• On CHOW: Sexy vampire party
January 17, 2008 7:32 AM PST

A Hello Kitty assault rifle that actually exists

by Caroline McCarthy
(Credit: RifleGear.com)

This was sent to us by a tipster. I don't normally spend my time reading RifleGear.com, but from the likes of this item, maybe I should.

Awhile back we were treated to a hilarious Photoshop job called the HK-47--an assault rifle decorated with images of everybody's favorite nonpornographic, nontentacled Japanese import, Hello Kitty. We were sad to learn that it was, well, Photoshopped.

But now, out of nowhere, here's a real one. As a protest against assault weapons bans, one rifle enthusiast in California decided to create a weapon that would "alleviate the fears of (his) fellow citizens and gun-banning legislators when (he) put together a new AR-15 for (his) wife." So he modded the AR-15 to make it baby-pink with an image of Hello Kitty holding a weapon, as well as some extra-cute cartoon flowers! Brilliant!

Unfortunately, according to certain other people who write for this blog, Hello Kitty won't make an assault rifle any less terrifying. Apparently, that cat is trying to take over the world.

Caroline McCarthy, a CNET News staff writer, is a downtown Manhattanite happily addicted to social-media tools and restaurant blogs. Her pre-CNET resume includes interning at an IT security firm and brewing cappuccinos. E-mail Caroline.
Recent posts from Crave
Magellan RoadMate 1470 is bigger, but is it better?
Apple overtakes Nokia in phone profits
Conquer the bowling alley with remote-control ball
The 404 466: Where the television will not be revolutionized
Bored with your watch? Try these puzzlers
Get 'Up' and 'Monsters, Inc.' on Blu-ray for $11
T-Mobile releases Tap
New Universal Blu-rays interact with iPhone
Add a Comment (Log in or register) (18 Comments)
  • prev
  • 1
  • next
honestly, this is much scarier
by fleurya January 17, 2008 8:08 AM PST
than a regular one. I mean nothing says "I'm a crazy person with a gun who's
willing to do anything" more than a pink automatic rifle with a child's cartoon on
it!
Reply to this comment
by SteveinTx February 7, 2009 11:16 AM PST
Considering this is NOT an automatic rifle, your point is rather mute. Besides, what makes you an authority on crazy?
it's also scarier because
by fleurya January 17, 2008 8:10 AM PST
this could be worse because I bet carrying one of these out in public would get
little attention as most people would assume it's just a weird toy. . . until you
pull the trigger.
Reply to this comment
Oh please... quit with the scaremongering
by fantasticplastic January 17, 2008 11:49 AM PST
People have harped about that back in the 80s or 90s when all toy guns had to have a bright orange tip. "Oh, well, people are just going to paint their guns orange and green to look like toy guns and go on a shooting spree."
To date, no one has ever done that. So what makes this different?
View reply
This is a *hoot*!
by i_am_ragnorok January 17, 2008 8:39 AM PST
- I can't see how the barrel would remain that light color over time, those get pretty hot during use. Otherwise it's an excellent customization ... stands out from the crowd, as it were.
- I for one would pay considerably more attention to bright pink assault rifle in public because it's an extremely unusual occurrence, even more out of the ordinary than any firearm. The normal black is easy to "hide" since it blends into darker surroundings exactly like it's designed to. But flaming pink? Can't miss that one!
- Bravo "HK-15" owner!
Reply to this comment
paint will resist heat
by rkt88edmo January 18, 2008 10:23 AM PST
The paint used is an epoxy paint that is pretty durable. People have been able to ruin it by shooting guns at very high rates - but unless you are running full auto it will hold up to the temparatures that intermittent semi-auto shooting will achieve.

See "Polane"
The Perfect Gift
by SlanderPanic January 17, 2008 12:12 PM PST
I would totally buy one for my daughter if I had a daughter. What better way to teach her the value of the Second Amendment and make her the envy of all her classmates than to train her to be an effective, safe, stylish marksman?

After she gets used to taking the 15 down to the range, maybe I'll get her a Taser C2.
Reply to this comment
No, it's a political statement
by Kamerer January 17, 2008 1:23 PM PST
It's not about appearing nutso, it's about making a comment on the continual erosion of civil rights in California, where these folks are located.

