Abstract: Firearms are used for self defense and sport. Self defense requires immediate access to a loaded firearm. A safety cartridge is designed to prevent an unauthorized person from firing a loaded pistol, revolver, rifle, or shotgun. The safety cartridge is placed in the firing chamber of a loaded firearm containing live ammunition. The firearm owner may quickly use his weapon for self defense or in a police action by ejecting the safety cartridge or by rotating the cylinder. An attempt to fire the loaded firearm by an unauthorized person initiates the safety cartridge causing the resulting primer gases to propel the slug down the gun barrel until it is stopped by action of the spring which is attached to both the cartridge case and the slug causing it to jam preventing injury to the firearm owner or children. Removing the fired safety cartridge requires skill.

Abstract: Firearms are used for self defense as well as for sport (target practice or hunting). A responsible target shooter or hunter keeps his firearms unloaded in a locked cabinet with ammunition stored separately in a second locked cabinet. Self defense, however, requires immediate access which implies a loaded firearm. A safety cartridge for loaded firearms to be used for self defense is disclosed. The safety cartridge is designed to prevent an unauthorized person from firing a loaded pistol, revolver, rifle, or shotgun. The safety cartridge is placed in the firing chamber of a loaded firearm containing live ammunition in the magazine (or cylinder of a revolver). The owner of the loaded firearm may quickly use his weapon for self defense or in a police action to stop a crime by ejecting the safety cartridge from the chamber of a pistol, rifle, or shotgun . . . or by rotating the multi-chambered cylinder of a revolver so that the safety cartridge is out-of-line with the firing pin and barrel.