Increase Gun Safety with... A Rubber Band?

[Dr-Science]

Several nights ago, I was alarmed when at about 2:30 AM I heard some strange, irregular noises. My bedroom is located above the front entrance to my house and at this time I was at my desk, positioned directly over the front door. The noises were sort of a scratching / tapping noise that I sensed were emanating from the door beneath me on the first floor. I have 4 cats, so I figured it may have been one of them doing their thing (furniture abuse, mostly). That was when I heard the handle jiggle.
A little freaked out, I crept out into the landing of the stairs where I can get a view of the front door if I squat down. I saw no one. Weirded out, I went back to my room and loaded my rifle magazine, pulled out my rifle and set them within easy reach (I do not keep a loaded firearm in my house as I live in a what used to be a very safe neighborhood; I didn’t load my rifle as I was worried I would fall asleep, wake up and somehow forget it was loaded—I do safety check, but just wanted to be extra safe). Sure enough, a few minutes later, I heard a low-pitched thumping noise kind of like someone stomping on carpet, but couldn’t tell if it was from outside (as in in the street and not near my house) or at the side door of the house. Now more worried, I loaded my rifle—ready for the worst.
However, I was still worried about falling asleep and forgetting my rifle was loaded so in a stroke of what I thought was brilliance, I strapped a rubber band around the trigger guard / receiver of the rifle to remind me that it was “hot.” I will now put a rubber band over all my loaded firearms to make COMPLETE sure I know which of my firearms are loaded, even though they will be stored separately from the non-loaded ones (ya know… things happen, get reorganized, moved around, etcetera). The rubber bands do not in any way impede the function of the weapon and are just as effective in the dark, as I will feel them as I put my finger on the trigger. This can work on shotguns, rifles, pistol and revolvers. While it is not as fool-proof as simply checking the gun to see if it is loaded, it saves time and does not make noise. Furthermore "simply" checking the gun may not be so simple when under stress. As soon as I came to the realization that someone was probably trying to break in, I am not ashamed to say I got a bit nervous and was able to really see what all those people were talking about when they said simple things become complex under stress. You really gotta train to be prepared.
But back on topic, check out the pictures. Note on the 1911 that it does indeed depress the grip safety. Just be double careful and aware and I don’t think it would be a problem, especially if the safety was on. Also note that the bands are not on too tight. Just taught enough to ensure they won't fall off is all you need; common sense.
I think that this has the potential to increase safety amongst those who choose to keep loaded firearms in your house, so I felt obliged to share it. This is literally free and does not alter your gun or its functionality. Let me know what you guys think! Good idea? Bad idea? ...Horrible idea? Plain stupid?

Stay safe,
Dr. Science!

PS: Lo and behold, the police called today and said that there were 15 reported burglaries in my neighborhood within the last few nights, luckily the doors and windows were locked!


Edit: It seems like at least 50% of people responding haven't bothered to read the other comments... To be clear, this is not an excuse to not safety check my firearms. The rubber bands indicate an actually loaded gun, while all other guns are only presumed to be loaded for safety reasons. If I pick up a gun without a rubber band, I will safety check it. If it does have a rubber band, I wouldn't be safety checking it but rather clearing it, as it IS loaded. Either way, the gun is assured to be unloaded before it is handled. The reason for the rubber bands, to clarify, is to make me feel safe that I do indeed have a loaded and ready-to-go gun should I ever need one. As Bonesinium said, "The OP does state he does safety check his firearms. The rubber band is not used as his way of determining if a firearm is loaded. It is his way of knowing his firearm isn't unloaded. There is a difference. When he sees a firearm that has a rubber band on it, he isn't going to do a safety check, because he already knows it isn't safe. The actions taken would be to clear the firearm. If he sees a firearm without a rubber band on it, he will do a safety check on it because it may or may not be loaded. So a rubber band breaks, he picks up the firearm, and performs a safety check like any competent gun owner, and thus clears his firearm making it safe. What is negative about this?"

 

[bigfatdave]

Well, I use a holster for handguns, and just don't keep long guns loaded.
The rubber band is better than nothing, security at work uses a Velcro strap during drills to remind the real security team that they're not part of the defending or attacking group (plus various other methods, the straps are a very small part of separating the on-site drill from the actual on-duty security team)
For handguns the Velcro strap holds the holster's retention strap in place, for rifles they wrap it so it could be popped off to the front.

