TRIGGER SAFETY ASSEMBLY

Abstract

A safety assembly for a firearm and method for using the same. A safety assembly includes at least one control extending to the exterior of the firearm; a bias element operatively associated with the control, the bias element biasing the control in a first position; and an unlocking mechanism, the unlocking mechanism being connected to the control and interlinked with a trigger to unlock the trigger when the control is in a second position. A method for using a safety assembly includes placing at least one hand on a forestock of a firearm; placing at least one digit on the trigger; using the hand to depress a button extending to the forestock to unlock the trigger, the button being operatively associated with the trigger and being connected to at least one bias element that biases the button in a locked position; and while the button is depressed, squeezing the trigger.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates generally to the field of firearms and more specifically to safety mechanisms associated with firearm triggers.

BACKGROUND

Conventional firearms are equipped with safety detents to prevent the firearm from being fired accidentally. The safety detent is generally a lever that must be moved from the “safe” position to the “fire” position before the trigger can be depressed to fire the weapon. However, safety detents may not provide the best safety protection in the case of either weapons that require use of both hands, or combination weapons, such as a secondary weapon mounted under a primary weapon.

In the case of a secondary weapon (e.g., a shotgun) mounted underneath a primary weapon (e.g., a rifle), the resulting conventional combination firearm has two barrels of different lengths. The barrel of the secondary weapon extends further forward than the barrel of the primary weapon mounted on top. When using the combination weapon as a battering ram (i.e., to break down a door in law enforcement), the user runs the risk of inadvertently placing his hand over the barrel of the secondary weapon. With a conventional safety detent left in the “fire” position, this can pose a risk of injury due to inadvertent firing.

In addition, in a conventional combination firearm, both hands are generally used to fire and support the weapon. The normal trigger finger is positioned on the trigger of the primary weapon (e.g., rifle) toward the rear of the combination firearm. The other hand is used in a forward position to support the combination firearm. However, in a conventional combination firearm, the safety mechanisms and the triggers for both weapons are located near the rear of the stationary receiver which is generally connected to the rifle stock. With the safety mechanism and the trigger for the secondary weapon in this location, the user would likely have to move his forward support hand to the rear of the combination weapon in order to disengage the safety and fire the weapon. Moving the support hand can compromise stability of the weapon, delay firing and create potential hazards when the hands are moved or repositioned on the combination weapon.

As a result of these inefficiencies and safety risks, there developed a need for a firearm trigger safety assembly that would permit the safety mechanism for the secondary weapon to be disengaged and the weapon to be fired without requiring the user to move either one of his hands.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF INVENTION

In one embodiment of the invention, a safety assembly for a firearm comprises at least one control member extending to the exterior of the firearm; a bias element operatively associated with the control member, the bias element biasing the control member in a first position; and an unlocking mechanism, the unlocking mechanism being connected to the control and interlinked with a trigger to unlock the trigger when the control member is in a second position.

In other embodiments, the control member may comprise a button and the bias element may comprise a spring.

In still other embodiments, the unlocking mechanism may comprise an aperture in a trigger rod, the trigger rod being connected to the trigger. This embodiment may further comprise a cross-bar disposed between the control member and the unlocking mechanism, the cross-bar being shaped to allow the cross-bar to pass through the aperture for movement of the trigger rod when the control member is in the second position.

In another embodiment, the aperture may comprise a slot and the cross-bar may comprise at least one notch, the notch being disposed to slide into the slot when the control member is in the second position, thereby allowing the trigger rod to move.

In yet another embodiment, the bias element may comprise a spring ring. This embodiment may also comprise a first groove in the forestock, the first groove being disposed to receive the spring ring and hold it in the first locked position, and a second groove in the forestock, the second groove being disposed to receive the spring ring and hold it in the second unlocked position.

