Without Compromise

A new "safety" gadget is being marketed to gun owners.

The Child Guard CS-100 firearm safety device boasts more firearm safety features than any other gun lock on the market, securely fitting rifles, shotguns, pistols, and revolvers without compromising quick emergency use.

Even their Mission Statement promises:

Only Child Guard's patent pending No-LoadTM accessories allow most revolvers and pistols to be stored safely and made inert - unable to be loaded, placed into battery, or fired - but still be instantly available in an emergency situation.

Yeah, right.

That's why their instructions have all those steps. That's why you apparently need a key (that can be fumbled, dropped or lost) to open the thing. That's why they tell you (twice) in big bold letters:

NEVER INSTALL ANY CHILD GUARD UNIT ON A LOADED FIREARM.
Make sure the firearm is unloaded before proceeding.

Wait a minute--they tell you FOUR times. I forgot to check the disclaimers:

All firearms are potentially deadly. To avoid serious injury or death, never use this or any child safety device on a loaded firearm. This product is intended for use on unloaded firearms only.

Before attempting to install your child safety device, make sure the firearm is completely unloaded.

Yep, sounds like "quick emergency use" isn't compromised, alright. Sounds like your gun will be "instantly available" to me.

But I guess because the inventor is an "NRA Life Member" and "gun writer," he wouldn't mislead us about something like that. And just to facilitate that quick emergency use/instant availability they promise us won't be compromised, they add the following useful safety tips:

Always store firearms unloaded and locked in a safe place, inaccessible to children and other unauthorized persons. Store ammunition in a separate secure location.

Always remember to remove your key from the child safety device.

Do not store the key or combination to any Child Guard child safety device in the same place as your locked firearm.

Still, if it's so safe and effective and noncompromising in its quick emergency usability/instant availability, why do you suppose they feel compelled to put the following disclaimer in all caps?

CHILD GUARD IS NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR ACCIDENTS OR INJURIES, AND SHALL NOT BE LIABLE FOR INCIDENTAL OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES.

And not to argue petty details or anything, but their press release says their gadget "boasts more firearm safety features than any other gun lock on the market."

So how come their home page says:

It is NOT a gun lock or a trigger lock.

I guess that's why it needs a key.

Pitchfork murder, anyone?

Tags: gun, trigger, lock