Abstract: An light-energy initiated firing system for a firearm in which optical light-conducting fibers extend from a source of high frequency energy to adjacent a cartridge so that energy passes through the fibers will pass into the cartridge and initiate a propellant therein. The firearm cartridge may include a ignition composition (e.g., a primer) position forward of at least part of the propellant and be constructed so that high frequency (e.g., laser) energy will pass into the cartridge and initiate the forward-positioned propellant. The system includes safety systems for interrupting the energy path to prevent primer initiation when the action of the firearm is not in battery or when such initiation otherwise is undesired.