The "PLUG"

[Rolan_Kraps]

I'm eagerly awaiting the arrival of my Plug!

 

[BubbaGubber]

The big thing is "SAFETY", got to love those kids and keep them safe, the lock can help with that part. But please teach the kids not to touch or play with the gun, A gallon of bug juice and a 357 does real well in showing them what can happen. This is the best reasons for and not for the lock that has been on this forum that I have got to read. I have no kids around so all of the ones that I shoot are plugged, but it isn't for everyone as noted above. Safety in firearms is everyones job if you like or dislike a firearm. Everyone should learn to use one in a safe matter.

Well put.....with or without the plug....those firearms need to be completely SAFE at ALL times. And.....with or without the plug....there's no reason they can't be EQUALLY safe.

 

[HK-N-THE-HOUSE]

I consider the IL on the S&Ws to simply be a "locking device". They are nothing more or less. You turn the key to lock or you turn the key to unlock. You have the same thing when you loop on the chain lock that comes with some weapons. They either have the locks on or taken off. I certainly would not keep a weapon on my night table with the chain lock on it, nor would i keep a weapon with the IL turned to "lock". If you have children then you do have some precautions that need to be taken otherwise. In the event you ever have to use the weapon, i would really hate to tell the Bad Guy "oh wait a minute while i get my key & unlock my weapon so i can defend my family". Legal issues, i just don't see them. I haven't seen any State or Federal Statutes which prohibit them. Perhaps some other guys can comment about their State Statutes, or perhaps some of our "legal-beagles" can express their thoughts on this issue. The "Plugs" are well engineered and made. They are certainly worth the money they cost .
Carl

I have tried to research any legal issue that might have come up from a gun being used to defend one-self with the lock being removed and I must say , I have not been able to find one case. If any one knows of a case please post it on this form with soures.

 

[Bullseye Smith]

I have ask a few lawyers about it and done some research myself and never found anything about it myself. Thanks for the input emmitstoll.

 

[500 Magnum Nut]

Massad Ayoob charges for his expert witness services.

 

[HK-N-THE-HOUSE]

My expertise is the art of research , smiley face , wink , smiley face , wink.

 

[haifabuddy]

I only have one SW with the IL, a 686+. All others, carry pieces, are older, non-IL models. I would not hesitate to take out IL and install "plug" if I carried the 686 regularly or shot it more. Possible liability not an issue and the "plug" is the cat's meow.

As to legal. I do believe alteration made to guns (particularly factory safeties) has been mentioned in some legal opinions. However, I am unaware of any appeals decisions relating to criminal or civil liability in the last 20 years which focus on a deactivated safety as the cause of sustained liability. My concern would be state or local child safety laws pertaining to locks on firearms which might be interpreted in a way to make the "plug" an issue. (For example a gun left in the house not in a vault or lockbox or other device and the S&W lock unlocked, where local law says lock must be engaged if there is one but does not force someone to buy a secondary device). And, we should expect local laws to get tougher on "safety" as the general laws on guns (and locks) begins to consider the two recent Supreme Court cases. I suspect some local laws that require locking boxes or cables would be satisfied by using the S&W IL.

 

[Harrison]

As to legal. I do believe alteration made to guns and particularly safeties has been mentioned in some legal opinions of courts.


The plug is not a gun safety. It is a form of lock, just like the cable lock that comes with every pistol sold by a dealer, and every new factory pistol. You are not deactivating a gun safety by removing the IL. In fact, if your pistol came with a cable lock, the IL is redundant.

 

[haifabuddy]

I erred in interchanging lock for safety; I am editing now to make clear.