Famously, in that state sporting long guns have been banned for "appearing" dangerous or threatening, but not because they actually were so in comparison to any other long gun on the market. This is a very clever comment on the poor state of affairs for constitutional rights and public policy making in that state.
Reply to this comment
Awesome work.
by postezy January 17, 2008 3:34 PM PST
It's painted with DuraCoat. It won't melt or rub off. It's a finish designed for firearms.

He did a fantastic job. He's an interesting fellow. He also did some investigating on Sylvester Stallone (someone who claims to be a gun ban supporter) and his Concealed Weapons permit. Kind of odd that someone who's against guns wants to be able to carry them?
Reply to this comment
Arrrgghh! Incorrect Terms
by Blue Pimpernel January 19, 2008 2:55 PM PST
Assault Weapon: A redundant term which describes darn near anything used in an attack. The term was seized upon by gun control jihadists to sow confusion in the public regarding the difference between full-auto firearms (1 trigger pull = bang, bang, bang, ...) and semi-auto firearms (1 trigger pull = 1 bang). As used since 1994, assault weapon has indicated specific types of semi-auto firearms or semi-auto firearms with certain features.

Assault Rifle: A select-fire rifle firing light to intermediate power cartridges, usually of carbine length. Select-fire means the rifle can be fired in either the full-auto or semi-auto mode and can be quickly switched between modes without tool or disassembly, by mean of and external selector, usually a lever. Since the fire in the full auto mode, assault rifles are classified as NFA Class III firearms, AKA machine guns, and possession is strictly controlled by federal laws passed in 1934, 1968, and 1986 (the 1994 Assault Weapon Ban had nothing to do with full-auto firearms). Illegal possession is a federal felony punishable by 10 years in federal prison.

The civilian AR-15 is NOT an assault rifle (And no, "AR" in AR-15 does not stand for Assault Rifle, it stands for Armalite).
Reply to this comment
by sammyb33 April 23, 2008 10:13 PM PDT
You have got to be kidding me. What kind of crazy person would have a gun like this. Is there really demand for this type of a gun. Glitter Graphics Myspace Layout
Reply to this comment
by ankaraevdenevenakliyat October 10, 2008 12:08 PM PDT
<a href="http://www.nakliyatevdeneve.name" title="Ankara Evden Eve Nakliyat" target="_blank">Ankara Nakliyat</a>-
<a href="http://www.baskentnakliyatt.com" title="Evden Eve Nakliyat" target="_blank">Evden Eve</a>-
<a href="http://www.ankaranakliyat.info" title="Ankara Evden Eve Nakliyat" target="_blank">Ankara Nakliyat</a>-
yeni bir evden eve nakliyat firmas?na ho?geldiniz
Reply to this comment
by ankaraevdenevenakliyat October 10, 2008 12:11 PM PDT
<a href="http://www.nakliyatevdeneve.name" title="Ankara Evden Eve Nakliyat" target="_blank">Ankara Nakliyat</a>-
<a href="http://www.baskentnakliyatt.com" title="Evden Eve Nakliyat" target="_blank">Evden Eve</a>-
<a href="http://www.ankaranakliyat.info" title="Ankara Evden Eve Nakliyat" target="_blank">Ankara Nakliyat</a>-
Reply to this comment
by seoturk February 7, 2009 1:58 AM PST
[url=http://www.sikispornvideos.com]siki?[/url] Siki? izle bedava.
Reply to this comment
by seoturk February 7, 2009 1:59 AM PST
<a href="http://www.sikispornvideos.com" title="siki?">siki?</a> Siki? izle bedava..
Reply to this comment
by denise1313 March 30, 2009 12:19 PM PDT
I think painting this <a href="http://www.sksstocks.com">sks rifle</a> to look like a childs toy could be very dangerous, because what child wouldn't want to play with it?!
Reply to this comment
(18 Comments)
  • prev
  • 1
  • next

About Crave

The name says it all. Crave is our blog about gorgeous gadgets and other crushworthy stuff. If you would like to contact Crave with a tip or comment, please write to: crave@cnet.com

Add this feed to your online news reader

Crave topics

As alternative energy grows, NIMBY greens

With more renewable energy projects trying to come online, the country grapples with the balance between local land use and a national push for clean energy.

Google to remake programming with Go

A Unix co-creator is among those behind a language Google hopes will speed computers and programming. Today, Go becomes open-source software.