In an embodiment for a combination weapon, the safety assembly of the present invention may comprise a detent extending to the exterior of a receiver of a primary weapon, the detent being operatively associated with a trigger on the primary weapon to lock and unlock the trigger on the primary weapon; a control member extending to the exterior of a forestock of a secondary weapon, the secondary weapon being mounted underneath the primary weapon, the control member being moveable between a first position and a second position; a bias element operatively associated with the control member, the bias element biasing the control member in a first position; an unlocking mechanism connected to the control member, the unlocking mechanism being interlinked with a trigger on the secondary weapon to unlock the trigger on the secondary weapon when the control member is in a second position; and a locking mechanism connected to the control member, the locking mechanism being interlinked with the trigger of the secondary weapon to lock the trigger of the secondary weapon when the control member is at rest in the first position and to relock the trigger of the secondary weapon when the control is reset to the first position from the second position.

An embodiment of a method for locking and unlocking a trigger on a combination weapon according to the present invention comprises placing a support hand on the forestock of a secondary weapon, the secondary weapon being mounted underneath a primary weapon; moving a safety detent on the primary weapon to an unlocked position; placing a firing hand on a trigger of the primary weapon; using the support hand to operate a control member on the forestock of the secondary weapon to unlock a trigger of the secondary weapon, the control member being operatively associated with the trigger of the secondary weapon; and using the support hand to operate the trigger of the secondary weapon while the control member keeps the trigger unlocked.

In another embodiment of the method, the control may comprise a button that the user depresses to unlock the trigger. The method may further comprise releasing the button and releasing the trigger, causing the button to relock the trigger of the secondary weapon.

In yet another embodiment of according to the present invention, a method for locking and unlocking a trigger on a combination weapon may comprise placing a support hand on a forestock of a secondary weapon, the secondary weapon being mounted underneath a primary weapon; moving a safety detent on the primary weapon to an unlocked position; placing a firing hand on a trigger of the primary weapon; using the support hand to depress a button on the forestock of the secondary weapon to unlock a trigger of the secondary weapon, the button being connected to at least one bias element and operatively associated with the trigger of the secondary weapon so that the button is retained in a depressed position; and using the support hand to operate the trigger of the secondary weapon.

Another embodiment of a method may further comprise operating the trigger of the primary weapon after the safety detent has been moved to the unlocked position.

Another embodiment of a method for locking and unlocking a trigger of a firearm may comprise placing at least one hand on a forestock of a firearm; placing at least one digit on the trigger; using the hand to depress a button extending to the forestock to unlock the trigger, the button being operatively associated with the trigger and being connected to at least one bias element that biases the button in at least a locked position; and while the button is depressed, squeezing the trigger.

Still another embodiment of a method herein may further comprise releasing the trigger, thereby causing the button to be reset in the locked position.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

Illustrative and presently preferred exemplary embodiments of the present invention are illustrated in the drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 illustrates an embodiment of a safety assembly for a moving barrel firearm in a closed position;

FIG. 2 illustrates an embodiment of a safety assembly for a moving barrel firearm in an open position;

FIG. 3 provides an exploded view of an embodiment of a firearm, including a safety assembly, such as that shown in FIGS. 1 and 2;

FIG. 4 is view from the underside and front of an embodiment of a moving barrel firearm, including a safety assembly and trigger mechanism;

FIG. 5 illustrates an embodiment of a safety assembly and trigger mechanism of a firearm as engaged by a user's support hand;

FIG. 6 illustrates an embodiment of a safety assembly and trigger mechanism of a firearm as engaged by a user's support hand;

FIG. 7 illustrates an embodiment of a combination weapon, including a safety assembly and trigger mechanism

FIG. 8 illustrates an embodiment of a stand-alone long gun, including a safety assembly and trigger mechanism;

FIG. 9 illustrates an embodiment of a combination weapon, including safety assemblies and triggers for the primary and secondary weapons, and an embodiment for using the same;

FIG. 10 shows a view from the underside and front of a user's support hand operating an embodiment of a firearm trigger and a safety assembly simultaneously;

