Yet Another Danger of Trigger Locks

[Zrex]

Don't blame the trigger lock. If there is one thing folks around here ought to know by now its not to blame inanimate objects for the actions of stupid people.

 

[tellner]

Blame them for stupid actions? No.

Blame inherently dangerous design for making simple screwups more dangerous? Certainly. I also blame knob-and-tube wiring and deep-fat turkey fryers for a lot of deadly fires.

 

[Sleeping Dog]

Blame? For putting a trigger lock on a loaded gun and taking it to the police station? What's to blame?

From the story, it looks like the Detroit police are trying to figure out if the guy is a reserve police officer. I guess they don't keep lists of reserve officers.

 

[Flyboy73]

"Blame inherently dangerous design for making simple screwups more dangerous? Certainly. I also blame knob-and-tube wiring and deep-fat turkey fryers for a lot of deadly fires."

I really fail to see how a trigger lock is inherently dangerous. Its another inamite object. A trigger lock on a unloaded Firearm (as it should be), dosn't make it more dangerous.

Brion

 

[WeedWhacker]

They're inherently dangerous because they present a false sense of security. They are supposed to render a firearm inoperable, but they do not work at all on some firearm types (lever action), and on the ones they do, they can very easily be defeated by a ten-year-old with a blade screwdriver.

Even if the screwdriver couldn't or can't defeat some of the "best" models (I've not popped off a trigger lock for some time), two minutes with a cheap Dremel sure will...

 

[Flyboy73]

I suppose you could say a inexpense safe would be inherently dangerous . As the same 10 year with a crow bar could get into to it in a couple of minutes.

Brion

 

[WeedWhacker]

I believe one of the main security features of cheap RSCs is that moving the RSC and its contents is less convenient. Anyone can pick up a trigger-locked gun and sneak it out to the garage... I'd like to see the same ten-year-old manage to cart away the RSC (even if some do weigh a pathetically small amount, ~150lbs).

Then there's the fact that a trigger lock can be removed and replaced without the key and also without any obvious evidence that it was removed in the first place. At least with a crappy RSC, you'll know if lil Bobby has been at it with a crowbar. Assuming he didn't cart it off somewhere.

 

[WinchesterAA]

anyone else find the wording of that article kinda funny?

"Reserve officers recieve similar training"

kinda implying that cops are trained to pry trigger locks off and shoot stuff they don't mean to..

 

[Dorryn]

The rubberized Master Lock trigger lock will not budge, if secured correctly. Weapon loaded, or otherwise.

I have *personally* popped off a locked rubber-shrouded Master-branded trigger lock off a Hi-Power using a single Craftsman blade screwdriver. Not recommended, as I'd knocked a small spot of the finish off of the trigger guard. (That pistol was unloaded, FWIW.)

In addition, MasterLocks are probably THE easiest lock to pick. I have trained even the most novice user of locksmithing tools in less than 15 minutes how to pop one of these off. Why bother? It wont slow down a BG, and it WILL slow you down protecting yourself.

 

[Flyboy73]

The trigger lock is not to stop a BG. I doubt most children have lock picking tools. And if they dohave them, they can also pick the lock on the safe.

BTW i took one my real cheap trigger locks off. I stuck a flat screw driver into it and could not unlock it. (i was not trying to break it just turn it, to unlock, I also didnlt use a really small flat head, just the one i had sitting on bench)

I guess 10 year olds must be better at lock picking then me.

Brion

 

[WeedWhacker]

BTW i took one my real cheap trigger locks off. I stuck a flat screw driver into it and could not unlock it. (i was not trying to break it just turn it, to unlock, I also didnlt use a really small flat head, just the one i had sitting on bench)

I didn't explain the method I'd used very well. I didn't attack the keyhole at all. I'd simply jammed the blade screwdriver into the small void between one half of the trigger lock and the trigger guard, then gave it a good twist. The locking mechanism is too delicate, and that relatively small amount of force from the screwdriver blade being twisted popped open the mechanism, allowing both lock halves to be removed. (In order to completely remove the lock halved, I believe I may have had to torque both lock halves in opposite directions once there was enough "open space" between the lock halves to get my fingers around.) In the process, the finish on the pistol's trigger guard was marred in a small spot.
The lock didn't appear to be damaged, as it still "locked" when put back on the pistol, and the pistol was lated used, proving that the key still opened it as well.

So, it's literally child's play to remove a trigger lock without either the key nor damage to the lock (and without doing obvious damage to the firearm), and it can be replaced without any obvious sign that the lock was removed.