Patent Publication Number: US-11047637-B2

Title: Intrinsically safe firearm

Description:
This application is a continuation of and claims priority to U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/529,246, filed Aug. 1, 2019, entitled “Intrinsically Safe Firearm,” the entire disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference herein in its entirety. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND 
     Firearms are ubiquitous in the United States and tragic events related to accidental or unintentional discharge of these firearms are a subject of much concern to the populous as a whole. In one such tragedy, a young mother was killed while shopping when her two year old toddler accidently discharged a firearm. In this example, the mother was licensed to carry the firearm and it was stored in a zipped pocket of the mother&#39;s purse. This pocket was specifically designed for carrying concealed firearms, but the toddler unzipped the pocket and retrieved the concealed firearm before causing the discharge of one fatal round. 
     The problem of accidental firearm discharge is particularly acute in the context of personal defense firearms because these firearms are generally designed for concealment and to fire quickly and easily. In particular, firearms for personal defense are usually designed with limited safety features so that a user can quickly and easily fire rounds in response to an unexpected threat which makes personal defense firearms inherently less safe than firearms for hunting or recreational activities. In other words, reducing a risk of accidental discharge can increase a risk that a personal defense firearm will not be effective when used for self-defense. For example, storing a personal defense firearm separate from its ammunition would greatly reduce the risk that the firearm will discharge accidently; however, this would also increase an amount of time and effort involved in preparing the firearm to discharge the ammunition in response to an identified threat. 
     Conventional personal defense systems typically support rudimentary safety measures to prevent unintentional discharge. These conventional personal defense firearms may include a “safety” which can refer to any single means of prevention of an accidental discharge but which commonly refers to a minimum magnitude of an applied force to actuate a trigger or a button which can be actuated to release a lock. However, because of concerns that the firearm will not be effective when it is used for personal protection, many users carry firearms with the available safety features disengaged. This tends to further increase accident rates related to personal defense firearms. While the number of known accidents is significant, an actual number of unintentional discharges of these types of firearms is not known since “near-miss” scenarios are frequently not reported. 
     This problem is compounded by the nature of personal defense in that incidents involving use of a firearm for protection are largely unpredictable. Because of this unpredictability, personal defense firearms are typically worn by a user or stored in close proximity to the user. As a result, an amount user interaction, both intended and unintended, with personal defense firearms is substantially greater than an amount of user interaction with firearms intended for recreational use. The significant amount of time that users interact with their personal defense firearms creates a demand for lighter, smaller, and concealable firearm designs. However, these features can also create situations which may increase a risk of unintentional discharge. 
     For example, U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2010/0242329 to Carr et al. (hereinafter “Carr”) describes a compact foldable handgun. Carr describes that a handgrip is movable between a firing position and a storage position and that the handgrip can pivot relative to a frame. Can&#39;s handgrip is also movable along the frame in a direction aligned with a barrel. The design described by Carr utilizes both rotational and axial movement of the handgrip to move between the firing position and the storage position. Carr&#39;s ammunition is exposed in the storage position and Carr&#39;s design is capable of discharging in both the firing position and the storage position. 
     U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2016/0377361 to Osborne (hereinafter “Osborne”) describes a collapsible pistol. Osborne describes a pistol which may be opened into a ready-to-fire position with a single hand. Osborne further describes that manipulation of the pistol into and out of the open, ready-to-fire position can be accomplished by a user having relatively small hands and/or relatively low grip strength. Thus, Osborne presents an example of design features for quick and easy operation of a personal defense firearm but which also increase a risk that the firearm may be unintentionally discharged by a child. 
     U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2017/0321981 to Voigt (hereinafter “Voigt”) describes a folding pocket pistol. Voigt describes that the design of the pocket pistol is for the purpose of being easily carried and stored without resembling a firearm. The design described by Voigt is capable of discharging in both the folded and the unfolded configuration. 
     U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2017/0356710 to Full (hereinafter “Full I”) describes a folding compact pistol. Full I describes that a handle actuates relative to a frame and also rotates relative to the frame to fold the pistol. Full I&#39;s ammunition is exposed in the folded position and Full I&#39;s design is capable of discharging in both the folded position and the unfolded position. 
     U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2019/0033026 to Full (hereinafter “Full II”) describes a folding pistol. Full II describes modifications to an existing pistol which detaches a handgrip of the existing pistol from a frame of the existing pistol. Full II further describes a grip is movable between an extended position in which the pistol is operable and a stowed position in which the free end of the grip is adjacent to the frame. Full II&#39;s ammunition is exposed in the stowed position and Full II&#39;s design is capable of discharging in both the extended position and the storage position. 