FIG. 11 shows a user's hand in relation to an embodiment of a safety assembly, action release and trigger mechanism of a firearm;

FIG. 12 illustrates an enlarged exploded view of an embodiment of a safety assembly and trigger mechanism as illustrated, for example, in FIGS. 5-6, 9-11 and 13;

FIG. 13 provides a cross-section view of an embodiment of a trigger assembly, including a trigger rod equipped with a key-hole shaped aperture;

FIG. 14, which includes sub-part FIGS. 14A-14E, provides a set of elevational views, the latter four of which are partly in cross-section, of portions of a trigger mechanism and a safety assembly, as could be taken along lines 14B/D-13B/D of FIG. 13, and respective lines B-B; C-C, D-D and E-E of corresponding sub-parts 14C, 14B, 14E and 14D; and

FIG. 15, which includes sub-part FIGS. 15A and 15B, provides a set of partially cut-away views of an embodiment of a safety assembly in respective locked and unlocked positions.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The present invention is directed to a novel safety assembly 42 for a firearm 10 used as a single weapon and for a combination weapon 200 comprising a secondary weapon 203 (e.g., a shotgun) integrated with a primary weapon 201 (e.g., a rifle). The embodiments of firearm 10, long gun 202 and combination weapon 200 described herein may require the use of both hands for operation. Broadly described, the embodiments of the safety assembly 42 described herein comprise a control 43 extending to the exterior of forearm or forestock 17, a bias element 46 that biases the control 43 in a “safe” or locked position and, an unlocking mechanism that is connected to the control 43 and interlinked with a trigger mechanism 32 of the firearm 10 to unlock the trigger mechanism 32 when control 43 is moved to a “fire” or unlocked position. As used herein, control 43 may comprise any type of control capable of being linked to unlocking mechanism, including but not limited to a button, a lever, a detent, a toggle, or a knob. The bias element 46 may comprise any type of bias element capable of biasing the control 43 in at least one position, including but not limited to a spring, a coil, a spring ring, or any other elastic device that will regain its original position after removal of stress, compression or the like. As used herein, the term “forward” means in a position toward barrel 16 or muzzle 16e of the firearm 10, combination weapon 200 or long gun 202. “Rear” as used herein means in a position toward receiver 18 or magazine 20 of the firearm 10, or toward receiver 18 or buttstock 25 of combination weapon 200 or long gun 202.

With reference to the Figures, FIG. 1 shows one embodiment of the firearm 10, with pump action 21 in a closed position. Action release 54 is for unlocking the pump action 21. Once unlocked, the pump action 21 may be operated by moving the forestock 17, mounted below barrel 16 and forward of receiver 18 which is mounted above magazine 20. FIG. 2 shows the firearm 10 with the pump action 21 in an open position. Control 43 is shown extending through the forestock 17.

FIG. 3 shows an exploded view of the firearm 10. Trigger mechanism 32 may comprise trigger button 34 and trigger actuating rod 36. In addition, trigger mechanism 32 may comprise trigger guide member 37, spring follower 38, and trigger spring 39. Trigger actuating rod 36 is connected on the forward end to trigger button 34. Near its rear end, trigger actuating rod 36 is connected to sear 62. The trigger actuating rod 36 may comprise one or more pieces. The connection to sear 62 may actually be part of trigger actuating rod 36, or may be connected to it. Actuating rod or cross-bar 44 may be orthogonally disposed to trigger actuating rod 36. Cross-bar 44 may be connected to at least one control 43 which extends through the forestock 17. The trigger mechanism 32 may fit within trigger tube 33 in a manner similar to a piston.

