Grand Rapids, MI
Safety is paramount. Whether you advocate for gun rights or gun control, we can all at least agree that a safety mindset is a critical part of responsible gun ownership. Simply put, with power comes responsibility…and gun owners must do their part. Along with adherence to the safety rules and regular training, gun owners must take the necessary steps to prevent negligent discharges and to prevent their firearms from getting into the wrong hands. This is a huge responsibility that comes with the right to bear arms.
How does the RedCat help?
Simple. Just drop it in…and the RedCat locks the hammer back and away from the sear rendering the rifle completely inert. When your AR is properly stored or locked, the RedCat acts as a secondary layer of protection against unauthorized or unintended use. As a retailer, this gives you ample time to protect yourself and your customers from a bad actor. As a homeowner this protects you and your family from a tragic accident.
For responsible gun owners, that’s a great feature to have…but if you’re not convinced yet, read on.
Many states are now considering and passing legislation to encourage the safe storage of firearms. There is no doubt many of these laws go far beyond safety and deprive law abiding citizens of their rights. Those laws will come and go. However, some laws do balance gun safety and gun rights and they might stick around for a while. One such law, crafted in the wake of the 2021 Oxford High School shooting in Michigan may just strike that balance. In February, a new law went into effect, Public Act 17 of 2023, requires gun owners to secure and/or lock their firearms where minors are present. This law also applies to individuals who leave a gun unattended at a property controlled by someone else. However, enforcement of the law only occurs if a minor gains access to an unsecured gun. Additionally, the law is not broken simply with the presence of an unsecured and unattended gun. Certain events must also take place that include the display and/or discharge of the firearm by the minor.
In Michigan, under certain circumstances, a firearm owner would be guilty of a misdemeanor if their firearm is accessed and displayed in public by a minor. There are more severe penalties if the firearm is discharged and even more if there is an injury. In these cases, the owner would be guilty of a felony and the penalties range from 5-15 years in prison depending on the severity of the incident. What makes this law arguably constitutional is that the law does not apply if the minor is simply in possession of the firearm, uses the firearm legally (hunting, target shooting under supervision, etc.), uses it in lawful self-defense or gains access to it through unlawful means. It’s not perfect, but there is a strong argument that this law won’t violate an individual’s constitutional rights and simply encourages responsible gun ownership. Law enforcement in the state appears to support this law. Of course, only time will tell if it withstands litigation in a courtroom…but for now, you can bet other states will follow in Michigan’s footsteps.
This law may be a good example of how both sides of the gun debate –with a mutual goal of stopping mass shootings, violent crimes and tragic accidents will find common ground.
Under this new environment, the RedCat can become a solid addition to any responsible gun owner’s safety plan:
- For the home, as a secondary layer of safety, install the RedCat to store your rifle inert.
- For a business, you can display the rifle inert, without any outward indication to prevent a bad actor from adding ammo and using the rifle for nefarious purposes.
That extra bit of security is worth the peace of mind when it comes to keeping your family and your business safe.
It is important to note that the RedCat is not a legal substitute for primary safety measures like storage in a locked container or locking the firearm with a locking device (as prescribed in Michigan Public Act 17, for example). However, the RedCat does add a secondary layer of protection and can help prevent unauthorized or unintended use and may save potential victims from injury.
While the RedCat’s primary role is training, its utility as a safety device is worth the price!
Written by Alex at M22 Tactical
