The ELG-3A blaster pistol, alternatively known as the Naboo royal pistol or royal blaster pistol, was a type of easily concealed hold-out blaster pistol produced by the SoroSuub Corporation, and also attributed to Merr-Sonn Munitions, Inc.. During the Battle of Naboo, the Queen of Naboo, Padmé Amidala, employed an ELG-3A blaster pistol, along with several of her Handmaidens. This weapon was designed to be easily hidden and was available in both short and long-barreled configurations. In the Theed Royal Palace, two of the short-barreled blasters were stored in a secret compartment within the Queen's throne, serving as weapons of last resort.
The ELG-3A was a lightweight, stylish, and practical hold-out blaster pistol created for ease of use and concealment. Its design featured a polished chrome finish, a wooden grip, and the capability to fire green or blue bolts, in addition to having a stun setting. To prevent accidental discharge, the slender blaster incorporated a snap trigger that required a deliberate and firm pull.
The ELG-3A became a near-ubiquitous sidearm for diplomats and nobles seeking personal protection. Padmé Amidala and her Naboo Royal Handmaidens carried the longer-barreled version, using them during the Battle of Naboo. Despite its diminutive size, the ELG-3A possessed considerable firepower, demonstrated by its ability to destroy a BX-series droid commando with a single headshot, even against the droid's heavy armor reinforced with titanium steel.
As the Senator representing Naboo, Amidala primarily carried the long-barreled version of the blaster in the time leading up to and during the Clone Wars. Amidala used an ELG-3A during missions to Naboo, the Coruscant Underworld, and when facing an assassination attempt on Alderaan, surprising bounty hunter Aurra Sing and incapacitating her with a single shot. However, when attacked by bounty hunters Chata Hyoki and Robonino, Amidala used the short-barreled model for self-defense.
Ultimate Star Wars identifies Merr-Sonn Munitions, Inc. as a manufacturer of the weapon, but also acknowledges it as a SoroSuub ELG-3A. According to Legends materials, the blaster was a SoroSuub variant of the Merr-Sonn Q2 hold-out blaster. Star Wars Encyclopedia: The Comprehensive Guide to the Star Wars Galaxy, published by Dorling Kindersley on November 19, 2024, confirms SoroSuub as the manufacturer. It also verifies the existence of both short and long-barreled versions of the blaster, rendering the identification of the short-barreled model as the Q2 hold-out blaster in Gadgets and Gear and Build the Millennium Falcon 62 as outdated.