As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, trigger tube 33 and forestock 17 are equipped with recess 41, located substantially on their underside. Recess 41 is disposed to accommodate trigger button 34 as well as the user's finger(s). As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, when the user is ready to fire firearm 10, the user places a finger in recess 41 on trigger button 34. When trigger button 34 is depressed, trigger mechanism 32 is pulled back from the at-rest position to activate sear assembly 60 (which includes sear 62), actuating hammer 71, striking lever 78 and other parts of the firing assembly which causes firearm 10 to fire (when loaded). By virtue of locating trigger button 34 on the underside of firearm 10, the user may depress trigger button 34 to operate trigger mechanism 32 using either hand. That is, the user may use any finger of the firing hand or any finger of the support hand to depress trigger button 34, as shown in FIG. 5. When the support hand is used to depress the trigger button 34, it may do so while remaining in a support position on the forestock 17, as shown in FIGS. 5 and 6.

One embodiment of the present invention for safety assembly 42 for firearm 10 is shown in FIGS. 3-5. Safety assembly 42 may be placed in a forward position on forestock 17 near recess 41 in the vicinity where the user would customarily place the support hand. With safety assembly 42 in this position, control 43 is exposed on the exterior of either side, or preferably, both sides of forestock 17 for ambidextrous operation. Preferably, control 43 may be disposed above and slightly behind the face of trigger button 34 as shown. As shown, trigger button 34 (and trigger mechanism 32) are placed in a more forward position than they would be on a conventional weapon. Such a location is preferable because it allows the user to operate control 43 and depress trigger button 34 with the support hand without moving the support hand from the support position as shown in FIGS. 5 and 6.

The safety assembly 42 as illustrated in FIGS. 1-5 may be operated according to an embodiment of a method of the invention. The user would place a support hand on the forestock 17 of firearm 10 and place a digit on trigger button 34. The user would use another digit to operate control 43 (that extends to the exterior of forestock 17) by in this case depressing the control 43 (e.g., button). While control 43 was depressed, the user would then squeeze trigger button 34 to fire firearm 10 (assuming that firearm 10 was loaded). Thereafter, the user could keep firing if he continued to seamlessly squeeze trigger button 34 or if he continued to depress control 43 as he squeezed trigger button 34. The user would reset control 43 to relock trigger mechanism 32 by releasing the trigger button 34 (without continuing to depress control 43).

An exemplary embodiment showing the location of safety assembly 42 on combination weapon 200 is illustrated in FIGS. 7 and 9. In this embodiment for combination weapon 200, safety assembly 42 may be placed in a forward position on forestock 17 near recess 41 in the vicinity where the user would place the support hand on secondary weapon 203. With safety assembly 42 in this position, control 43 is exposed on the exterior of either side, or preferably, both sides of forestock 17 for ambidextrous operation. Preferably, control 43 may be disposed above and slightly behind the face of trigger button 34 as shown. With respect to secondary weapon 203 (with pump action 21), action release 54 may be located in the same general area as control 43. As shown, trigger button 34 (and trigger mechanism 32) are placed forward of breech 16a on secondary weapon 203, instead of to the rear of the breach 16a as would be the case for conventional long guns, such as shotguns and rifles. A trigger 206 for primary weapon 201 may be locked and unlocked using a conventional safety detent 204 as shown on FIG. 7. FIG. 8 shows the location of safety assembly 42 (and control 43), action release 54, trigger button 34 and recess 41 for an embodiment in an embodiment where long gun 202, (e.g., pump action 21 shotgun) is used as a stand-alone weapon. A method for operating the safety assembly 42 of long gun 202 may be about the same as that set forth above with respect to firearm 10.

FIGS. 9 and 10 illustrate how the user may operate control 43 and trigger button 34 at the same time using one hand, preferably the support hand. FIG. 9 shows preferable locations for the user's hands when using combination weapon 200. The user's firing hand is placed on trigger 206 of the primary weapon. The user's support hand may be placed in the vicinity of trigger button 34, as well as control 43. For firearm 10, long gun 202 and secondary weapon 203 (of combination weapon 200), FIG. 10 illustrates how the thumb of the user's support hand can be used to operate control 43, while depressing trigger button 34 located in recess 41.