Rubber-band is a good start, though ... I'd think of it as a prototype / proof-of-concept on the way to a working system, please share the evolution, because I never have figured out a way to flag long guns that is good enough to convince me to leave them loaded, having an option would be nice.

 

[45Fan]

Looks like it would work, good tactile indicator. The band might still work on the 1911 if it were angled to be lower than the grip saftey, just not quite as in the way. I carry almost every day, and as such, my EDC stays loaded, and at night goes into a blackhawk paddle holster. I have always kept the same long guns loaded, condition 3.

 

[Six]

Nonononono.

The way you tell if a firearm is loaded or not is by checking the chamber.

If you have not checked the chamber and found it empty, the firearm is assumed to be loaded.

Relying on any other indicator is a recipe for failure, and possibly disaster.

If you need a gun for home defense, then that gun is always loaded when it is made ready (Taken out of safe, cable lock removed, etc).

 

[Paladin38-40]

A thousand times no!

I can not say it any better than Six above. Read and heed.

 

[Fred Fuller]

And when the rubber band breaks... or you forget to put it on?


THE BEST SAFETY (actually, the ONLY safety) is the one between your ears. You MUST train yourself in good firearm safety habits. There is no substitute, no gimmick, no trick that will make up for carelessness based on a false impression of "I didn't know it was loaded... ." Always CHECK the chamber/magazine to confirm status! If in doubt - CHECK! Even if not in doubt- CHECK! There is no way to call a bullet back once it is fired.

The canon of firearms safety is not lengthy or complicated, and it should be absolutely permanently embedded in your unconscious so that observing it is a reflex:

Always remember, safety is a state of mind and not a device!

These four rules, if followed explicitly, will guarantee firearms safety. Memorize them and heed them. Always!

All firearms are loaded. - There are no exceptions. Don't pretend that this is true. Know that it is and handle all firearms accordingly. Do not believe it when someone says: "It isn't loaded."

Never let the muzzle of a firearm point at anything you are not willing to destroy. - If you are not willing to see a bullet hole in it do not allow a firearm's muzzle to point at it. This includes things like your foot, the TV, the refrigerator, the dog, or anything else that would cause general upset if a hole appeared in it.

Keep your finger off the trigger unless your sights are on the target. - Danger abounds if you keep your finger on the trigger when you are not about to shoot. Speed is not gained by prematurely placing your finger on the trigger as bringing a firearm to bear on a target takes more time than it takes to move your finger to the trigger. Negligent discharges would be eliminated if this rule were followed 100% of the time.

Be sure of your target and what is behind it. - Never shoot at sounds or a target you cannot positively identify. Know what is in line with the target and what is behind it (bullets are designed to go through things). Be aware of your surroundings whether on a range, in the woods, or in a potentially lethal conflict. -- the bolded material above is quoted from http://www.frfrogspad.com/safety.htm

Please read the rest of the material at the link above as well...

Stay Safe (by learning how to be safe with firearms),

lpl

 

[Russ Jackson]

Hammer down on a loaded 1911 with a rubber band on it? Would this be Condition 5?...Russ

 

[ForumSurfer]

What happens when you become complacent with your safety and you treat them all as if they were unloaded just because they don't have a rubber band?

I prefer to just treat them all as if they are loaded. Home protection items stay loaded.

 

[hardluk1]

No rubber bands for me. I have 5 different pistols near by, safe and all are loaded and can always be assumed to be that way. Learn to handle a firearm in the same safe manner ever time its touched and no problems.
I guess thats the difference in someone that grew up with firearms and someone that never hunted , lived around firearms or shot that much. Keep a loaded firearm safe but handy or do not keep one at all.

LEE LAPIN Great standard info for all.

 

[NOLAEMT]

mine is easy...

All the handguns are loaded with one in the "pipe" the USP is condition 1, the sig is decocked.

My HD shotgun (mossberg 500) has a loaded magazine, hammer down and chamber empty, only because it sits above the closet door and shotguns are not drop safe.

guns put away (mostly rifles) are unloaded but treated as if they are loaded every time they are touched.

 

[birddog]

My bedside gun is my Ruger P345. The 'loaded chamber indicator' is very obvious to the touch, even in the pitch black.

