A Handgun Accord That Puts Safety First

President Clinton deserves credit for brokering last week’s agreement among the majority of the nation’s handgun makers to equip their products with child safety locks. But you’ve also got to hand it to three local companies that produce three-quarters of America’s small-caliber handguns, for so far ignoring even this modest, voluntary pact. Their behavior is remarkable--sadly.

Lorcin Engineering of Mira Loma, Bryco Arms of Costa Mesa and Phoenix Arms of Ontario specialize in the lowest of low-end handguns, the so-called Saturday night specials. These are guns often used in stickups, carjackings and gang killings, relatively cheap and easily concealable.

Gov. Pete Wilson gave these gun makers a break last month when he vetoed a bill that would have required that all handguns manufactured in California include certain safety features. The governor trotted out the argument that the measure would have made cheap handguns unaffordable to poor people seeking to defend themselves.

Society properly insists that products of every description--from toy guns to automobiles--conform to safety and quality standards. Yes, that often puts them beyond the reach of poor people, but it assures safety across the board.

Gun makers remain largely unregulated because Congress has repeatedly shrunk from this course in the face of pressure from the gun lobby. Clinton’s voluntary agreement last week represents a different approach. Eight major gun makers, who produce 80% of all American-made handguns, have now promised to equip their weapons with child safety locks by the end of next year. The locks fit over the trigger guard or the hammer to prevent the gun from discharging and usually require a key or combination to remove.

According to federal estimates, more than one-third of the nation’s 22 million privately owned handguns remain loaded and unlocked. These weapons cause 1,500 serious injuries and 500 child deaths every year. Even gun owners insistent on an absolutist interpretation of the 2nd Amendment should be pained by the tragedy that results from such carelessness.

Sen. Barbara Boxer (D-Calif.) has asked local handgun producers to sign onto Clinton’s agreement. Bryco has made no comment yet, Lorcin is reportedly going to comply eventually and Phoenix is said to be “thinking about it.”

What in the world is there to think about?