I previously wrote about a new “trigger safety sheer pin” device, and no I’m not a fan.

I just had Daughter and Youngest try to press the trigger on a new, stock Smith & Wesson 640-3. I don’t have a trigger pull-weight gauge so I don’t know the exact weight, but I can tell you it’s heavy, probably in that 12-15 lbs. range. With one finger, neither child could make the trigger budge even a millimeter. Using 2 fingers (both index fingers), no problem.

So you know… where there’s a will, there’s a way. This “safety” device isn’t going to prevent irresponsible gun handling and storage, which is really the root problem. Let’s work to address the real root problem, not symptoms.

For a start, check out those new safety videos from MidwayUSA. There’s a video on storage.

Check out Kathy Jackson’s Cornered Cat website. She has a section about kids and guns. Her article about “Disarming Kids’ Curiosity About Firearms” I think is a key factor. The kids don’t have to shoot, they don’t have to care about guns at all. But removing their curiosity, alleviating their ignorance, I believe that helps. Programs like the NRA’s Eddie Eagle where they teach small kids to “Stop. Don’t touch. Leave the area. Tell an adult.” makes for a simple and effective ruleset for young children to follow if they come across a firearm.

Despite our best efforts, we are human. We are fallible. We make mistakes, sometimes costly ones. Ignorance doesn’t help our ability to make wise decisions. Education, responsible ownership, responsible parenting… that’s going to take us further than any device or gadget. There may not be a lot of financial profit in that route, but I think the payoff is greater.