oFFicER SURVIVAL GETTINGHOMEINTHESAMECONDITIONYOUWENTTOWORkIN. bENDOUGLAS lock it up! R esponding to tragedies is a huge part of being in law enforcement, and our job is to handle the situation no matter how benign or catastrophic. At first we often ask “Why?” until cynicism sets in and we realize the why isn’t so important. “Why?” is eventually replaced by, “What was this guy thinking?” And unfortunately, this question even applies to us when the calamity involves kids who’ve gotten their hands on one of our guns. GunVault’sNanoVaultissmallenoughforyoutohavewhereveryourtravelstakeyou. We’vealldoneit—gonetothegymand thrownourgunintoourgymbag.Don’tdoit! our radio blares at you: “6-year-old shot, respond Code-3.” Acknowledging the call, you rush to the scene. It’s always so much worse when there’s a child involved. It’s human nature to immediately think of our own children — of their innocence, of what they mean to us and how we’d feel if they were taken from us. And that’s when the anger creeps in, but there’s no time for anger when you’re dealing with the call. While we do our best to provide basic life support, we try not to think about how this came to be. Moments later paramedics arrive and transport, and you enter investigation mode. It doesn’t take long to find the cause. When it comes to firearms and children, it’s rarely ever anything but negligence on the part of the gun owner. But what if this call involved the child of another officer? Is it any different? Aren’t we supposed to know better? TheOriginalPistolSafefromFortKnox isidealforkeepingyourgunand otherwork-relatedstuff awayfromsmallhands. Y StupidlY tRagic ALWAYS SECURE? HomE optionS C S arry your gun; you’re issued one for a reason. You’re also allowed to carry it pace requirements vary inside every off-duty for a whole slew of reasons. It’s home. You may have room and the there to keep you and your loved ones safe. budget to get a top-notch fireproof safe. It’s a tool to help stop the absolute worst-case Fort Knox produces some excellent and scenario, so carry your gun. beautiful safes, which can be configured Then there’s the other worst-case scenario; a to hold a whole arsenal. If you just need a child getting a hold of your gun. place for your issued service weapon, they There are always reasons to put your firearm also make some very affordable handgun aside for the moment. Most of us don’t sleep lockers. The Fort Knox Original Pistol with a gun under our pillow, so it’s safe to say Safe is small enough (4.5x12.5x10.75") your gun will be stored somewhere for the to fit in a clothes drawer or on top of your dresser. night. Maybe you take it off when you get home It’s a heavy little beast (22 pounds) constructed of from work or leave it in your gym bag while you 10-gauge steel with a 5-button combo lock, proworkout. The question is what are you doing to viding quick access to your weapon. keep your weapon from getting into the hands of If you’re looking for something a little bit a child, or anyone else for that matter? Your kids lighter GunVault offers both their MiniVault and aren’t dummies. They know you have a gun and NanoVault. The MiniVault is available in three there isn’t enough training in the world to keep models, each with the same dimensions and weight them from being curious about it. Mortality and (5.25x8.25.12" exterior, 3x7x11" interior and 9 pounds) with a variety consequence are two huge concepts that rarely of features for you to choose. These gun vaults function on a biometric enter into the mind of a child. If your gun isn’t system, so unless you’re silly enough to use your kids’ fingerprints, attached to your hip, it should be locked up. theirs no way they could accidently find their way into the box. WWW.AMERICANCOPMAGAZINE.COM • MARCH2014 20
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