Firearm safety device and method for using same

Abstract

Methods for disabling firearms and firearm safety devices designed to reduce the risk of accidental discharge are provided. Safety devices according to the present invention comprise a chamber-disabling component constructed of a flexible material. The chamber-disabling component is adapted to be inserted through an opening in the firearm into the firing chamber with partial retraction of the bolt.

I claim:  
     
         1 . A method of disabling a firearm, the method including the steps of: 
 providing a firearm comprising a firing chamber, an opening in communication with the firing chamber and a bolt;    providing a safety device comprising a chamber-disabling component constructed of a flexible material, the chamber-disabling component adapted to be inserted through the opening into the firing chamber with partial retraction of the bolt; and    inserting the safety device into the chamber of the firearm.    
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising the step of removing the safety device from the firing chamber without retraction of the bolt.  
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising the step of removing the safety device with one finger.  
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising avoiding loading a round of ammunition in the firing chamber after extraction of the safety device from the firing chamber  
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising the step of providing a polymeric material as the flexible material.  
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising the step of providing a rubber material as the flexible material.  
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the chamber-disabling component substantially resists elongation.  
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the chamber-disabling component substantially resists temperature changes.  
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the chamber-disabling component substantially resists being severed.  
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the chamber-disabling component is fluorescent.  
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising the step of providing an ejection port as the opening.  
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising the step of attaching a gun-attachment member to the chamber-disabling component and the firearm.  
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 12 , further comprising the step of providing a band as the gun-attachment member.  
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 12 , further comprising the step of providing an adhesive as the gun-attachment member.  
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising the step of providing a grasping member attached to the chamber-disabling component, wherein a portion of the grasping member extends out of the firing chamber.  
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 15 , further comprising providing a handle as the portion of the grasping member that extends out of the firing chamber.  
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 15 , further comprising providing a coil the portion of the grasping member that extends out of the firing chamber.  
     
     
         18 . A safety device comprising a chamber-disabling component constructed of a flexible material, the chamber-disabling component adapted to be inserted through an opening defined in the firearm and in communication with a firing chamber of the firearm with partial retraction of a bolt of the firearm.  
     
     
         19 . The device of  claim 18 , wherein the chamber disabling-component is capable of being removed from the firing chamber without retraction of the bolt.  
     
     
         20 . The device of  claim 18 , wherein the chamber-disabling component is capable of being removed with one finger.  
     
     
         21 . The device of  claim 18 , wherein the chamber-disabling component is capable of being removed from the firing chamber without loading a round of ammunition in the firing chamber.  
     
     
         22 . The device of  claim 18 , wherein the flexible material is polymeric.  
     
     
         23 . The device of  claim 18 , wherein the flexible material is rubber.  
     
     
         24 . The device of  claim 18 , wherein the chamber-disabling component resists elongation.  
     
     
         25 . The device of  claim 18 , wherein the chamber-disabling component resists temperature changes.  
     
     
         26 . The device of  claim 18 , wherein at least a portion of the chamber-disabling component is fluorescent in color  
     
     
         27 . The device of  claim 18 , wherein the opening is an ejection port.  
     
     
         28 . The device of  claim 18 , further comprising a gun-attachment member attached to the chamber-disabling component and the firearm.  
     
     
         29 . The device of  claim 28 , wherein the gun-attachment member is a band.  
     
     
         30 . The device of  claim 28 , wherein the gun-attachment member is an adhesive.  
     
     
         31 . The device of  claim 18 , further comprising a grasping member attached to the chamber-disabling component, wherein a portion of the grasping member extends out of the firing chamber.  
     
     
         32 . The device of  claim 31 , wherein the portion of the grasping member that extends out of the firing chamber comprises a handle.  
     
     
         33 . The device of  claim 31 , wherein the portion of the grasping member that extends out of the firing chamber comprises a coil.  
     
     
         34 . The device of  claim 18 , wherein at least a portion of the chamber-disabling component has a substantially smooth surface.