That said, I'm with everyone else who suggests that checking the chamber and treating them ALL if they're loaded is the only way to go.

 

[Mainsail]

These four rules, if followed explicitly, will guarantee firearms safety. Memorize them and heed them. Always!

All firearms are loaded. - There are no exceptions. Don't pretend that this is true. Know that it is and handle all firearms accordingly. Do not believe it when someone says: "It isn't loaded."

Lee is one of a handful of posters here with whom I seem to always agree. Not this time. I don't mean to drag the topic off, but all guns are not always loaded.

When I, Lee, or anyone else, cleans, demonstrates, displays, function checks, or dry-fires their guns, those guns are unloaded (I hope). This directly contradicts what he wrote, because those are exceptions. The danger is that if you have an inviolate rule that you routinely violate, you are setting up a chain of events that can lead to an accident.

If I teach a new shooter that “all guns are always loaded” and he or she witnesses me violating that rule by dry firing it inside the house (I wouldn’t do that with a loaded gun), cleaning it (I wouldn’t do that with a loaded gun), function checking it after cleaning (I wouldn’t do that with a loaded gun), etc, then I am demonstrating a “do as I say, not as I do” attitude. This is how accidents happen; “the rules apply except when I determine they don’t” – an overly broad thought process that has no defined points. If we say that all guns are always loaded when we purposely treat them otherwise (and we do; to say otherwise is a lie), then we are saying the rule (and by association the other three rules) are not absolute but subjective.

Now, before some of you start grinding your teeth and rending your clothes, remember that the other three rules apply even when you’re doing those things. This does not mean that one should treat an unloaded firearm carelessly! Rule two applies whenever we are doing any of the activities listed above. That’s the beauty of the rules; they provide redundant protection. The failure of any one part does not render the whole inoperative.

If you say Rule 1 is “all guns are always loaded” but feel perfectly free to violate it when you clean, dry-fire, function check, then you are actually saying there are two sets of rules, one for loaded guns and one for unloaded guns. There are NOT one set of rules for loaded guns and another set for unloaded guns. It’s that very mindset- two different sets of rules- that cause people to negligently discharge their guns into the wall, themselves, or someone else.


To tie this in the OP’s rubber band idea; he’s attempting to re-write the rule from ”All guns are to be considered loaded until you have positively determined they are not”, into “All guns are assumed to be unloaded unless there’s a rubber band on them”. This inverts the rule and renders it null, because as mentioned, the rubber band can fall off, break, be forgotten, etc. There is nothing positive about it as it assumes the negative.

I love ya Lee, but I do not believe in dumbing down Rule 1 to make it easier to remember. Some things need to be taught and practiced with the diligence they deserve. All the rules must inviolate, firm, defined, and not subject to redefinition whenever the need arises; the stakes are too high.

 

[Dr-Science]

Good to see people actually reading my post, haha.
Yes, I do completely understand the rules of firearm safety. Yes, I know that all firearms should be assumed loaded. Thing is, if I left my logic at that and grabbed one of my guns the next time someone was breaking in, with the mindset it was loaded, I would be outta luck because unless I had specifically loaded it for that specific night, all of my guns are unloaded. The rubber band was to remind me should I have fallen asleep, or otherwise somehow forget that the gun was loaded. Yes, you gotta treat the ones even without the bands as loaded. But the only ones that are actually loaded are indicated with a rubber band. Come on, people, that much is common sense.
To make completely certain, I am not saying to treat all guns without bands as unloaded. What I am saying is have the mindset that all guns are loaded: if you are gonna handle it for whatever reason, safety check it (rubber band or not) before you even put your finger near the trigger. However, when I load a gun, I shall put a band on it to remind me for complete certainty that it is loaded. I do not want to for some obscure reason pick up an unloaded gun with some thugs crawling in through a window they just broke. That saves time and noise (although no, it is not as sure as just checking). Treat all guns as if they were loaded, but know all guns with bands are. You get as little as one shot at firearm safety, do what you know is safest. I previously to this did not keep ANY firearms loaded in my home. Kinda like training wheels, I guess, until I have a designated spot and have grown consciously and unconsciously accustomed to having that loaded gun there (although I'll admit I probably won't keep it loaded, in fact, it's already unloaded; I DO intend, however to keep a full magazine right next to it. I dunno, a loaded gun just seems like an accident waiting to happen so I'll minimize my risks by just not loading it). In terms of a loaded chamber indicator, that works as well, but I do not think the 1911 or Mossberg 500 or large number of other firearms have loaded chamber indicators. Please correct me if I'm wrong, I very well could be--learning every day.

