ban the possession of penguns altogether, according to most agents with whom I've spoken.