(FLORIDA) Panhandle Man Invents Bullet to Prevent Accidental Shootings (NRA Member)

AP Breaking News ^ | 29 July 2002

[MeneMeneTekelUpharsin]

PANAMA CITY, Fla. (AP) - Accidental shootings involving children nationally along with one next door prompted Mike Worley to invent a bullet to prevent such tragedies. Worley, a professional photographer and gun enthusiast who belongs to the National Rifle Association, turned in a patent application earlier this year for the design that will lock up a gun when accidentally fired.

In case after case, children have shot themselves or playmates with guns that adults had hidden away and even locked up, Worley said Monday. "The kids will find the guns," Worley said. "I figured there has to be a way to stop this nonsense." The Safety Bullet would be left in the firing chamber. If the owner needed to shoot the weapon for self protection it could be quickly ejected, clearing the way for a real bullet in the next chamber.

If someone should pull the trigger with the Safety Bullet in the firing chamber, however, it would jam the weapon until removed with a special tool. Worley believes it would prevent suicides as well as accidental shootings such as the one that occurred next door about six months ago. "A boy who had been trained to use guns safely picked the lock on the gun safe to show his friend his dad's .357 Magnum," Worley said. "When he handed the gun to his friend, the boy pulled the trigger and shot through his forearm and elbow. Several surgeries later, the kid is just now getting the use of his hand back."

With Worley's idea, when the trigger is pulled, the force pushes a pin into a plastic sleeve around the bullet and expands it, which causes the shell to become locked in the firing chamber. He said Safety Bullets could be made to work with all types of firearms. Worley said it could take three years for him to hear from the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. In the meantime, he has shown his idea to gun control groups such as the Million Mom March and The Brady Center, along with gun maker Remington Arms Co. of Madison, Wis., and Corbin Manufacturing and Supply Inc., of White City, Ore., which designs bullet-making machines. Corbin is working on prototypes, Worley said. "I do not want fame and fortune," he said. "This is a simple device that takes safety to the next level."

[MeneMeneTekelUpharsin]

Good thinking. Maybe it will work.

[AStack75]

[zandtar]

"The kids will find the guns," Worley said

Responsible gun owners don't have them available for the kids to "find" and "play" with.

Worley believes it would prevent suicides

How? Like someone wanting to eat a bullet couldn't remember to discharge this stopping round and chamber a functional one?

A boy who had been trained to use guns safely

Apparently not.

[Washingtonian]

This is a stupid idea. 1) There are very few accidental gun deaths involving children. This piece exaggerates the number. The CDC shows that in 1999 there were 31 accidental deaths for children under 10. 2) Boy this will make the gun really useful for self defense.

[BADROTOFINGER]

Worley said. "I do not want fame and fortune," he said. "This is a simple device that takes safety to the next level."

Then give me the design and I will not only take safety to the next level, but get stinking rich doing it. Kalishnikov got jack-squat-nothing for the AK, dont make the same mistake, bud...JFK

[MsGail61]

Looks like Jocelyn Elders' "safer bullets" have come to pass.

[Redcloak]

OK... So when some guy is coming through the window screen at 3 am, how quickly can Cindee Havefunrapingmysorrybuttbeforeyoustrangleme remove the little plastic thingee once it's jammed in her now useless gun?

It's for the cherlins ya know.

[tet68]

This guy is an idiot and will get someone killed.

[Looking for Diogenes]

Responsible gun owners don't have them available for the kids to "find" and "play" with.

Responsible gun owners keep their guns in a gun safe.

Worley believes it would prevent suicides as well as accidental shootings such as the one that occurred next door about six months ago. "A boy who had been trained to use guns safely picked the lock on the gun safe to show his friend his dad's .357 Magnum,"

[Pharmboy]

I like it. At least it will shut the gun-grabbers up for a nano-second or two.

[Bob]

At least it will shut the gun-grabbers up for a nano-second or two.

Do you really think so? I seriously doubt it.

[Sidebar Moderator]

Do you have a link for this article?

[john in missouri]

A boy who had been trained to use guns safely picked the lock on the gun safe

Big difference between being told how to use guns safely and being trained to use guns safely.

[TheDon]

An interesting idea, and no doubt well intended, but I have to agree with the second part of your sentence.

As the firearm is disabled with this safety bullet, I'm guessing there will be many victims killed by criminals due to the victim forgetting to eject the safety bullet.

The other way that this will kill more people is that some will become more lax about where they store their firearm since the safety bullet will prevent any problems. This will cause more children to have access to firearms, and there will be cases where the kids will eject the safety bullet then hurt someone with live rounds.

Does anyone really think that those who are careless with firearms around children, are actually going to make the effort to buy a safety bullet and make sure it is properly used?

[Pharmboy]

For a second--until they can all learn the faxed talking points about it. But seriously, it will allow us to continue to position the NRA as a responsible organization that does more than anyone else for gun safety.

[doug from upland]

I am willing to look at this. Indeed, it could deflate some of the arguments of the gun grabbers. When an adult is gone, the bullet could be in the chamber. When he needs it to protect his family while at home, it doesn't have to be in the chamber. Before dismissing it, let's look at it seriously.

[Khepera]

He didn't invent these I have had "Snap Caps" for years. They protect the firing pin when "Dry firing" the weapon for practice.

Suicide will not be prevented by fake rounds.

[elbucko]

"A boy who had been trained to use guns safely picked the lock on the gun safe.."

If my boy, picked my safe, he wouldn't ever be able to pick his nose with that hand.
(The little b*st*rd)

[vortigern]

If someone should pull the trigger with the Safety Bullet in the firing chamber, however, it would jam the weapon until removed with a special tool.

In your typical revolver there are six 'chambers', if the shell casing expanded to block one 'chamber' -- you merely, pull the trigger again to bring a new 'chamber' into position. If the casing expands as it enters the barrel and obstucts it -- Then the 'live' round would cause the gun to explode. Prehaps, I'm missing something here??