(In response to Russ Jackson's question "Hammer down on a loaded 1911 with a rubber band on it? Would this be Condition 5?" Naturally, I safety checked it and it was unloaded, hence the lowered trigger and manual safety being off.)

Thanks for the time and input, gentlemen (and possibly gentlewomen),
Science!

 

[Russ Jackson]

So you put the rubber band on an unloaded gun? I am confused. I thought rubber band meant loaded. Who took the strawberry preserves?...Russ

 

[Dr-Science]

So you put the rubber band on an unloaded gun? I am confused. I thought rubber band meant loaded. Who took the strawberry preserves?...Russ

Sorry, I could've been more clear. For picture-taking / handling purposes, I safety checked the 1911. I just wanted to illustrate how the rubber band idea could be used on a semi-auto. I do not keep the 1911 for home defense because... well, it's not mine. Just had it handy is all. haha.

 

[Six]

Thing is, if I left my logic at that and grabbed one of my guns the next time someone was breaking in, with the mindset it was loaded, I would be outta luck because unless I had specifically loaded it for that specific night, all of my guns are unloaded.

Don't keep unloaded guns littered around the house?

 

[Dr-Science]

Don't keep unloaded guns littered around the house?

I don't. All guns are all stored in one of two places.

 

[Flintknapper]

D/S...in all seriousness IF you have some type of short term memory issues, then anything you can do (rubber bands/other) to help remind you.... is probably a good thing.

I am not sure I fully understand the "fall asleep, wake up and forget" thing though. Most of us go to sleep each day...but when we wake up...we don't start with a clean slate.

It sounds to me....more as if you are uncomfortable with loaded firearms and for some reason do not trust yourself to remember which ones are....and are not.

If that is the problem, then I am not certain rubber bands are the answer. How can you be sure you didn't make a mistake with the rubber band?

Any weapon you would use for self defense in your home, should be left in one condition or the other (loaded/unloaded), you choose. As others have suggested, simply check the weapon if you are unsure.

Another possible option for you...would be a revolver. You can always tell the status with just a glance at the cylinder (not the front).

Another thing you can do....is store all of your weapons with the action open. No guessing the loaded status that way. Open action= No cartridge chambered, Closed action= Maybe.

If you have children at home...or some other compelling reason not to keep a loaded weapon readily accessible, then please let us know.

I hope you find something that works for you.

Flint.

 

[Six]

Then I really don't understand how there can be any confusion.

Just a few suggestions:

If a gun is stored, it's stored. Its condition should be verified when it's retrieved.

A gun that is kept for defense should be kept in a known ready condition - whatever you prefer. But please don't change it and try to remember how you left it, or use a likely-to-fail indicator.

If you load it when you get home, or unlock it, or put the magazine next to it, or whatever procedure you follow, just stick to it. But always always always treat it as loaded.

The only exemption is after you have verified that the magazine and chamber are empty. And even then the gun might magically load itself as soon as you put it down - so you'll want to check again when you pick it up.

After you're done dryfiring, cleaning, or whatever, follow your normal procedure for making the gun ready. Then say out loud "this gun is loaded" to help you remember it.

It's a simple trick to avoid something distracting you, and you going back to dryfiring after having just loaded the gun. It's happened to smarter people than me, so I like to think I'm not above it.

 

[FAS1]

No rubber bands for me. There's only one way to verify and that is to check the chamber yourself. No need to complicate things. And I don't understand how you might fall asleep when you are protecting your house from a possible intruder or why 911 wasn't called when the handle was rattled by someone in the middle of the night. What more do you need to take some kind of action? Might have prevented a few of those 15 burglaries in your neighborhood,

 

[Mainsail]

Say you have a 1911 with a seven round magazine. BUMP in the night. Get up, cycle the action. If a round falls on the floor, so what? You still have six rounds available. I know the commandos think some punk breaking in to your house will result in an extended firefight requiring a pistol to fight your way to your shotgun to fight your way to your rifle, but that's not reality.