An embodiment for operating combination weapon 200 (as illustrated in FIGS. 7, 9, and 10) may comprise having the user place a support hand on the forestock 17 of secondary weapon 203. With the other (non-supporting) hand, the user would move detent 204 on primary weapon 201 to an unlocked position and place the non-supporting hand on the trigger 206 (without squeezing it) of primary weapon 201. The user may depress control 43 on the forestock 17 of secondary weapon 203 to unlock trigger mechanism 32 of secondary weapon 203. While continuing to depress control 43, the user may then depress trigger button 34 to fire the secondary weapon. By releasing control 43 and/or trigger button 34, the user may reset safety assembly 42 to the locked position. At any time after moving detent 204 to the unlocked position and positioning the hands, the user may also squeeze trigger 206 to fire the primary weapon.

Thus, the embodiments of safety assembly 42 according to the present invention allow the user to fire any of long gun 202, firearm 10, or secondary weapon 203 or primary weapon 201 of combination weapon 200 without having to reposition either of his hands to do so. In the case of combination weapon 200, the user may use both hands to simultaneously fire primary weapon 201 and secondary weapon 203 without having to reposition either hand.

FIG. 11 shows a preferred location of control 43, trigger button 34 and action release 54 on firearm 10, long gun 202 and secondary weapon 203. FIG. 11 illustrates the manner in which the user may operate action release 54, control 43 and trigger button 34 with one hand without having to reposition that hand.

FIG. 12 generally shows an exploded view of safety assembly 42 comprising cross-bar 44, bias element 46 (e.g., a spring), control 43 (e.g., a button) and the manner in which these elements are connected. Preferably, as illustrated, cross-bar 44 will be operatively associated with bias element 46 and control 43 at both of the cross-bar 44 ends. Cross-bar 44 may comprise one or more pieces. In the embodiment shown, cross-bar 44 comprises two notches 45b, 45c and one barrier 45a along its length and between controls 43. However, the number of notches 45b, 45c and barriers 45a for any given embodiment of the invention may depend on the configuration of control 43 and cross-bar 44, as well as the overall design of the unlocking and locking mechanisms. For example, if the embodiment depicted in FIG. 12 had a single control 43, then one notch 45b and one barrier 45a may be sufficient.

In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 12-14A-E, trigger actuating rod 36 comprises a slot 47 (for unlocking trigger mechanism 32) and an opening 48 (for locking trigger mechanism 32). In the embodiment shown, slot 47 and opening 48 are adjacent to one another forming a key-hole shaped aperture in trigger rod 36. In the embodiment shown, slot 47 is disposed in both size and location to accept notch 45b, 45c, but not barrier 45a, when either control 43 is depressed. Opening 48 is disposed in both size and location to accept barrier 45a when control 43 is biased by bias element 46 into its resting (e.g., locked) position. Trigger actuating rod 36 may have a flattened portion or surface 46a surrounding opening 48 and slot 47 to provide a support surface for bias element 46 to prevent it from fouling. As shown in the illustrated embodiment, bias element 46 may be a spring.

For the embodiment shown, FIGS. 12-14A-E illustrate the relationship between the elements comprising safety assembly 42. FIGS. 14A, 14B and 14D shows how the bias element 46 may be operatively associated with control 43 and cross-bar 44, with reference to notch 45b, 45c and barrier 45a. FIGS. 14B and 14C show how cross-bar 44 may be disposed when control 43 is biased in a resting or locked position. Cross-bar 44 passes through the opening 48 of trigger actuating rod 36. While barrier 45a can slide through opening 48, which is of a sufficient size and shape to accept it, barrier 45a is too large to be accepted by slot 47. Thus, when barrier 45a is aligned with opening 48, it locks trigger actuating rod 36 and prevents operation of the trigger mechanism 32.

