Firearm safety device and method

Abstract

The firearm safety device and method for locking of a firearm is useful for breech load and revolver type weapons. The case hardened shackle lock has a shackle for insertion through an open breech including a magazine well thereof or a revolver space to engage a top strap thereof. The shackle is then slidably inserted into a lock body to be retained by a lock mechanism. The legs of the shackle have a plurality of notches to engage the lock mechanism to accommodate a variety of forms and types of firearms. The insertion of the shackle in the firearm in this manner prevents the insertion of a magazine, inhibits the insertion of a cartridge in the chamber, prevents the closing of the breech bolt or the revolver cylinder, and prevents contact of the firing pin on the cartridge.

I claim:  
     
         1 . A device for securing a firearm comprising: 
 a lock having a shackle for slidable engagement with a lock body;    the shackle having a bridge and a plurality of legs attached thereto; and    the legs having a plurality of notches formed therein positioned to engage a locking mechanism in the lock body when the legs are slidably inserted in the lock body.    
     
     
         2 . The device as in  claim 1  wherein the shackle is generally a U shape form with two legs.  
     
     
         3 . The device as in  claim 1  wherein the shackle is generally a U shape form with a flattened bridge element having a strap notch formed therein.  
     
     
         4 . The device as in  claim 1  wherein the shackle at an attachment end is generally an oblong shape form with a pair of legs.  
     
     
         5 . The device as in  claim 1  wherein the shackle at an attachment end is generally a rectangular shape form with a pair of legs.  
     
     
         6 . The device as in  claim 1  wherein the locking mechanism is actuated by a combination type locking element.  
     
     
         7 . The device as in  claim 1  wherein a protective covering is placed on the shackle.  
     
     
         8 . The device as in  claim 7  wherein the protective covering is a sleeve.  
     
     
         9 . The device as in  claim 1  wherein the shackle is comprised of a case hardened steel.  
     
     
         10 . A device for securing a firearm comprising: 
 a lock having a shackle for slidable engagement with a lock body;    the shackle of generally U shape having a bridge and a pair of legs attached thereto; and    each leg having a notch formed therein positioned to engage a combination type locking mechanism in the lock body when the legs are slidably inserted in the lock body.    
     
     
         11 . A device for securing a firearm comprising: 
 a lock having a shackle for slidable engagement with a lock body;    the shackle having a bridge with a strap notch formed therein and a pair of legs attached thereto; and    the legs having a plurality of notches formed therein positioned to engage a locking mechanism in the lock body when the legs are slidably inserted in the lock body.    
     
     
         12 . A method for securing a firearm, comprising the steps of: 
 inserting a shackle through the breech and magazine well of the firearm;    slidably inserting a pair of legs of the shackle into a lock body; and    locking the legs with a locking mechanism in the lock body.    
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 12  further comprising the step of: 
 inserting the shackle through a ring of an anchoring element prior to engagement with the lock body.  
 
     
     
         14 . A method for securing a firearm comprising the steps of: 
 inserting a shackle through the cylinder space of a revolver firearm such that the shackle is around a top strap thereof;    slidably inserting a pair of legs of the shackle into a lock body; and    locking the legs with a locking mechanism in the lock body.    
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 14  further comprising the step of: 
 inserting the shackle through a ring of an anchoring element prior to engagement with the lock body.