A compact single-use firearm that plugs into a USB port.

When sent an approriate command, the pyrotechnic igniter uses the USB 5v supply to initiate the propellant charge. This could be a perchlorate composition which would be undetectable by all current technology.

The projectile would be a SiAlON sphere or bullet, or could be a ceramic flechette in a plastic sabot.

The device would give relatively poor accuracy, but could exhibit acceptable lethality similar to a conventional handgun round.

Fabrication could be achieved using a 3D printer, and/or repurposed materials.

It would be possible to integrate the unit into a webcam, allowing remote verification of the target before firing.
-- 8th of 7, Jan 19 2015

I was thinking carbon fibre shuriken, which could be spun up in an cd/dvd drive then by pressing F8 and Shift at the same ejected towards the enemy.

No, I'm not trying it out myself. Be my guest.
-- not_morrison_rm, Jan 19 2015


NICE choice of category.
-- normzone, Jan 19 2015


Yes, since there's no Computer:Weapon category, it seemed appropriate.

Game:First Person Shooter just didn't fit the requirement, as (a0 it's not a game - far from it - and (b) it's actually a second-person shooter.

Actually, that would make a great plot device for an episode of CSI. … MMORPG gamers being found dead in front of their monitors with little round holes in their foreheads and the backs blown out of their heads … and the videos of their deaths posted online …
-- 8th of 7, Jan 19 2015


<later>

We declare this mostly Baked and most entertaining.

Accurate up to 5m and potentially lethal up to 50m.

The recoil tends to destroy the USB port, though. A flying lead and a clamp is the preferred solution.

All that is now required to completely Bake this is a bit of interfacing circuitry so that it will "fire on command" instead of simply triggering when the 5V supply is switched on.
-- 8th of 7, Jan 20 2015


Sounds like a good job for an arduino board.
-- RayfordSteele, Jan 20 2015


Was the prototype in a .22 caliber or something more improvisational ?
-- normzone, Jan 20 2015


9mm Parabellum.
-- 8th of 7, Jan 20 2015


Presumably cat recognition software in the web cam - enough said...
-- DenholmRicshaw, Jan 20 2015



random, halfbakery