     Thus, these conventional personal defense firearms suffer from a variety of challenges that may render the firearms unsafe in practice. Conventional systems designed specifically for concealment have increased risks of unintentional or accidental discharge. Further, many of the conventional firearms have sacrificed safety features in favor designs that are quick to operate and easy to discharge. Moreover, conventional firearms are typically capable of being operated by a small child such as the toddler in the tragic example above. Specifically, a small child that has the coordination, strength, and reach to operate the conventional systems may be able to unintentionally discharge a round intended for use in personal defense. 
     SUMMARY 
     An intrinsically safe firearm is described. The firearm includes a frame and a handle connected to the frame by a pivot pin which allows the handle to rotate relative to the frame. The firearm also includes a slide which can be disposed over a portion of the frame and a magazine which may be disposed in the handle. A pair of latches can temporarily fix the intrinsically safe firearm in a stowed orientation or a deployed orientation. 
     The firearm resembles a conventional firearm in the deployed orientation. For example, a trigger is accessible and can be actuated to discharge a round in a chamber of the firearm, and a trigger guard surrounds the trigger to prevent unintended discharges. A magazine safety of the magazine engages a firing pin safety which allows a firing pin to strike a primer of the round in the chamber. The magazine can be removed from the handle and the slide may be removed from the portion of the frame. While in the deployed orientation, a power supply energizes an integral laser sight which may be used to aim the intrinsically safe firearm using a laser spot projected by the laser sight as an indication of a path of a discharged round. 
     To convert the firearm from the deployed orientation to the stowed orientation, the pair of latches are released by a deliberate action of a user with hand strength and dexterity greater than a child is capable of providing. For example, the pair of latches may be simultaneously released to convert the firearm from the deployed orientation to the stowed orientation or to convert the firearm from the stowed orientation to the deployed orientation. After releasing the pair of latches, the handle is rotated relative to the frame until the latches temporarily fix the firearm in the stowed orientation. 
     In one example, the intrinsically safe firearm does not resemble a conventional firearm in the stowed orientation. For example, the trigger and the trigger guard are not directly accessible or visible. The trigger is also disconnected from a trigger bar in this orientation. Further, the magazine safety does not engage the firing pin safety and the firing pin is mechanically prevented from striking the primer of the round. While in the stowed orientation, the slide is not removable from the frame and the magazine is not removable from the handle. An electrical circuit which energizes the laser sight in the deployed orientation is opened and the laser sight is inoperable in the stowed orientation. Additionally, a lateral projection of the handle is disposed over a barrel of the firearm and the laser sight which prevents debris from entering an inner portion of the firearm. Further, the firearm can be safely stored, concealed, dropped, thrown, or otherwise mishandled in the stowed orientation because the firearm is not capable of discharge in this orientation. The intrinsically safe firearm can be converted to the deployed orientation by releasing the pair of latches, and rotating the handle relative to the frame until the latches temporarily fix the firearm in the deployed orientation. 
     The described systems and techniques overcome the limitations of conventional personal defense systems by providing a concealable firearm with more safety features than firearms not designed for concealment. While in the stowed orientation, the intrinsically safe firearm is not capable of discharging a round which is not possible in conventional firearms. Releasing the firearm from the stowed orientation can be performed by a deliberate action of an adult user which is not always the case using conventional techniques. Moreover, the described firearm can be converted from the stowed orientation to the deployed and ready to fire orientation in less time than conventional concealed firearms with no risk of unintentional or accidental discharge. 
     This Summary introduces a selection of concepts in a simplified form that are further described below in the Detailed Description. As such, this Summary is not intended to identify essential features of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended to be used as an aid in determining the scope of the claimed subject matter. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The detailed description is described with reference to the accompanying figures. Entities represented in the figures may be indicative of one or more entities and thus reference may be made interchangeably to single or plural forms of the entities in the discussion. 
         FIGS. 1A and 1B  are illustrations of an intrinsically safe firearm. 
         FIGS. 2A-2D  are illustrations depicting an intrinsically safe firearm in stowed and deployed orientations. 
         FIGS. 3A-3C  are illustrations depicting operation of a slide lock. 
         FIGS. 4A-4D  are illustrations of partially transparent representations of components of an intrinsically safe firearm as the firearm is converted from a deployed orientation to a stowed orientation. 
         FIG. 5  is a flow diagram depicting a procedure in an example implementation in which an intrinsically safe firearm is converted from a deployed orientation to a stowed orientation. 
