Rolled Out On: 2/14/2008 7:04 AM

Its not a great argument, Robb. I don't know of a single "safe storage Law" that requires a locking device on a gun that is being carried holstered, or being handled. Meanwhile the one time I was arressted (a simple clarical mistake that resulted in a warrent, in the end, no harm no foul) the police (for reasons I'm not sure of) were not allowed to bring their sidearms into the room where I was photographed and fingerprinted. They placed each of their Glocks into locked boxes before taking me into the room. While I have read a LOT of stories where Mass Cops are allowed to "cheat" on gun laws the rest of us subjects must follow, Safe Storage is not one of them.

This in no way says I'm in favor of trigger locks. A better argment would be "Can you prove the make a difference"

I grew up in Maine, and I'd often see houses where a glass gun case adorned the living room. No lock, and often a drawer in the bottom contained ammo. (Guns and ammo stored unlocked and in the same location! OH NOS!!!) but the accidental shootings are very low. Heck its almost nothing if you take out hunting accidents (hunting is often easier to do, and more common in states with permissive gun laws as well....more hunting, more risk of accident)

Also on a side note, I'm curious on how many suicides are written off as "Accidents" for the sake of family grief (Kid found dead of a self inflicted gunshot wound is it suicide, or was he "playing"? Kid found dead with a LOT of herion in their system. Is it a drug OD or suicide....If I knew the family, I wouldn't press the issue...)

Here in Mass we are required to store all guns "Not under your direct control" either with a locking device, in a locked container, or disasembled. Yet we have about the same number per-capita of accidential shootings as neighboring more permissive states.

Of course here you ALSO need a licence and have taken a safty course JUST to OWN a gun here, and all guns MUST be sold with a locking device. All of the accidential shootings I read about here are also illigally held guns....

So you get into the debate similar to "Is Organic Food Better For you?"

Well there is the argument WHY its better. But overall there is no clean-cut data on the subject. Worse yet, people who buy organic are often very different than people who don't.
They're often wealthier (Organic food costs more)
More likley to be watching their diet and health, and get proper exercise (natch)
Are also concerned about other chemicals in their life (though this is not as often as clear-cut)

Also because Organic farms are MUCH smaller than most conventional farms, the food is grown and handled differently.

So in the end there is too much noise in the data set to PROVE they help...but its also impossible to prove they don't.


What I CAN point to is when things wake me up how long it takes me to identify WHAT woak me up, and how fast I can move after that.

Personally I think if a Goblin kicks my door down with intent to do me harm, it will take me precious moments to actully identify the threat given that I am in a deep sleep, it will take me more time to ready my gun.

Definetly if I am in imminant danger that gives NO time for 911 to respond, and it strikes me as a tight race to see if I could defend myself because my gun is secured by law with a trigger lock.

Also I know that ANY locking device aside from a high-end gun safe will not do much to detur my guns from being stolen or used by unauthorized people. So I'd be stupid to trust them at all.

Rolled Out On: 2/14/2008 6:54 PM

Weer'd, while everything you say is true, I think you may have missed Rob's point.

Anti-gunners and police chiefs, governors, and elected officials all over the country who have supported the gunlock meme have repeatedly stated that safe gun storage laws provide no substantial impediment to those in need of that firearm in an emergency.

Rob was merely pointing out that they don't believe it or police would be required to carry their guns in a manner comparable to safe storage since they all claim that those laws offer no real impediment to access of use in an emergency.

I would like to see them pass such legislation. I truly would. Cops all over the country would quit. Can you imagine how much crybabying would take place during the debates? All the crying and whining about placing our officers at the same risk as civilians.

Rolled Out On: 2/14/2008 6:56 PM

Only then would you find out what they really believe about gunlocks. Which would certainly make it obvious just whom they want be at a fatal disadvantage.