Just cycle the action and be done with it.

 

[farson135]

I actually used that technique to help train someone to keep their finger out of the trigger guard when not firing but I would not use it for your purpose. Frankly the first rule of survival (in any and all survival scenarios) is, know your surroundings and your equipment. I could leave the lights off and still know where everything is and my defensive pistol is always in the same place and loaded. Plus, if for some reason I wasn’t sure it was loaded it has a chamber indicator that I can easily spot or feel. In other words if you plan to use your firearm defensively prepare for it because simply making it up later or using a faulty tactic is a good way to get yourself killed of injured. I think the others have given good enough safety reasons so I will not repeat but I second it.

 

[Jspotto]

All firearms are loaded. - There are no exceptions.

I am new here but I must opine! I also agree with Lee. He is not dumbing down Rule 1 as Mainsail suggest. A case in point. The DEA agent shooting himself during a classroom Demo. I assume most all LEO's carry their firearms loaded The old Military term "Lock and Load" comes to mind. To Dr-Science and every one else who thinks Rubber bands are a good idea. Lock means to insert magazine in place and Load means to Chamber a round. Rubber bands are a good idea. They are used by my local USPS to hold my mail together when I get alot. They can be used for clamping glued, small pieces of wood together.
Firearms? When purchasing a firearm, some nincompoop salesman will pull the weapon out of the case and hand it over and because he thinks he just made a sale. Assume it is loaded. When cleaning a gun, demonstrating a gun (DEA Agent), dry firing a gun, etc, assume it is loaded. Having over 30 years experience handling firearms and now a Gunsmith in training, Rule 1 is Ironclad and set in stone. It is always loaded unless checked by you and you only! In autos after dropping the Mag (ref: the young man shooting himself in the foot for racking before dropping the Mag) and pumps, they shoulded be racked several times to be certain they are unloaded. The only 100% safe firearm is one in which the Chamber is Empty.
To Mainsail, you have been on this site for a numbers of years and I'm sure you are experienced. If you are teaching a new shooter I would hope the first thing you teach them is Rule1. If you are demonstrating one, dry firing you gun in your HOME or anywhere else for that matter, I would believe you to be professional about it and check the chamber, mag, lifters etc. first to be sure the gun is SAFE. We don't know how many guns Dr-Science has but probably too many if he can't remember which is loaded. An unloaded gun is useless (except to a thief who will pawn it) and should be under lock & key. Absolutly no reason to be lying about. There is however a reason for keeping a gun loaded!
Dr-Science, if you have the Mindset that all guns are loaded and treat them as such, then there is no reason for rubber bands or worry about falling asleep or forgetting. What purpose does keeping a full magazine next to your unloaded weapon serve? Cannot be peace of mind. After the thief quietly broke into your house, you have awakened in the dark, fumbled and dropped the magazine trying to load the gun, load the chamber etc., and then in all your haste forgot to take the safety off what will you then do? You have stated all your guns are unloaded so NONE of them have Rubber Bands on them. Give them back to the USPS so they can use them. If you do not know or believe in Rule 1, sell your guns fore they make YOU a dangerous person. The whole purpose behind Rule 1 is safety and to remind YOU to check the darn thing. There are not two sets of rules! Only one Rule 1. It's always loaded. Kudos to Lee and Six.
One last comment. Can someone explain why someone would load a specific firearm on any specific given night in your home? Other then of course your usual Blackout, local jail Break or the cats tearing up the furniture. The later of course being a valid reason.

 

[Dr-Science]

You all make good, valid points. It was just an idea I had and decided to post it on here for feedback. I especially liked Mainsail's comment.
In response to FAS1's comment, I didn't call 911 because of a few reasons: 1) I had not seen anyone or heard anyone talking or footsteps, 2) the handle jiggling could have just been my imagination running at 2:30 am, 3) my father was sleeping downstairs (yeah yeah, I'm in college) so I was figuring if there were any suspicious noises he would be the first to hear and react to them, 4) I have 4 cats inside, 1 outside, and 5) the thumping could have been my neighbor, I recall an instance where there was a thumping outside at night and my dad was about to call the police when he saw that it was my neighbor trying to open a can of something with a screwdriver.
Thank you all for your concern and comments.

 

[Jspotto]

Kudos to you also Flintknapper! I could not have said it any nicer.