Device and Method for Locking a Gun and Ensuring its Firing Chamber is Empty

Abstract

A firearm inhibiting device and method of using the same is disclosed which will only mount onto the firearm if the firing chamber is empty of ammunition (a live cartridge). Further inhibiting, for handguns the device prevents operation of the gun's action mechanism. Further inhibiting, for long-guns the device prevents a live cartridge from entering the firing chamber. The empty chamber indication is unique in that it will indicate an empty firing chamber while the action is prevented from operation and in the battery position.

1 - 20 . (canceled) 
     
     
         21 . A gun-locking device attachable to a firearm, the gun-locking device being configurable selectively to a locked configuration and a released configuration, the firearm comprising a barrel and a trigger, the firearm comprising a muzzle end from which a bullet can exit the barrel, the firearm comprising a breech end located opposite the muzzle end of the firearm, the firearm defining a firing chamber to receive the bullet prior to the bullet being propelled through the barrel, the firing chamber being between the muzzle end and the breech end, the firearm being generally upright when the barrel is substantially horizontal while the trigger is extending down below the barrel, the gun-locking device comprising:
 a front member;   a rod extending from the front member;   a rear member;   a hinge coupling the front member to the rear member, wherein the rear member pivots relative to the front member about the hinge as the gun-locking device changes between the locked configuration and the released configuration;   in the locked configuration:   a. the front member engaging the muzzle end,   b. the rod extending into the barrel and into the firing chamber,   c. the rear member being closer to at least one of the firing chamber and the breech end than to the muzzle end; and   in the released configuration, the front end and the rear end are spaced apart from the firearm.   
     
     
         22 . The gun locking device of  claim 21 , further comprising:
 a muzzle retainer comprising the front member and a front arm, wherein the front arm extends from the front member toward the rear member when the gun-locking device is in the locked configuration; and   a breech retainer comprising the rear member and a rear arm, wherein the rear arm extends from the rear member toward the front member when the gun-locking device is in the locked configuration, and the hinge pivotally connects the front arm to the rear arm.   
     
     
         23 . The gun-locking device of  claim 22 , wherein the front arm and rear arm extend over the barrel when the gun-locking device is in the locked configuration while the firearm is generally upright. 
     
     
         24 . The gun-locking device of  claim 22 , further comprising a lock being disposed on at least one of the muzzle retainer and the breach retainer when the gun-locking device is in the locked configuration, the lock having selectively a locked state and an unlocked state, the lock being more restrictive of the rear member pivoting about the hinge when the gun-locking device is in the locked configuration while the lock is in the locked state than when the gun-locking device is in the released configuration while the lock is in the unlocked state. 
     
     
         25 . The gun-locking device of  claim 22 , wherein the front arm extends from the front member to a front distal end of the front arm, the rear arm extends from the rear member to a rear distal end of the rear arm, and the gun-locking device is such that:
 in the locked configuration:
 a. the front arm overlaps both the rear arm and the barrel, 
 b. the front member of the muzzle retainer is closer to the rear distal end than to the front distal end, and 
 c. the rear member of the breech retainer is closer to the front distal end than to the rear distal end. 
   
     
     
         26 . The gun-locking device of  claim 21 , wherein the hinge is above the barrel when the gun-locking device is in the locked configuration while the firearm is generally upright. 
     
     
         27 . The gun-locking device of  claim 21 , wherein the rear member engages the breech end of the firearm when the gun-locking device is in the locked configuration. 
     
     
         28 . The gun-locking device of  claim 21 , wherein the hinge is closer to the front member than to the rear member. 
     
     
         29 . A gun-locking device attachable to a firearm, the gun-locking device being configurable selectively to a locked configuration and a released configuration, the firearm comprising a barrel and a trigger, the firearm comprising a muzzle end from which a bullet can exit the barrel, the firearm comprising a breech end located opposite the muzzle end of the firearm, the firearm defining a firing chamber to receive the bullet prior to the bullet being propelled through the barrel, the firing chamber being between the muzzle end and the breech end, the firearm being generally upright when the barrel is substantially horizontal while the trigger is extending down below the barrel, the gun-locking device comprising:
 a front member;   a rod extending from the front member;   a rear member;   a hinge coupling the front member to the rear member, wherein the rear member pivots relative to the front member about the hinge as the gun-locking device changes between the locked configuration and the released configuration;   a muzzle retainer comprising the front member and a front arm, wherein the front arm extends from the front member toward the rear member when the gun-locking device is in the locked configuration; and   a breech retainer comprising the rear member and a rear arm, wherein the rear arm extends from the rear member toward the front member when the gun-locking device is in the locked configuration, and the hinge pivotally couples the front arm to the rear arm such that:   in the locked configuration while the firearm is generally upright,
 a. the front member engages the muzzle end, 
 b. the rod extends into the barrel and into the firing chamber, 
 c. the rear member is closer to at least one of the firing chamber and the breech end than to the muzzle end, 
 d. the front arm and rear arm extend over the barrel, 
 e. the hinge is above the barrel, 
 f. the front arm overlaps both the rear arm and the barrel, 
 g. the front member of the muzzle retainer is closer to the rear distal end than to the front distal end, and 
 h. the rear member of the breech retainer is closer to the front distal end than to the rear distal end; and 
   in the released configuration, the muzzle retainer and the breech retainer are spaced apart from the firearm.   
     
     
         30 . The gun-locking device of  claim 29 , further comprising a lock being disposed on at least one of the muzzle retainer and the breach retainer when the gun-locking device is in the locked configuration, the lock having selectively a locked state and an unlocked state, the lock being more restrictive of the rear member pivoting about the hinge when the gun-locking device is in the locked configuration while the lock is in the locked state than when the gun-locking device is in the released configuration while the lock is in the unlocked state. 
     
     
         31 . The gun-locking device of  claim 29 , wherein the rear member engages the breech end of the firearm when the gun-locking device is in the locked configuration. 
     
     
         32 . The gun-locking device of  claim 29 , wherein the hinge is closer to the front member than to the rear member.