I agree some more connective tissue would not have been amiss, e.g. “I’ll take on the NRA just like I took on the tobacco companies” sort of thing.
Overall a pretty good spot, though perhaps a bit choppy.
whoaitsjoesays
I own guns. For a while, I had a trigger lock the one in my nightstand. Then one night, there was a crash in my place. I grabbed my handgun, and attempted to key the lock off of it.
Holy crap.
I sleep in a pitch black bedroom. Hate any sort of illumination when I sleep. Even having practiced, I did not get that lock off quickly. Part of it was getting the key, which for practical reasons wasn’t sitting next to the gun, but also wasn’t too far away that I could reach where I stowed it. Luckily, the loud noise was the mirror in my shower that I use for shaving falling off in my echoey bathroom.
Moral of the story: having a gun in a drawer with no lock or anything makes me nervous as a gun-owner, even though there aren’t kids in the house or anything. Keyed locks or combination locks work best with a light on, but if there’s someone in my house, I don’t exactly want to start flipping switches on or clapping. I’ve never used a biometric trigger lock, but if its as simple as grabbing the gun, pressing my thumb to it and it pops off allowing me to have a live weapon, I would think that has numerous advantages over other forms of safe storage.
Does anyone here have one and can speak as to ease of use?
Moral of the story: having a gun owner who’s first instinct is to shoot gravity in the middle of the night makes me nervous as a citizen, even though whoaitsjoe doesn’t live in my house or anything.
whoaitsjoesays
I probably waited a solid 2 or 3 minutes before I even exited my bedroom, listening for other noises that may be indicative of a home invader. First instinct is ensure my immediate safety regardless of the cause of a noise loud enough to wake me up. (I’m not a light sleeper)
Why would you assume that I my instinct is to shoot something or someone? You don’t know me. That’s a pretty awful accusation to level with zero justification. It’s also the type of assumption of your neighbors that contributes to such an aggressive political atmosphere. Don’t assume everyone with a gun is a nutcase with a death-upon-others wish. I don’t assume non-gun owners are a bunch of pansies who are inviting themselves to become victims, after all.
You told a story about how you heard a noise and you went for your gun, and then you discovered that you couldn’t use your gun.
That was your story. Nobody asked for it.
Based on the details you provided, I wrote a different tongue-in-cheek moral, maintaining as much structure from your sentence as possible. And, frankly, it’s funny. One could imagine Walter Matthau waking up startled and fumbling in the dark with the pistol.
P.S. While the joke included shooting at gravity, we’re all pretty sure you’d miss.
whoaitsjoesays
I have NEVER missed shooting at gravity. I’ll be floating in the cold vacuum of space before that ever happens.
couvessays
which is not the same as a trigger lock.
Trying to force the technology on gun owners has not exactly encouraged them to adopt it.
theloquaciousliberalsays
Yes, on his website and in many other places, Tolan has used the phrase “smart gun technology” to describe what he seeks to mandate in new guns sold.
And I get that this is somewhat of a vague term that may include radio-emitting technology that’s not accurately described as only a trigger lock.
This technology, which includes fingerprint trigger locks, prevents anyone other than a gun’s owners from pulling the trigger.(emphasis added)
Then, in this very ad, Tolman wisely avoids the term “smart gun” altogether and says simply he will “require fingerprint trigger locks on new guns sold.”
Given these clarifications, do you still think Tolman is actually proposing to mandate new guns include anything other than a biometric or “personalized” trigger lock?
couvessays
who seemed to think that Tolman was proposing a biometric version of the locks that new guns are already sold with.
As Joe described, the trigger locks sold with guns today are mechanical devices that must be unlocked and removed from the gun before it can function. The gun itself is not altered, nor is there any legal requirement that the lock be used at all (the storage requirement is satisfied by a safe alone).
Smart gun technology, which is what Tollman wants to mandate, is integral to the gun’s function and cannot be removed. As Tolman says on his website, the technology ensures that the trigger can only be pulled by the person the gun is programmed to. It’s a great use of technology, although it will need to have a very low error rate for firearms that are intended for self defense.
Smart gun technology is unlikely to be mandated anytime soon, much less mandated by AG regulation. Nor will there be a need to mandate it. Once law enforcement starts using it, and prove its reliability, gun owners will follow suit.
whoaitsjoesays
I’m not hot on that idea. That said, I had assumed such a device already existed. For the reasons outlines above, it DOES make a lot of sense. Googled a bit, found this:
I had no idea the NRA had that big a building! TIL.
Christophersays
I’m not sure what they do with all the space, though part of it is a firearms museum. They wanted to look imposing and they are also very visible from the highway, I believe the Dulles Access Road, which was also part of the plan.
lynpbsays
n/t
SomervilleTomsays
I think this ad very effectively sends several important messages in 30 seconds:
– Mr. Tolman comes from a working-class background.
– There ARE important differences of substance between the candidates
– Mr. Tolman has fought and won difficult battles before
– Mr. Tolman seeks to LEAD important fights as AG. His opponent promises to continue the passive the-time-is-not-right sleight-of-hand that is the hallmark of the current AG.
