The Firing Line Forums - View Single Post - astra a-75 9mm

James K · May 30, 1999, 07:47 PM

This has been discussed before many times.

Do NOT deactivate any safety device on a firearm. If you have to use the gun in self defense a prosecutor or a victim's attorney will claim that you deliberately deactivated a safety in order to kill more efficiently. It could mean the difference between getting off and being convicted of first degree murder. (That's right; it has happened.)

Further, you will be liable if anyone else gets (even steals) your gun and is injured. Whether the specific safety that was deactivated was involved will be irrelevant; you acted in a reckless manner with total disregard for human life, etc., etc.

If you die and your heirs sell the gun without the safety, they will be liable the same way even though they may know nothing about guns.

Repeat - do not deactivate any safety on any gun for any reason. Live with it or buy a gun that does not have a mag safety. Then the liability is on the maker, not you.

(Comparisons are never exact, but how would you feel if a member of your family were run down by a driver who had deactivated his car's brakes to make it go faster?)

Jim

A lighter note - I like the A-75 very much and consider it an excellent carry gun.

JK

[This message has been edited by Jim Keenan (edited May 30, 1999).]

May 30, 1999, 07:47 PM	#3
James K Member In Memoriam Join Date: March 17, 1999 Posts: 24,383	This has been discussed before many times. Do NOT deactivate any safety device on a firearm. If you have to use the gun in self defense a prosecutor or a victim's attorney will claim that you deliberately deactivated a safety in order to kill more efficiently. It could mean the difference between getting off and being convicted of first degree murder. (That's right; it has happened.) Further, you will be liable if anyone else gets (even steals) your gun and is injured. Whether the specific safety that was deactivated was involved will be irrelevant; you acted in a reckless manner with total disregard for human life, etc., etc. If you die and your heirs sell the gun without the safety, they will be liable the same way even though they may know nothing about guns. Repeat - do not deactivate any safety on any gun for any reason. Live with it or buy a gun that does not have a mag safety. Then the liability is on the maker, not you. (Comparisons are never exact, but how would you feel if a member of your family were run down by a driver who had deactivated his car's brakes to make it go faster?) Jim A lighter note - I like the A-75 very much and consider it an excellent carry gun. JK [This message has been edited by Jim Keenan (edited May 30, 1999).]