As shown in FIGS. 14D and 14E, operating either control 43 (by pressing a button in the embodiment shown) moves the affected cross-bar 44 notch 45b, 45c to line up with and slide into slot 47. The effect of this alignment is to unlock trigger actuating rod 36, allowing it to move. Thus, when trigger button 34 is depressed, the trigger mechanism 32 can be engaged, causing firearm 10, long gun 202 or secondary weapon 203 to fire.

As shown in FIGS. 12-14A-14E, cross-bar 44 is biased about trigger actuating rod 36 by a plurality of bias elements 46 (e.g., springs) generally between barrier 45a and control 43. The plurality of bias elements 46 bias the cross-bar 44 in the resting (locked) position wherein the barrier 45a is aligned with opening 48. In order to unlock trigger actuating rod 36 and trigger mechanism 32, the user would have to depress and hold down either one of the controls 43 so that notch 45b, 45c moves into slot 47, thereby unlocking trigger actuating rod 36 so firearm 10, long gun 202 or secondary weapon 203 can be fired.

An advantage of the embodiment of safety assembly 42 as previously discussed is that it allows the user to operate the control 43 without having to move his hand (preferably, the support hand). Thus, by moving any digit, the user can depress and hold control 43 and then press trigger button 34 at the same time, as illustrated in FIG. 10. Other advantages may be that control 43 cannot accidentally be moved from the locked to the unlocked position and that trigger mechanism 32 cannot be fired inadvertently. An example of a situation where this aspect of the invention may be beneficial is when using combination weapon 200 as a battering ram for law enforcement purposes. In addition, when discharging combination weapon 200, since the user's hands would be occupied in the support position on the secondary weapon 203 and the firing position on the primary weapon 201, the user's hands would not end up near the muzzle 16e.

Nonetheless, as would be apparent to those of skill in the art after becoming familiar with the embodiments of this invention, other mechanisms may be employed to permit the safety assembly 42 to remain unlocked after control 43 was only depressed one time (i.e., depress once and it stays depressed). Such a mechanism could also be coupled with a reset mechanism such that control 43 would stay depressed and the trigger mechanism 32 would remain unlocked until control 43 were subsequently depressed in the manner of a reset button.

An embodiment of a safety assembly 401 for temporarily locking or unlocking the trigger mechanism 32 is shown in FIGS. 15A and 15B. Safety assembly 401 can be adapted for use in connection with firearm 10, long gun 202 or secondary weapon 203 of combination weapon 200, or with any other weapon as would be familiar to one of skill in the art. In this embodiment, once the user moves control 43 from the first position (locked) to the second position (unlocked), the trigger mechanism 32 remains unlocked so that the user does not have to operate the control 43 every time he wants to fire the weapon 10, 202, 203. In the embodiment shown, spring ring 402, which serves as a bias element, may be installed on either or both controls 43. As shown, spring ring 402 is constructed so that it will compress to fit within a depression 403 in the control 43 itself, but will also, in the absence of compression, expand to be wider than control 43. Being so constructed, spring ring 402 may expand to be received by first groove 404 in forestock 17 to maintain safety assembly 401 in a locked position such that barrier 45a prevents trigger actuating rod 36 from moving as shown in FIG. 15A. When control 43 is depressed, spring ring 402 may be received by second groove 405, thereby maintaining safety assembly 401 in an unlocked position, allowing notch 45c to slide into slot 47, thereby permitting the movement of trigger actuating rod 36. Thus, spring ring 402 can hold cross-bar 44 in the unlocked position, for example, without requiring continued depression of control 43. Depression 403 may be formed by machining such a depression into control 43 itself. Spring ring 402 may then be installed in depression 403. Similarly, grooves 404, 405 may be machined in the forestock 17. Other mechanisms may also be used as would become familiar to one of skill in the art after becoming familiar with the embodiments of the present invention described herein.