         FIGS. 6A-6D  are illustrations of partially transparent representations of components of an intrinsically safe firearm as the firearm is converted from a stowed orientation to a deployed orientation. 
         FIG. 7  is a flow diagram depicting a procedure in an example implementation in which an intrinsically safe firearm is converted from a stowed orientation to a deployed orientation. 
         FIGS. 8A-8C  are illustrations depicting representations of a firing pin and a firing pin safety. 
         FIGS. 9A-9C  are illustrations depicting operation of a magazine safety. 
         FIGS. 10A-10C  are illustrations depicting operation of a latch. 
         FIGS. 11A-11D  are illustrations depicting example representations of a laser sight circuit. 
         FIGS. 12A-12F  are illustrations depicting example representations of operations of components of an intrinsically safe firearm. 
         FIGS. 13A-13D  are illustrations depicting component kinematics as an intrinsically safe firearm is converted from a deployed orientation to a stowed orientation. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Overview 
     Personal defense firearms are pervasive in the United States and tragic events related to accidental or unintentional discharge of these firearms are a subject of general concern world-wide. The problem of accidental firearm discharge is particularly acute in the context of personal defense firearms because these firearms are generally designed for concealment and to fire quickly and easily. Specifically, firearms for personal defense are usually designed with basic safety features so that a user can quickly and easily fire rounds in response to an unexpected threat which makes personal defense firearms potentially less safe than firearms for hunting or recreational activities. In other words, reducing a risk of accidental discharge can increase a risk that a personal defense firearm will not be effective when used for self-defense. 
     Conventional personal defense systems typically only include rudimentary safety measures to prevent unintentional discharge. These conventional personal defense firearms may include a “safety” which can refer to any single means of prevention of an accidental discharge but which commonly refers to a minimum magnitude of an applied force to actuate a trigger or a button which can be actuated to release a lock. However, because of concerns that the firearm will not be effective when it is used for personal protection, many users carry firearms with the available safety features disengaged. This tends to further increase accident rates related to personal defense firearms. While the number of known accidental shootings is substantial, an actual number of unintentional discharges of these types of firearms is not known since “near-miss” scenarios are frequently not reported. 
     This problem is compounded by the nature of personal defense in that incidents which may involve use of a firearm for protection are largely unpredictable. Because of this unpredictability, personal defense firearms are typically worn by a user or stored in close proximity to the user. As a result, an amount user interaction, both intended and unintended, with personal defense firearms is substantially greater than an amount of user interaction with firearms intended for recreational use. The significant amount of time that users interact with their personal defense firearms creates a demand for lighter, smaller, and concealable firearm designs. However, these features can also create situations which may increase a risk of unintentional discharge such as when accessing or operating a concealed firearm. 
     Systems and techniques for an intrinsically safe firearm are described. The firearm includes a frame and a handle connected to the frame by a pivot pin which allows the handle to rotate relative to the frame. The firearm also includes a slide which can be disposed over a portion of the frame and a magazine that may be disposed in the handle. A pair of latches can temporarily fix the intrinsically safe firearm in a stowed orientation or a deployed orientation. 
     In an example, the firearm resembles a conventional firearm in the deployed orientation. For example, a trigger is accessible and can be actuated to discharge a round in a chamber of the firearm, and a trigger guard surrounds the trigger to prevent unintended discharges. The trigger includes a trigger safety which can be released by applying a force to a lower portion of the trigger to actuate the trigger and discharge the round. In this way, the trigger safety can prevent an unintentional force from actuating the trigger. 
     While the firearm is in the deployed orientation, the trigger safety can also prevent the trigger from actuating in the event that the deployed firearm is dropped or mishandled. The trigger safety may additionally prevent the trigger from actuating as the intrinsically safe firearm is being converted from the stowed orientation to the deployed orientation. For example, if the firearm is “snapped” into the deployed orientation, the trigger safety can prevent the trigger from deflecting a trigger bar by stopping the trigger&#39;s rotation. 
     A magazine safety of the magazine engages a firing pin safety which allows a firing pin to strike a primer of the round in the chamber. The magazine safety engages the firing pin safety in this manner, solely in this example, when the firearm is in the deployed orientation. In this manner, the magazine safety can act as an additional safety feature by preventing the firing pin from striking the primer of the round when magazine safety does not engage the firing pin safety. 
