In the event the lock is removed, I guess I would argue that there seems to be much documentation about occasional failures of the lock. Since the lock was removed, you had an alternative method for safe storage, such as a lock box or trigger lock, etc.
The lock would have been deactivated for carry anyway, so the lack of the lock means nothing with respect to whether the perpetrator would have gotten shot. As to the question of whether you are a nutcase with homicidal tendencies as shown by your removal of the lock, I would think your reasons could be adequately explained so a jury could understand that those reasons relate not to your willingness or desire to kill someone, but to your desire to make sure your means of self defense does not fail in time of need.
I assume that your attorney would be able to point out that S&Ws did not have this feature until recently, that other companies don't have it at all, that it was mandated by some states, not yours, that S&W still manufactures revolvers without the feature (current 642s, 37s, 40s and supposedly 442s), that most semi-auto pistols don't have such a feature, that there are some documented failures of the device, that you safely store your weapon by other means, which is the only reason the lock is needed in the first place, as it would never be carried with the lock activated, and that this action of deactivating the lock was the effort of a responsible person to make sure his chosen method of self defense did not fail at the wrong time, etc.
I still don't understand why, if S&W can make the lock an option on autos, the lock cannot be offered as an option on revolvers. That way, customers could decide.
If it bothers you that much, just pull the entire thing out. You are aware of the issues and you can just roll the dice on the chances of lock failure versus having it come back to haunt you in the event of a shooting.
If your car alarm prevents the engine from starting when it "goes off," and you heard about failures where owner's cars get disabled, thereby stranding the motorist due to "false alarms," then would you be having this heartburn about unplugging the damned thing? I think not, even though deactivating the alarm might make it easier for a thief to steal your car and run over someone while fleeing the crime.
I see the issue the same as diabling a burglar alarm on your car. It might require explanation, but I do not see it as insurmountable. Besides I would be willing to bet that only a very tiny minority of S&W owners (or any other brand for that matter) actually use those on board locks, and I presume that most who have one or more do not always carry a key.