A method for using the safety assembly 401 illustrated in FIGS. 15A and 15B may comprise having the user place a support hand on forestock 17. The user would then depress control 43 to unlock trigger mechanism 32. The action of spring ring 402 operatively associated with control 43 would cause trigger mechanism 32 to remain in the unlocked position. The user could then squeeze trigger button 34 repeatedly or even intermittently without having to press control 43 again. To reset the safety assembly 401 and relock the trigger mechanism 32, the user would depress control 43 again.

The foregoing description has been presented to illustrate and describe various embodiments of the present invention, including preferred embodiments. Therefore, it is not intended to limit the invention in any way to the precise forms and methods disclosed. Having herein set forth preferred embodiments of the present invention, it is anticipated that suitable modifications can be made thereto which will nonetheless remain within the scope of the invention. The invention shall therefore be construed in accordance with the following claims:

Claims

1. A safety assembly for a firearm, comprising: at least one control member extending to the exterior of the firearm, said control member being moveable between a first position and a second position; a bias element operatively associated with the control member, the bias element biasing the control member in the first position; and an unlocking mechanism, the unlocking mechanism being connected to the control member and interlinked with a trigger to unlock the trigger when the control member is in the second position.

2. The safety assembly of claim 1 wherein the control member further comprises a button.

3. The safety assembly of claim 1 wherein the bias element further comprises a spring.

4. The safety assembly of claim 1 wherein the first position comprises a locked position and the second position comprises an unlocked position.

5. The safety assembly of claim 1 wherein the exterior of the firearm further comprises a forestock.

6. The safety assembly of claim 1, wherein the unlocking mechanism further comprises an aperture in a trigger rod, the trigger rod being connected to the trigger, and further comprising: a cross-bar disposed between the control member and the unlocking mechanism, the cross-bar being shaped to allow the cross-bar to pass through the aperture for movement of the trigger rod when the control member is in the second position.

7. The safety assembly of claim 6, wherein the aperture further comprises a slot and the cross-bar further comprises at least one notch, the notch being disposed to slide into the slot when the control member is in the second position.

8. The safety assembly of claim 6, wherein the at least one control member, comprises a first control member and a second control member, the first and second control members being connected to the cross-bar at a separate cross-bar end and extending to each side of the forestock.

9. A safety assembly for a firearm, comprising: at least one control member extending to the exterior of the firearm; at least one bias element operatively associated with the control member, the bias element biasing the control member in at least a first position and a second position; an unlocking mechanism, the unlocking mechanism being connected to the control member and interlinked with a trigger to unlock the trigger when the control member is in the second position; and a locking mechanism, the locking mechanism being connected to the control member and interlinked with a trigger to lock the trigger when the control member is at rest in the first position and to relock the trigger when the control member is reset to the first position from the second position.

10. The safety assembly of claim 9 wherein the control member further comprises a button.

11. The safety assembly of claim 9 wherein the bias element comprises a spring ring.

12. The safety assembly of claim 9 wherein the unlocking mechanism further comprises a slot and the locking mechanism further comprises an opening connected to the slot, the slot and the opening being in a trigger rod, the trigger rod being connected to the trigger, and further comprising: a cross-bar having at least one notch, the cross-bar being disposed to remain in the opening when the control member is in the first position, and the notch being disposed to slide into the slot when the control member is in the second position.

13. The safety assembly of claim 9 wherein the exterior of the firearm further comprises a forestock.

14. The safety assembly of claim 13 wherein the bias element further comprises a spring ring, and further comprising: a first groove in the forestock, the first groove being disposed to receive the spring ring and hold it in the first position; and a second groove in the forestock, the second groove being disposed to receive the spring ring and hold it in the second position.

