Are there any "ok" trigger locks?

[mikechandler]

I am about to take custody of my 3 months old nephew, from the state (long painful story), and part of their process is a home inspection which requires all firearms have trigger locks and be in a residential security container. No kidding they are asking for both. I just talked to the CPS on the phone, and they're not joking...

So what would you do? Who makes ones that aren't terrible? Has anybody else gone through this, and gotten around the requirement?

They also said that firearms need to be stored unloaded, with the ammo in a separate container. So basically I am not allowed a loaded firearm in the house, even in my safe. I am going to assume that a CCW weapon doesn't count, so I guess I will CCW whenever I am home, including sleeping!

 

[cluck]

Its incredibly inconvenient for you, but it sounds like this kid needs you.

 

[bigfatdave]

No, putting something in the TG is stupid, there is no "good" design.

Get the cheapest ones that you can, preferably with a common key, demonstrate them for the inspection and forget about them after.

Back to reality (and away from some clueless paper-pusher's requirement)
If you want a weapon disabled, remove a part, for example; remove the slide of a pistol, pull the bolt from a rifle, or run a cable lock through a revolver's frame so the cylinder can't be snapped into place. Essentially make it so the gun can't exist in an operable state. The brightly colored cable locks are generally not too bad for this purpose.

 

[marksg]

I agree with cluck for sure. The kid needs you so do what you have to.

It depends on what state your in. Some States Daves ideas are accepted(and correct i might add), some think trigger lock is good.

I onetime told my 10 yr old nephew i'd give him $10 if he could get a trigger lock off, 20 min later i was out $10.

 

[slamfirev10]

good uncle, blessings to you both

no good trigger locks

have them for inspections, then.....

 

[Ehtereon11B]

Find the brightest and cheapest locks you can to play pretty for the inspection. If you still have the factory locks (and they work) even better. Trigger locks are a joke and a "feel good" measure. Smile, wave, show the shiny, brightly colored locks. Then take them off when they go out the door. Even a bad RSC will keep out a 3 month old.

 

[Teachu2]

Check and see if cable locks are acceptable.

 

[HankR]

Bless you for what you're doing for the kid, and good luck


All the locks are pretty lame but you could probably find somebody to give you some for free. It seems that most new guns come with one nowadays. I don't ever throw anything away and probably have a few around. I suspect you can find somebody local who would give you a handful. When do you need them by?

 

[USAF_Vet]

I hate trigger locks, but the state of Michigan requires that every new firearms (maybe even used) that is sold be sold with a trigger lock. The LGS has boxes of the cheapest ones you can get.

If I were going to lock out a firearm, I prefer cable locks. That should appease CPS. A locking gun cabinet or locker should also meet their criteria.

Your nephew needs you, and that's more important than the nuisance of buying some trigger or cable locks. Let CPS see you've complied with their requirements, then do with them what you will. I assume they will make visits, probably scheduled in advance, so keep a lock handy in case they ask about them.

It's pretty doubtful a 3 month old could do much with a gun, but rules are rules.

 

[kludge]

Trigger locks are dangerous.

I cannot emphasize this enough.

Cable locks for semi's and padlocks for revolvers. All our local PD's and Sheriffs offices give them away.

Perhaps if they see these in use they will give you the AoK?

 

[bigfatdave]

If the bureaucrats will OK cable locks, use those, it is possible to use a cable lock for more than show.

Are there trigger locks out there that take a common key? If I were to put a TL on every gun I own, there's be quite a big keyring involved, I'd probably just start twisting them off instead of trying the dozens of keys!
(Most trigger locks will come off with a pipe wrench or vise used to torque the two halves, generally you can even do it without damaging the gun. If you're really annoyed, some will come off with hand-torque, even.)

I'm reminded of the retail drone who INSISTED I take a trigger lock when I bought a Henry levergun. I even demonstrated for the poor fool how useless the device was for that gun, by applying it "properly", opening the lever and letting the lock hit the floor. Then I clamped it on tighter, worked the lever (cocking the hammer and moving the trigger a bit) and when the lever closed, the trigger was pulled. He still insisted that I take the G.M. supplied trigger lock and stuffed the worthless piece of trash onto the gun before re-boxing it. I don't buy hardware from GM now, they hire some serious barrel-bottom-scrapings for that gun counter.

 

[taliv]

many gun stores give them away. so do many LEO organizations.

nothing wrong with trigger locks, though i have no idea why you would need a trigger lock on a gun that's already in a safe.

it's not like they're going to do a thorough search of your house.

 

[gym]

Why not use a biometric safe, at least for one gun, so if someone breaks in you can get to it. Just put it in a spot near the bed and make sure it's secured to the concrete if possble.
As long as the kid can't open it I would go that route, and the kid should never even know it exhists.