     The magazine can be removed from the handle by actuating a magazine release, and the slide may be removed from the portion of the frame by disengaging a slide lock. While in the deployed orientation, a power supply energizes an integral laser sight which may be used to aim the intrinsically safe firearm using a laser spot projected by the laser sight as an indication of a path of a discharged round. The laser sight also provides an indication to a user that the firearm is in the deployed orientation because the laser sight is only energized in this orientation. In one example, the intrinsically safe firearm may include a scanner such as a fingerprint or a thumbprint scanner such as to confirm a user as an authorized user, and the power supply can provide power for the scanner in this example. 
     To convert the firearm from the deployed orientation to the stowed orientation, the pair of latches are released as part of a deliberate action by a user with hand strength and dexterity, which may be set to be greater than that of a child. For example, the pair of latches may involve simultaneous release to convert the firearm from the deployed orientation to the stowed orientation or to convert the firearm from the stowed orientation to the deployed orientation. For example, the latch or latches can include a tapered portion, and the tapered portion of the latch or latches can allow the latch or latches to automatically engage once having been released. 
     After releasing the pair of latches, the user rotates the handle relative to the frame until the latches temporarily fix the firearm in the stowed orientation. For example, the intrinsically safe firearm can include an internal channel of the frame as well as an internal guide of the handle. In this manner, the internal guide is disposed in the internal channel and an actuation of the guide within the channel can facilitate the rotation of the handle relative to the frame. Illustratively, a carriage of the firearm may linearly actuate relative to the frame as the handle rotates relative to the frame. In one example, the carriage facilitates a folding of the trigger guard as the firearm is converted from the deployed orientation to the stowed orientation. For example, as the user rotates the handle relative to the frame to stow the firearm, the carriage may retract relative to the frame to guide the kinematics of the conversion of the firearm to the stowed orientation. Illustratively, this retraction of the carriage relative to the frame can fold the trigger guard into the stowed orientation. In another example, the carriage can extend relative to the frame as the firearm is converted to the deployed orientation. In this example, the extension of the carriage relative to the frame can unfold the trigger guard as the handle rotates relative the frame. 
     In one example, the intrinsically safe firearm does not resemble a conventional firearm in the stowed orientation. In this orientation, the firearm has a length of approximately 7.2 inches; a width of approximately 3.2 inches; and a depth of approximately 0.75 inches such that the stowed firearm has a volume of less than 17.5 cubic inches. In some examples, the firearm has no sharp edges, raised portions, or visible apertures and easily fits into a purse or a suit breast pocket for concealment. If a footprint or an outline of the firearm in the stowed orientation is observable such as if the firearm is stored in a pocket, then the footprint or outline also does not resemble a firearm. Rather, this footprint or outline more closely resembles a smartphone or a wallet. 
     For example, while the firearm is in the stowed orientation, the trigger and the trigger guard are not accessible or visible. In one example, the trigger is also disconnected from a trigger bar in this orientation. In some embodiments, and while in the stowed orientation, the slide is not removable from the frame and the magazine is not removable from the handle. 
     In some examples, when the firearm is in the stowed orientation or in any orientation other than the deployed orientation, the magazine safety and the firing pin safety can prevent the discharge of the round in the chamber of the firearm. Specifically, the intrinsically safe firearm may include a firing pin safety spring which is configured to apply a force to the firing pin safety. This applied force can actuate the firing pin safety such that the firing pin safety is mechanically disposed between firing pin and the primer of the round in the chamber. In other words, the firing pin is not capable of striking the primer because such a strike is prevented by the firing pin safety in this example. 
     For example, an electrical circuit which energizes the laser sight in the deployed orientation is opened and the laser sight is inoperable in the stowed orientation. In this manner, the intrinsically safe firearm extends a useful life of the power supply. Additionally, a lateral projection of the handle may be disposed over a barrel of the firearm and the laser sight which prevents debris from entering an inner portion of the firearm. In some examples, the lateral projection may also be functional to reduce a lethality of a round that is discharged while the lateral projection covers the barrel of the firearm. In these examples, the lateral projection may be configured to mechanically reduce a momentum of the discharged round such that the round is no longer lethal. 
     Further, the firearm can be safely stored, concealed, dropped, thrown, or otherwise mishandled in the stowed orientation because the firearm is not capable of discharge in this orientation. The intrinsically safe firearm can be converted to the deployed orientation by releasing the pair of latches, and rotating the handle relative to the frame until the latches temporarily fix the firearm in the deployed orientation. As described above, this conversion may be performed by a deliberate action of the user with hand strength and dexterity greater than a child is capable of providing. 
