There is concern that iPhone cases designed to look like handguns could be dangerous, and some people want them banned.
Law enforcement agencies are among those sounding an alarm.
"You pull this thing out on a cop, they're going to shoot you," said former NYPD Officer Joseph Giacalone told WCBS. "I mean, it's as simple as that."
The cases can be purchased online.
"There's no law per se, but you have to use the law of common sense, which I've learned in my lifetime isn't very common," Giacalone said.
Giacalone said officers constantly face the unknown and sometimes have only a split second to make a decision against a perceived threat.
"Sometimes mistakes happen. They're only human," he said.
Some community activists are calling for legislation to ban the cases.
New cell phone cases. This is ridiculous!!! pic.twitter.com/1TPtwg5RL6
— Queens North SSD (@queensnorth_ssd)
