'Safety bullet' invention aims to prevent accidental shootings

News Herald ^ | Story filed: 11:52 Tuesday 30th July 2002 | Editorial Staff

[vannrox]

'Safety bullet' invention aims to prevent accidental shootings

A Florida man claims to have designed a safety bullet which locks up a gun when it's accidentally fired.

Mike Worley says his simple invention takes gun safety to another level.

He came up with the idea after a local boy was shot in his elbow while showing off his dad's .357 Magnum.

The safety bullet can be hidden in the gun chamber and ejected quickly if the owner needs to fire a live bullet.

If the safety bullet is fired, it jams the chamber and locks the gun until the shell is removed with a special tool.

The News Herald reports Mr Worley has applied for a patent for his invention.

He says several companies are interested in his design, and one has started making a prototype.

Mr Worley, from Panama City, says he supports the use of guns and understands why people need a loaded gun as protection.

He said: "I think the safety bullet is a step in the right direction. I don't want fame and fortune. This is a simple device that takes safety to the next level."

Story filed: 11:52 Tuesday 30th July 2002

[Terriergal]

I am NRA ever hear of em

I am GOA... NRA is getting too liberal.

[MightyMouth]

There are no "accidental" shootings. As an NRA member, I would think that you would know that. When you continue saying that there are, you continue to perpetuate that myth for the antis. There is ignorance and carelessness, but there are not accidental shootings. One must violate at least two of the simple, basic rules of gun safety to have an unintentional discharge that causes injury. A small child picking up a gun is still not an "accidental shooting."

How many of those 60,000 so-called "accidental shootings" are being done by these 3- and 4-year olds, Mike? Why does a 3- or 4-year old have access to this firearm? Again, parents who give a sh*t would be a far better safety device, and if they don't, they won't use your magic bullet anyway.

It's possible that you've invented this from the goodness of your heart, but I have to tell you that I will never use it, nor tell any of the people I train (mostly women) to do so, either. I will, in fact, recommend against it if it comes up.

[Terriergal]

The problem is simple people are getting killed and hurt by accidental shooting

When it happens, it's tragic. However the incidences of this is miniscule and doesn't warrant what the anti-gun lobby is doing, THAT is the problem. They will still gripe about the INTENTIONAL shootings, and eventually voila, we will have no more guns (except the criminals and the government... same difference...) and your invention will be moot.

I just wonder how many "accidental shootings" occurred when guns were easily accessible to all, several decades ago...

[Poohbah]

The safety bullet can be hidden in the gun chamber and ejected quickly if the owner needs to fire a live bullet.

Gosh, we had this amazing thing in the Marine Corps called a "flag safety." It was a plastic plug inserted into the chamber, and it visually indicated that the weapon was complete safe.

If the safety bullet is fired, it jams the chamber and locks the gun until the shell is removed with a special tool.

And when you need the firepower NOW, and forget to rack the slide...you're hosed.

[MightyMouth]

Oh, mercy. Now I'm convinced again that you're an anti-gun mole, hawking your silly device. You keep digging yourself into a hole with your mouth, you know?

[MightyMouth]

??? I'm confused ... this has *what* to do with this thread???

[MightyMouth]

Hahahaha! *I'm* a wife, and I would "explain" it in pretty much the same terms. :oD))

[Flyer]

What did the folks at Million Mom March and The Brady Center think of your invention?

In the meantime, he has shown his idea to gun control groups such as the Million Mom March and The Brady Center

Source

Inquiring minds really, really want to know.

[dighton]

The gun's best safety is inside your head.

Exactly.

"Accidents" don't cause gunshot wounds; recklessness, stupidity, and inattention do.

[Shooter 2.5]

"I am GOA... NRA is getting too liberal.

I'm the NRA. The GOA doesn't do anything except complain about the NRA.

[MightyMouth]

I don't think he's going to answer you. Wonder why ...

[Poohbah]

I will explain it to you thusly:

This "safety device" requires a perfectly competent user to avoid disabling the weapon in a potentially lethal encounter.

You willing to accept the financial consequences of disabling Mr. X's firearm because he forgot the damn safety bullet was in there? Trust me, you WILL get sued for more money than you could shake a stick at, plus the stick.

[Flyer]

I don't think he's going to answer you

Ya know, I think you're right. This is only the 143rd time I have asked. I even asked in a FReep mail. Maybe I should insult him - he replies to those.

[technochick99]

Hi Mike, I am really interested in the women's groups I noted getting a sample. Or even an early release for a small fee (of course I can't speak for all groups to offer to pay). Feel free to contact me at julib@2asisters.org directly.

[MightyMouth]

I'm both, and more, because we need to support every single group out there fighting for our gun rights. And, of course, I have to disagree with you about GOA, but that's a whole 'nother thread. :o)

[MightyMouth]

I have an old gun that I could test this on ... .38 revolver. Hm... maybe a 9mm semi-auto, too, if he'll pay to have my gunsmith fix it if his invention messes it up too much. If women are one of his more active target groups, I really agree that women's groups should test it. NOT that I have any kind of hopes for it, but to be fair, and to be able to report the truth (because the Second Amendment Sisters DO trust people with the truth, after all :o), we should give it a chance. Thanks, J!

[Shooter 2.5]

No, let's get it out right now.
I Have asked 10, I repeat, 10 GOA members to tell me something positive about the GOA on this board alone. Not one has ever replied to any inquiry. Not one, but they continue to complain about the NRA. I have tried over ten times to explain to them that they are driving a wedge between the gun groups and doing Sarah Brady's work by causing disruption. The NRA has 4 and half million members and the GOA could expand their numbers by explaining what they do. Not one has except to complain.

You now have the floor to tell me what the GOA has done except complain about the NRA. Don't be the eleventh person to have no idea who you're sending money to.

[Terriergal]

Just like the Republicans don't do anything except complain about the democrats?

[dcwusmc]

Yer right. I had forgotten all about those things.... cause with the dust cover on the -16, you couldn't tell if the bolt was retracted or not. Yep... but IIRC only on the range did we use them.

[Cobra Scott]

Not only that, but if you back and carefully inspect everything, you will see that to activate, the device requires that a primer be detonated!

So what we have is a plastic thingy, with a metal spike, propelled by a primer, and dependent on the same plastic thingy preventing the metal spike from leaving the barrel.

This is going to do more than put an eye out!

And then there is the issue of placing one for a 45ACP in a 45 Win Mag pistol; I'm betting we could have a lot of "fun" with that one. Or a 38spl in a 357 maximum. Or a 45 Schofield in a 454. etc.

Not to mention that the tool obviously has to be inserted in the barrel. What does that mean in a 14" barrel?

And lastly, the most dangerous caliber, statistically, is the 22 rimfire. Betcha there isn't a "Safty Bullet" for that.