Firearm safety system and fire control

摘要

A light-energy initiated firing system for a firearm (10) in which optical light-conducting fibers (52) extend from a source of high frequency energy (50) to adjacent a cartridge (24) so that energy passing through the fibers (52) will pass into the cartridge (24) and initiate a propellant (40) therein. The firearm cartridge may include an ignition composition (38) (e.g., a primer) positioned forward of at least part of the propellant (40) and be constructed so that high frequency (e.g., laser) energy (50) will pass into the cartridge (24) and initiate the forward-positioned propellant (40). The system includes safety systems (60) for interrupting the energy path to prevent primer (38) initiation when the action of the firearm is not in battery or when such initiation otherwise is undesired.