iPhone gun case.jpg

Law enforcement authorities around the country are urging people not to buy iPhone cases that resemble handguns.

(Washington County Sheriff's Office)

The

sent out an alert Thursday warning people not to buy iPhone cases that resemble a handgun because they could easily fool authorities.

One style of the phone cases, sold via online retailers, is shaped like a 9mm handgun with a grip and trigger. The handle protrudes from the owner's pocket when tucked in.

The case has drawn warnings from police agencies, prosecutors and legislators around the country. Amazon has agreed to discontinue selling the gun-shaped phone cases,

, and eBay has followed suit,

.

"If someone pulled this device out to videotape or to call someone, it could have tragic results," the Washington County Sheriff's Office said in a statement.

Federal law requires all replica and novelty guns to have an orange tip at the end of the barrel to show that they're not real firearms.

I would NOT suggest purchasing this cell phone case, which was designed to look like a firearm. #BeSmart #BeSafe pic.twitter.com/swsWzD1sdY — NYPD 112th Precinct (@NYPD112Pct) June 30, 2015

-- Everton Bailey Jr.

ebailey@oregonian.com

503-221-8343; @EvertonBailey