Posted on 07/29/2002 4:24:26 PM PDT by MeneMeneTekelUpharsin
PANAMA CITY, Fla. (AP) - Accidental shootings involving children nationally along with one next door prompted Mike Worley to invent a bullet to prevent such tragedies. Worley, a professional photographer and gun enthusiast who belongs to the National Rifle Association, turned in a patent application earlier this year for the design that will lock up a gun when accidentally fired.
In case after case, children have shot themselves or playmates with guns that adults had hidden away and even locked up, Worley said Monday. "The kids will find the guns," Worley said. "I figured there has to be a way to stop this nonsense." The Safety Bullet would be left in the firing chamber. If the owner needed to shoot the weapon for self protection it could be quickly ejected, clearing the way for a real bullet in the next chamber.
If someone should pull the trigger with the Safety Bullet in the firing chamber, however, it would jam the weapon until removed with a special tool. Worley believes it would prevent suicides as well as accidental shootings such as the one that occurred next door about six months ago. "A boy who had been trained to use guns safely picked the lock on the gun safe to show his friend his dad's .357 Magnum," Worley said. "When he handed the gun to his friend, the boy pulled the trigger and shot through his forearm and elbow. Several surgeries later, the kid is just now getting the use of his hand back."
With Worley's idea, when the trigger is pulled, the force pushes a pin into a plastic sleeve around the bullet and expands it, which causes the shell to become locked in the firing chamber. He said Safety Bullets could be made to work with all types of firearms. Worley said it could take three years for him to hear from the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. In the meantime, he has shown his idea to gun control groups such as the Million Mom March and The Brady Center, along with gun maker Remington Arms Co. of Madison, Wis., and Corbin Manufacturing and Supply Inc., of White City, Ore., which designs bullet-making machines. Corbin is working on prototypes, Worley said. "I do not want fame and fortune," he said. "This is a simple device that takes safety to the next level."
The law will state that your guns must be secured in a "state approved" safe with "state approved" locking devices.
Of course, the state will need to be able to come into your house to check that you are in compliance.... if you are "in compliance", it will take you too long to get a gun out and on target, if that is your way.
If you are not in compliance, the state has just created another "instant felon": 5 years under Project Exile no doubt, and loss of gun rights for life.
Actually, if I am thinking of keeping my kids (I have none) from accidentally shooting off my guns I would probably have them locked up in the case with their trigger guards on.
But,
If I had my gun out for self protection there is no way that that gun could be relied upon to protect me if I had to use a tool to somehow pry that dumb cartridge out of the barrel in a time of need. But on the other hand, I could always rely on my Louisville Slugger that is leaning against the dresser next to the locked up useless handgun, don't need a permit or trigger lock for it (at least not yet).......
Which is quicker. Unlocking the safe or dislodging this bullet as designed ?
It's a stupid idea, for the much the same reason that trigger locks on "ready" self defense firearms are. A person that's scared is very likely to forget to eject the "jammer" round and their gun will them be useless except as blunt object. Prehaps, I'm missing something here??
Anything that interferes directly with the proper operation of the firearm is a bad idea.
But with kids, unless you have particularly responsible ones, you have to keep the sidearm either on your person or locked away. Every kid's different - some you can trust, and some you can't. I have one of each . . . one particularly level headed 14 year old girl (who is an excellent shot and safe gun handler), and one 10 year old boy who is like the Elephant's Child . . . full of "'satiable curtiosity" about anything mechanical, and not yet mature enough to exercise good judgment. So nothing is lying loose around our house.
This leads one to the problem of what to do in the middle of the night when somebody breaks down the door . . . . our answer is a small swing-open pistol safe bolted to the bed frame, with a set of buttons that fit my fingertips. A number of manufacturers make these, and they are not outrageously expensive. With kids around, I would go this way instead of with some nutty device that renders the firearm inoperative.
Perhaps his idiotic, dangerous 'bullet' would extend a rod into the barrel thereby preventing the cylinder from turning or opening. Then a special tool would be inserted in through the muzzle to push the extension back into the case and release the cylinder.
On the other hand, it may just release a flood of superglue.
Joe, that says it all!
Kids who know guns don't have these "accidents", kids whose parents hide them do. Just MHO.
Problem is I have a 2 year old who thinks he's Dirty Harry. He terrifies my liberal neighbors. I love it. But, he's a bit young so we keep anything way outta his reach or locked up. My wife's personal firearm is in her quick safe....little black HK model...push button control panel. The tasmanian devil and his little bro due in November will be acclimated by the age you suggested....same as I was and you as well. I see some Red Ryders in their futures early on. Pity the sparrows nearby.
My girls are already familiar and one(13 now) hunts whitetails with me using her .45 frontloader.
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