I agree some more connective tissue would not have been amiss, e.g. “I’ll take on the NRA just like I took on the tobacco companies” sort of thing.
Overall a pretty good spot, though perhaps a bit choppy.
I own guns. For a while, I had a trigger lock the one in my nightstand. Then one night, there was a crash in my place. I grabbed my handgun, and attempted to key the lock off of it.
Holy crap.
I sleep in a pitch black bedroom. Hate any sort of illumination when I sleep. Even having practiced, I did not get that lock off quickly. Part of it was getting the key, which for practical reasons wasn’t sitting next to the gun, but also wasn’t too far away that I could reach where I stowed it. Luckily, the loud noise was the mirror in my shower that I use for shaving falling off in my echoey bathroom.
Moral of the story: having a gun in a drawer with no lock or anything makes me nervous as a gun-owner, even though there aren’t kids in the house or anything. Keyed locks or combination locks work best with a light on, but if there’s someone in my house, I don’t exactly want to start flipping switches on or clapping. I’ve never used a biometric trigger lock, but if its as simple as grabbing the gun, pressing my thumb to it and it pops off allowing me to have a live weapon, I would think that has numerous advantages over other forms of safe storage.
Does anyone here have one and can speak as to ease of use?
Moral of the story: having a gun owner who’s first instinct is to shoot gravity in the middle of the night makes me nervous as a citizen, even though whoaitsjoe doesn’t live in my house or anything.
I probably waited a solid 2 or 3 minutes before I even exited my bedroom, listening for other noises that may be indicative of a home invader. First instinct is ensure my immediate safety regardless of the cause of a noise loud enough to wake me up. (I’m not a light sleeper)
Why would you assume that I my instinct is to shoot something or someone? You don’t know me. That’s a pretty awful accusation to level with zero justification. It’s also the type of assumption of your neighbors that contributes to such an aggressive political atmosphere. Don’t assume everyone with a gun is a nutcase with a death-upon-others wish. I don’t assume non-gun owners are a bunch of pansies who are inviting themselves to become victims, after all.
You told a story about how you heard a noise and you went for your gun, and then you discovered that you couldn’t use your gun.
That was your story. Nobody asked for it.
Based on the details you provided, I wrote a different tongue-in-cheek moral, maintaining as much structure from your sentence as possible. And, frankly, it’s funny. One could imagine Walter Matthau waking up startled and fumbling in the dark with the pistol.
P.S. While the joke included shooting at gravity, we’re all pretty sure you’d miss.
I have NEVER missed shooting at gravity. I’ll be floating in the cold vacuum of space before that ever happens.
which is not the same as a trigger lock.
Trying to force the technology on gun owners has not exactly encouraged them to adopt it.
Yes, on his website and in many other places, Tolan has used the phrase “smart gun technology” to describe what he seeks to mandate in new guns sold.
And I get that this is somewhat of a vague term that may include radio-emitting technology that’s not accurately described as only a trigger lock.
BUT, Toman’s website (and Tolman himself) frequently defines “smart gun” technology as follows:
Then, in this very ad, Tolman wisely avoids the term “smart gun” altogether and says simply he will “require fingerprint trigger locks on new guns sold.”
Given these clarifications, do you still think Tolman is actually proposing to mandate new guns include anything other than a biometric or “personalized” trigger lock?
who seemed to think that Tolman was proposing a biometric version of the locks that new guns are already sold with.
As Joe described, the trigger locks sold with guns today are mechanical devices that must be unlocked and removed from the gun before it can function. The gun itself is not altered, nor is there any legal requirement that the lock be used at all (the storage requirement is satisfied by a safe alone).
Smart gun technology, which is what Tollman wants to mandate, is integral to the gun’s function and cannot be removed. As Tolman says on his website, the technology ensures that the trigger can only be pulled by the person the gun is programmed to. It’s a great use of technology, although it will need to have a very low error rate for firearms that are intended for self defense.
Smart gun technology is unlikely to be mandated anytime soon, much less mandated by AG regulation. Nor will there be a need to mandate it. Once law enforcement starts using it, and prove its reliability, gun owners will follow suit.
I’m not hot on that idea. That said, I had assumed such a device already existed. For the reasons outlines above, it DOES make a lot of sense. Googled a bit, found this:
http://www.wired.com/2014/05/sentinl-gun-lock/
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YmAv2Xm0VnA
Apparently it’s in the start-up phase right now.
Good stuff! Hope it catches on.
I had no idea the NRA had that big a building! TIL.
I’m not sure what they do with all the space, though part of it is a firearms museum. They wanted to look imposing and they are also very visible from the highway, I believe the Dulles Access Road, which was also part of the plan.
n/t
I think this ad very effectively sends several important messages in 30 seconds:
– Mr. Tolman comes from a working-class background.
– There ARE important differences of substance between the candidates
– Mr. Tolman has fought and won difficult battles before
– Mr. Tolman seeks to LEAD important fights as AG. His opponent promises to continue the passive the-time-is-not-right sleight-of-hand that is the hallmark of the current AG.