Trigger Lock Study

[NikatKimber]

My little brother is doing some research on the pros and cons of trigger locks. Just wondering what y'alls thoughts were...
It is for a "future statesman" program for school, there is a theoretical bill that in summary requires that all new firearms must include a mandatory trigger lock when said firearm will be kept in a home with children present.

also, while doing research with/for bro, ran into this site:
http://guncite.com/journals/senrpt/senrpt171.html
just read the first 2 paragraphs, hits hard.
thanks!
Brent

[38Super]

Big can of worms here but......since I don't have kids around the house, don't see the need for trigger locks. If you need the weapon, there is no time to mess with a trigger lock IMO.

[NikatKimber]

that's my opinion, adding kids adds a lot of issues to it
in my dad's house, the 2nd youngest is 14, (the one doing the study, and the one that I took shooting with me a couple weeks ago) and can be trusted to keep his hands off without permission. but the youngest is 9, is blind, and developmentally disabled. basically, like a 4-5 yo with the reach of a 9 yo. he is the worry.
i personally still don't want a lock on my gun, but would keep any guns not hidden well outa reach, in a locking case.
just since I was researching anyways, thougth i'd post up about it

[skyydiver]

First, I'm against mandating common sense. Second, as far as kids and guns and locks and accessibility if needed: If you're awake and at home, and are responsible for the safety of the fam, it should be on you. If you don't have it on you, it should be locked up, either in a safe or with trigger locks, etc...When Mine's not on me, it's in one of those cheap nightstand safes. It could still get stolen, but not used by my 3 year old to blow himself away accidentally. Of course all of my other guns are in the big heavy fireproof safe. My $.02.

[NikatKimber]

I told my dad the same thing, if i'm home, my gun is on me, or within reach. I don't think, however that even with children in the home that all guns not in immediate carry should be required by law to be locked. That is up to the parent, and for the judge to decide on if the parent was in negligence.

[bulbboy]

By the time my wife wakes me up, grabs the gun, gives me the key to the lock, gives me the gun, pushes me off the bed, and points in the direction of the noise (which is always our dog or cat)...

[NikatKimber]

haha!!! i sleep deep too... i've got enuf to worry about besides getting a lock off the gun.
the best argument i've heard for gun locks in that situation, is it will keep you from grabbing the gun half asleep and blowing away your kid or spouse without realizing it.

[skyydiver]

I'm with you there, Bulb. My wife laughs at all of my "preparedness" because a train could drive throughand I'd still be snoring. Good thing that with the two kids, I KNOW she would go into crazy killer ***** mode.

[kgull85]

It is for a "future statesman" program for school, there is a theoretical bill that in summary requires that all new firearms must include a mandatory trigger lock when said firearm will be kept in a home with children present.

Does the theoretical bill say that the lock hased to be used in the home of children or that it just has to be present. I don't see a problem with every firearm having an internal trigger lock, and then leaving it up to the owner to use it or not. (I know some people will say it's just another thing to go wrong with the gun at the worst possible time)

If you leave a gun out unlocked/unattended even if you educate your kids about firearms, there is always the chance that one of their friends can pick it up. My kids have the neighbor kids over all the time to play so I'm not about to leave anything to chance.

[bulbboy]

I'm with you there, Bulb. My wife laughs at all of my "preparedness" because a train could drive throughand I'd still be snoring. Good thing that with the two kids, I KNOW she would go into crazy killer ***** mode.


Thats the truth!! :nutkick:

[NikatKimber]

it says that the gun has to be sold with the lock, and the bill is very simple, doesn't say anything about internal or external lock, so i am assuming an external lock, not internal.
Personally i absolutely hate internal locks. with an external you can see the lock is present, but with an internal, there is no way of telling until the gun fails to function. I have one on my Rem 700, and never use it. Unless you know it's there, there is no way of knowing it is locked.

[savedbygrace]

Personally i absolutely hate internal locks. with an external you can see the lock is present, but with an internal, there is no way of telling until the gun fails to function.


I could not agree more, I personally feel that a safe/lockbox is the best, but as was said before. "Do we need laws for common sence?"