     The described systems and techniques overcome the limitations of conventional personal defense systems by providing a concealable firearm with more safety features than firearms not designed for concealment. While in the stowed orientation, the intrinsically safe firearm is not capable of discharging a round which is not possible in conventional firearms. Releasing the firearm from the stowed orientation may be performed by a deliberate action of an adult user which is not the case using conventional techniques. Moreover, the described firearm can be converted from the stowed orientation to the deployed and ready to fire orientation in less time than conventional concealed firearms with no risk of unintentional or accidental discharge. 
     In the following discussion, an example environment is first described that may employ the techniques described herein. Example procedures are also described which may be performed in the example environment as well as other environments. Consequently, performance of the example procedures is not limited to the example environment and the example environment is not limited to performance of the example procedures. 
     EXAMPLE EMBODIMENTS 
       FIGS. 1A and 1B  are illustrations of an intrinsically safe firearm.  FIG. 1A  illustrates an intrinsically safe firearm in a stowed or safe orientation  100 .  FIG. 1B  illustrates an intrinsically safe firearm in a deployed or ready to fire orientation  102 .  FIG. 1A  includes illustrations of the stowed orientation  100  in an isometric view from the front  104  and in an isometric view from the rear  106 . As shown, the intrinsically safe firearm includes a slide  108  which has a first end  110  and a second end  112 . As further shown, the slide  108  includes no mechanical sights in this example; however, in other examples mechanical sights may be included. The slide  108  may be disposed over a portion of a frame  114  which is illustrated as being fixed to a handle  116 . For example, a portion of the handle  116  may be temporarily fixed to a portion of the frame  114  by a latch  118 , and the latch  118  may temporarily fix the intrinsically safe firearm in the stowed orientation  100 . 
     In some examples, the latch  118  can include multiple independent latches  118  and a user can actuate two latches  118  simultaneously to release the portion of the handle  116  from the portion of the frame  114 . In other examples, the latch  118  can also include more than two independent latches  118  and a user can actuate at least three latches  118  simultaneously, e.g., by using two hands, to release the handle  116  from the frame  114 . For example, the latch  118  may be configured to ensure that a user intends to temporarily release the portion of the handle  116  which is temporarily fixed to the portion of the frame  114 . In some examples, the latch  118  may be actuated by a deliberate action of an adult user to release the latch  118 . In other examples, the latch  118  may be configured to ensure that an unintended user does not release a portion of the handle  116  which is temporarily fixed to a portion of the frame  114  by the latch  118 . For example, the latch  118  may include features such as symbols which can indicate to the unintended user that the latch  118  is not to be released. 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 1A , the handle  116  may include a lateral projection  120  which extends laterally from a portion of the handle  116 . For example, the lateral projection  120  may be configured to cover an inner portion of the intrinsically safe firearm when the firearm is in the stowed or safe orientation  100 . In one example, the lateral projection  120  may be configured to prevent debris from entering the inner portion of the firearm, e.g., by covering slide second end  112 . In another example, the lateral projection  120  may form a seal to protect the inner portion of the firearm such as a hermetic seal or a watertight seal. In this manner, the lateral projection  120  may be configured to prevent air from an ingress into the inner portion of the firearm or the lateral projection  120  can be configured to prevent water from an ingress into the inner portion of the firearm. 
     As further shown in  FIG. 1A , the handle may also include a power supply housing  122  which may form a portion of the lateral projection  120 . In some examples, the power supply housing  122  may house a power supply such as a battery to provide electrical current to portions of the firearm under certain conditions. For example, the power supply housing  122  may be integrated into a magazine or integrated into the handle  116 . 
       FIG. 1B  includes illustrations of the deployed orientation  102  in an isometric view from the front  124  and in an isometric view from the rear  126 . As shown, the latch  118  has been released while the firearm was in the stowed configuration  100 , and the handle  116  has been actuated relative to the frame  114  until the latch  118  temporarily fixes the handle  116  to the frame  114  in the deployed orientation  102 . In some embodiments, as the handle  116  actuates from the stowed orientation  100  to the deployed orientation  102 , the lateral projection  120  exposes a barrel  128  and a laser sight  130  of the intrinsically safe firearm. The laser sight  130  is illustrated as being disposed in a laser sight housing of the frame  114  and the laser sight is energized when the firearm is in the deployed orientation  102 . In this manner, a user may aim the intrinsically safe firearm using a laser spot projected by the laser sight  130  as an indication of a path of a discharged round. In one or more embodiments, the firearm may provide multiple indicators to a user that the firearm is in the deployed orientation  102 . For example, a user may have tactile feedback that the firearm is in the deployed orientation  102  as the latch  118  temporarily fixes the handle  116  to the frame  114  in the deployed orientation  102 . In another example, a user may have visual feedback that the firearm is in the deployed orientation  102  as the laser sight  130  is energized. 
