NCJ Number
202052
Journal
Law Enforcement Technology Volume: 30 Issue: 8 Dated: August 2003 Pages: 90,92,94
Date Published
August 2003
Length
4 pages
Annotation
This article discusses the SAF-T-ROUND, an innovative firearm safety product.
Abstract
The product is designed to be placed into the chamber of a semi-automatic/automatic firearm or pump shotgun to provide a visible indication that the chamber is empty of live ammunition and act as a live round excluder. It is designed to be easily and quickly loaded and ejected from the firearm during normal operations. The SAF-T-ROUND may be instantly ejected and a live round chambered by simply cycling the firearm’s action, allowing the operator to instantly transition from a completely safe weapon to a “hot” weapon. The round prevents unintentional discharge of firearms and has a number of major applications, such as training, the transportation of weapons, security/guard duty, and weapon storage and maintenance. Only one hand is required with the SAF-T-ROUND and the device can be extracted and a live round chambered in a split second. The SAF-T-INDICATOR has the same body as the SAF-T-ROUND calibers. It works as an all-in-one visible load indicator and live-round excluder. The National Tactical Officers Association (NTOA) has adopted the SAF-T-ROUND for its training as a key safety element, especially during the duty weapons phase of tactical training. It allows realistic training to be conducted with real weapons without compromising safety. It eliminates the need to carry firearms with the action open. Many agencies use SAF-T-ROUNDS in the rifles and shotguns carried in squad cars. The weapons can be carried “cruiser ready” with a guaranteed empty chamber, yet ready for immediate use. Security personnel at many Department of Energy sites carry rifles in an attack sling with a SAF-T-ROUND in the chamber while on foot patrol inside the facility or at checkpoints. An accidental discharge of a firearm at a nuclear site could be disastrous. SAF-T-ROUNDs cost more than other load indicators/safety plugs, but the advantages are well worth the expense when compared to the cost of an accidental discharge.