Firearms in the modern era conventionally employ a bullet or shell which is positioned within the firearm and has both propellent and the projectile in a single unit. Once operatively positioned within a firearm, a trigger mechanism either in a single action or double action, causes the actuation of a hammer or firing pin which strikes the bullet or shell to cause it to discharge and propel the projectile from the barrel of the firearm toward an intended target.
Because of the ease of activating the trigger of many modern firearms, conventionally they are also equipped with a trigger safety mechanism or switch. Such trigger safety switches generally have two primary positions. A first such position is in the safety-on mode, wherein the trigger of the firearm is prevented from actuation which thereby prevents the accidental or unintentional actuation of the trigger and firing of the firearm. A second such position of the safety switch is the safety-off position, wherein the trigger on the firearm is operable by a user to fire the weapon. Some automatic weapons may have a third position configuring the weapon for automatic sequential firing of the weapon. However, the safety on such weapons will still have a safety-on position to prevent firing of the weapon.
While such a safety switch mechanism is in widespread use in firearms and works well to prevent the owner or authorized user of the weapon, it does not prevent unauthorized users from taking and firing the weapon since a simple rotation of the safety will place the firearm in the firing position. As a consequence, for example, children gaining access to a firearm frequently are aware of how to move a safety switch to the safety-off position so that the weapon may be fired. Additionally, where the firearm is stolen or taken from the owner by an individual familiar with trigger safety mechanisms, it may be used against the owner.
As a consequence, while conventional trigger safety switches employed with modern firearms work well in many instances, they do not prevent the unauthorized use of the weapon by older children and others coming into possession of it. The consequences of such can be significant harm and loss of life to others encountering the individual who has such unauthorized possession of the firearm.
The device and method herein provide for a secondary safety switch which is employable on firearms having a rotating member engaged to the safety which is switchable between a firing and non firing position. The secondary safety switch, however, is in a stealth or hidden position running coaxial to the original safety switch and requires a user key to actuate it between positions. It thereby prevents unauthorized actuation of the trigger of the weapon to which it is engaged.
The forgoing examples concerning firearms employing safety switches, and issues regarding such, are intended to be illustrative and not exclusive, and they do not imply any limitations on the invention described and claimed herein. Various other limitations of the related art are known or will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon a reading and understanding of the specification below and the accompanying drawings.