     As shown in  FIG. 1B , the firearm includes a trigger  132  and a trigger guard  134 . The trigger guard  134  is illustrated as surrounding the trigger  132  to prevent unintended actuation of the trigger  132  when the firearm is in the deployed orientation  102 . In one or more embodiments, the trigger  132  and the trigger guard  134  are not visible or accessible in the stowed configuration  100 . As illustrated, the intrinsically safe firearm also includes a magazine release  136 . While the firearm is in the deployed orientation  102 , actuating the magazine release  136  may be configured to release a magazine which can include the power supply housing  122 . In some examples, actuating the magazine release  136  while the firearm is in the stowed orientation may not release the magazine. 
       FIGS. 2A-2D  are illustrations depicting the intrinsically safe firearm in stowed and deployed orientations.  FIG. 2A  illustrates a side view of the firearm in the stowed orientation  200 .  FIG. 2B  illustrates a cross-sectional view in a sagittal plane of the firearm in the stowed orientation  202 .  FIG. 2C  illustrates a side view of the firearm in the deployed orientation  204 .  FIG. 2D  illustrates a cross-sectional view in a sagittal plane of the firearm in the deployed orientation  206 . As shown in  FIG. 2A , the latch  118  temporarily fixes the handle  116  to a portion of the frame  114  when the firearm is in the stowed orientation  100 . In one example, actuating the magazine release  136  does not release the magazine in this orientation. In another example, the slide  108  is not removable from the frame  114  in the stowed orientation  100 . As additionally illustrated, the trigger  132  is not accessible and the lateral projection  120  covers the barrel  128  and the laser sight  130 . As shown, the intrinsically safe firearm does not resemble a firearm in the stowed orientation  100 . In this orientation, the firearm has a length of approximately 7.2 inches; a width of approximately 3.2 inches; and a depth of approximately 0.75 inches such that the stowed firearm has a volume of less than 17.5 cubic inches. In some examples, the firearm can have a length of less than or greater than 7.2 inches; a width of less than or greater than 3.2 inches; and a depth of less than or greater than 0.75 inches. In the illustrated example, the firearm has no sharp edges, raised portions, or apertures and easily fits into a purse or a suit breast pocket for concealment. 
     As shown in  FIG. 2B , the intrinsically safe firearm can include multiple safety features preventing accidental or unintentional discharge when the firearm is in the stowed orientation  100 . For example, the trigger  132  is completely inaccessible and is stowed within the firearm in between the slide  108  and the handle  116 . The inaccessibility of the trigger  132  in the stowed orientation  100  may be a first safety feature of the intrinsically safe firearm which prevents accidental or unintentional discharge of the firearm. In the stowed orientation  100 , the trigger  132  is inert and positioned generally parallel to the slide  108  and the handle  116 . This disconnection of the trigger  132  in the stowed orientation  100  may be a second safety feature of the firearm which prevents discharge of the firearm. As shown, a portion of the trigger  132  is adjacent to a portion of the trigger guard  134  which is folded on itself in the stowed orientation  100 . 
     As illustrated, the intrinsically safe firearm includes a magazine  208 . The magazine  208  is illustrated to include a magazine safety  210 , rounds  212 , a feed spring  214 , and a power supply  216 . For example, the magazine  208  and the rounds  212  are inaccessible in the stowed orientation  100  which may be a third safety feature that prevents accidental discharge of the firearm. In the illustrated example, the magazine  208  contains 15 rounds  212  although in other examples, the magazine may contain less than 15 rounds or more than 15 rounds  212 . In one example, the rounds  212  may be 5.7×28 millimeter rounds. In other examples, the rounds  212  may be any suitable size or caliber. 
     In some embodiments, the magazine safety  210  is in a safe position while the firearm is in the stowed orientation  100  and this prevents the firearm from discharging a round independently of the other safety features. For example, the magazine safety  210  may prevent the firearm from discharging when the firearm is in any orientation other than the deployed orientation  102 . Thus, the magazine safety  210  may be a fourth safety feature of the intrinsically safe firearm which prevents unintentional and accidental discharge of the firearm. 
     In some examples, the power supply  216  supplies power to the laser sight  130  in the deployed orientation  102  but not in the stowed orientation  100 . In one example, the power supply  216  may only supply power to the laser sight  130  when the firearm is in the deployed orientation  102 . For example, the power supply  216  can be a battery which is integrated into the magazine  208 . In this example, changing the magazine  208  would also change the power supply  216 . 