15. A safety assembly for a combination weapon, comprising: a safety detent extending to the exterior of a receiver of a primary weapon, the safety detent being operatively associated with a trigger on the primary weapon to lock and unlock the trigger on the primary weapon; a control member extending to the exterior of a forestock of a secondary weapon, the secondary weapon being mounted underneath the primary weapon, the control member being moveable between a first position and a second position; a bias element operatively associated with the control member, the bias element biasing the control member in the first position; and an unlocking mechanism connected to the control member, the unlocking mechanism being interlinked with a trigger on the secondary weapon to unlock the trigger on the secondary weapon when the control member is in the second position.

16. The safety assembly of claim 15 wherein the unlocking mechanism further comprises an aperture in a trigger rod, the trigger rod being connected to the trigger, and further comprising: a cross-bar disposed between the control member and the unlocking mechanism, the cross-bar being shaped to allow the cross-bar to pass through the aperture for movement of the trigger rod when the control member is in the second position.

17. A safety assembly for a combination weapon, comprising: a safety detent extending to the exterior of a receiver of a primary weapon, the safety detent being operatively associated with a trigger on the primary weapon to lock and unlock the trigger on the primary weapon; a control member extending to the exterior of a forestock of a secondary weapon, the secondary weapon being mounted underneath the primary weapon, the control member being moveable between a first position and a second position; at least one bias element operatively associated with the control member, the bias element biasing the control member in at least the first position and the second position; an unlocking mechanism connected to the control member, the unlocking mechanism being interlinked with a trigger of the secondary weapon to unlock the trigger of the secondary weapon when the control member is in the second position; and a locking mechanism connected to the control member, the locking mechanism being interlinked with the trigger of the secondary weapon to lock the trigger of the secondary weapon when the control member is at rest in the first position and to relock the trigger of the secondary weapon when the control is reset to the first position from the second position.

18. The safety assembly of claim 17 wherein the bias element comprises a spring ring.

19. A method for locking and unlocking a trigger on a combination weapon, comprising: placing a support hand on the forestock of a secondary weapon, the secondary weapon being mounted underneath a primary weapon; moving a safety detent on the primary weapon to an unlocked position; placing a firing hand on a trigger of the primary weapon; using the support hand to operate a control member on the forestock of the secondary weapon to unlock a trigger of the secondary weapon, the control member being operatively associated with the trigger of the secondary weapon; and using the support hand to operate the trigger of the secondary weapon while the control member keeps the trigger unlocked.

20. The method of claim 19 wherein the control comprises a button and wherein using the support hand to operate the control member further comprises depressing the button.

21. The method of claim 20 further comprising: releasing the button; and releasing the trigger of the secondary weapon, causing the button to relock the trigger of the secondary weapon.

22. The method of claim 19 further comprising: operating the trigger of the primary weapon after the safety detent has been moved to the unlocked position.

23. A method for locking and unlocking a trigger on a combination weapon, comprising: placing a support hand on a forestock of a secondary weapon, the secondary weapon being mounted underneath a primary weapon; moving a safety detent on the primary weapon to an unlocked position; placing a firing hand on a trigger of the primary weapon; using the support hand to depress a button on the forestock of the secondary weapon to unlock a trigger of the secondary weapon, the button being connected to at least one bias element and operatively associated with the trigger of the secondary weapon so that the button is retained in a depressed position; and using the support hand to operate the trigger of the secondary weapon.

24. The method of claim 23 further comprising: depressing the button again, causing the button to be reset the button in a locked position, thereby locking the trigger of the secondary weapon.

25. The method of claim 23 further comprising: operating the trigger of the primary weapon after the safety detent has been moved to the unlocked position.

25. A method for locking and unlocking a trigger, comprising: placing at least one hand on a forestock of a firearm; placing at least one digit on the trigger; using the hand to depress a button extending to the forestock a first time to unlock the trigger, the button being operatively associated with the trigger and being connected to at least one bias element that biases the button in at least a locked position; and while the button is depressed, squeezing the trigger.

26. The method of claim 25 further comprising: releasing the trigger, thereby causing the button to be reset in the locked position.

27. The method of claim 25 further comprising: pressing the button a second time to reset the button to the locked position.