     As shown, the firearm also includes a chambered round  218  and a slide lock  220 . The slide lock  220  can prevent the slide  108  from being removed from the firearm and the slide lock  220  is not accessible when the firearm is in the stowed orientation  100 . As illustrated in this example, the chambered round  218  in addition to the rounds  212  allow the intrinsically safe firearm a total round capacity of 16 rounds. However, the firearm may also have total round capacities of less than 16 rounds or more than 16 rounds. The chambered round  218  is prevented from discharge by the disconnected trigger  132  as well as the magazine safety  210  which ensures that a firing pin of the firearm is physically separated from a primer of the chambered round  218  in the stowed orientation  100 . For example, the magazine safety  210  may ensure that the firing pin is physically separated from the primer of the chambered round  218  when the firearm is in any orientation other than the deployed orientation  102 . 
     As further shown, the lateral projection  120  covers the barrel  128 , and in some examples, the lateral projection  120  is configured to prevent the chambered round  218  from exiting the barrel  128  in the event that the chambered round  218  is discharged. In other examples, the lateral projection  120  is configured to absorb an impact from the chambered round  218  such that the round exits the barrel  128  in a non-lethal capacity. In these examples, the vast majority of the kinetic energy associated with a discharge of the chambered round is dissipated by the lateral projection  120  and the remaining kinetic energy after impact with the lateral projection  120  is not sufficient to be lethal. In some examples, the lateral projection  120  may be manufactured from a synthetic fiber such as an aramid fiber. 
     As shown in  FIG. 2C , the latch  118  temporarily fixes the handle  116  to a portion of the frame  114  when the firearm is in the deployed orientation  102 . The trigger  132  is accessible and the lateral projection  120  does not cover the barrel  128  or the laser sight  130 . As illustrated, the intrinsically safe firearm does resemble a firearm in the deployed orientation  102 . In this orientation, the safety features of the stowed configuration  100  have been disabled and actuating the trigger  132  is effective to discharge the chambered round  218 . For example, actuating the magazine release  136  is effective to release the magazine  208  in this orientation. In one example, the slide  108  is also removable in the deployed orientation  102 , e.g., by disengaging the slide lock  220 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 2D , the intrinsically safe firearm may include no safety features to prevent discharge of the firearm when the firearm is in the deployed orientation  102 . For example, the trigger  132  is accessible and an actuation of the trigger  132  is effective to discharge the chambered round  218 . In this example, the trigger guard  134  has unfolded and surrounds the trigger  132 . As illustrated, the magazine safety  210  is engaged in position such that the firing pin may strike a primer of the chambered round  218 . In one or more embodiments, the power supply  216  supplies electrical current to the laser sight  130  and the laser sight is energized in the deployed orientation  102 . For example, this provides a first means of confirmation that the firearm is in the deployed orientation  102  and a tactile response from the latch  118  temporarily locking the firearm in the deployed orientation  102  provides a second means of confirmation that the intrinsically safe firearm is in the deployed orientation  102 . 
     In some examples, one or more portions of the intrinsically safe firearm can manufactured by additive manufacturing, e.g., one or more portions of the firearm may be manufactured by selective laser sintering, selective heat sintering, selective laser melting, electron-beam melting, direct metal laser sintering, electron beam freeform fabrication, stereolithography, digital light processing, fused deposition modeling, laminated object manufacturing, ultrasonic additive manufacturing, vat photopolymerization, material jetting, binder jetting, laser engineered net shaping, etc. For example, the firearm and/or its components may be manufactured by a machining process, a forging process, a casting process, a molding process such as injection molding, a forming process, a coating process, a joining process, etc. 
     In some examples, the firearm and/or its components may be manufactured from any suitable material, e.g., polymers, metals, metal alloys, etc., or from any combination of suitable materials. For example, the intrinsically safe firearm and/or its components may be manufactured from spring steel, e.g., the firearm and/or its components may be manufactured from a shape memory material. In some examples, the firearm and/or its components may be manufactured from stainless steel, e.g., the firearm and/or its components may be manufactured from Type 301 stainless steel, Type 302 stainless steel, Type 303 stainless steel, Type 304 stainless steel, Type 304L stainless steel, Type 304LN stainless steel, Type 310 stainless steel, Type 316 stainless steel, Type 316L stainless steel, Type 316Ti stainless steel, Type 321 stainless steel, Type 430 stainless steel, Type 440 stainless steel, Type 17-7 stainless steel, etc. 
     In one example, the firearm and/or its components may be manufactured from nitinol. In another example, the firearm and/or its components may be manufactured from aluminum, e.g., the firearm and/or its components may be manufactured from an aluminum alloy. In other examples, the firearm and/or its components may be manufactured from a 6061 aluminum alloy, a 6061-T4 aluminum alloy, a 6061-T6 aluminum alloy, a 6063 aluminum alloy, a 6063 aluminum alloy, etc. In further examples, the firearm and/or its components may be manufactured from titanium, e.g., the firearm and/or its components may be manufactured from a titanium alloy. For example, the firearm and/or its components may be manufactured from a Grade 5 titanium alloy, a Grade 6 titanium alloy, a Grade 7 titanium alloy, a Grade 7H titanium alloy, a Grade 9 titanium alloy, a Grade 11 titanium alloy, a Grade 12 titanium alloy, a Grade 16 titanium alloy, a Grade 17 titanium alloy, a Grade 18 titanium alloy, etc. In some examples, the firearm and/or its components may be manufactured from glass fiber, Aramid fiber, Kevlar fiber, carbon fiber which can include a carbon fiber reinforced polymer, etc. For example, the firearm and/or its components may be manufactured using an Inconel. In some examples, the firearm and/or its components may be manufactured from composite materials such as an epoxy composite material. In further examples, the firearm and/or its components can be manufactured from a polymer such as Nylon, Turcite, Torlon, polyether ether ketone (PEEK), etc. 
     In general, functionality, features, and concepts described in relation to the examples above and below may be employed in the context of the examples described in this section. Further, functionality, features, and concepts described in relation to different figures and examples in this document may be interchanged among one another and are not limited to implementation in the context of a particular figure or procedure. Moreover, blocks associated with different representative procedures and corresponding figures herein may be applied together and/or combined in different ways. Thus, individual functionality, features, and concepts described in relation to different example environments, devices, components, figures, and procedures herein may be used in any suitable combinations and are not limited to the particular combinations represented by the enumerated examples in this description. 
     Example Slide Lock Features 
       FIGS. 3A-3C  are illustrations depicting operation of a slide lock  220 .  FIG. 3A  illustrates the intrinsically safe firearm from a view looking upward at the firearm in a deployed orientation  300 .  FIG. 3B  illustrates a cutaway view of a cross-section in a sagittal plane of the intrinsically safe firearm  302  with the slide lock  220  engaged.  FIG. 3C  illustrates a cutaway view of a cross-section in a sagittal plane of the intrinsically safe firearm  304  with the slide lock  220  disengaged. As shown in  FIG. 3A , the firearm includes a slide lock release  306  which is accessible when the firearm is in the deployed orientation  102 . In an example, the slide lock release  306  may be disposed between the trigger guard  134  and the laser sight  130 . In some examples, an actuation of the slide lock release  306  is configured to disengage the slide lock  220 . 
       FIG. 3B  illustrates the slide lock  220  which includes a first end  308  and a second end  310 . As shown, the slide lock  220  can also include a slide lock pivot pin  312  and the slide lock  220  may be configured to rotate about the slide lock pivot pin  312 . In some examples, when the slide lock  220  is engaged, a slide lock spring  314  applies a force to a portion of the slide lock  220  which rotates the slide lock about the slide lock pivot pin  312  such that the slide lock first end  308  abuts a portion of the slide  108  which prevents forward motion of the slide  108  relative to the frame  114 . For example, the slide lock first end  308  may contact the portion of the slide  108  in a manner such that the slide lock first end  308  acts as a stop to prevent forward movement of the slide  108  which prevents the slide  108  from being removed from the frame  114 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 3C , actuating the slide lock release  306  is configured to rotate the slide lock  220 . For example, an application of a force to the slide lock release  306  having a magnitude greater than a magnitude of a force applied to the slide lock  220  by the slide lock spring  314  may be configured to rotate the slide lock  220  about the slide lock pivot pin  312 . As illustrated, this rotation actuates slide lock first end  308  to a position and the slide lock first end  308  does not abut the portion of the slide  108  in the position. While the force is applied to the slide lock release  306 , the slide lock  220  is disengaged and forward movement of the slide  108  relative to the frame  114  is not prevented by the slide lock  220 . For example, a user may remove the slide  108  from the frame  114  by clearing chambered round  218 , disengaging the slide lock  220 , and pulling the trigger  132 . Removing the force applied to the slide lock release  306  can enable the slide lock spring  314  to rotate the slide lock  220  about the slide lock pivot pin  312  which causes the slide lock first end  308  to abut the portion of the slide  108 . In other words, removing the force applied to the slide lock release  306  is configured to cause the slide lock  220  to be engaged and prevent forward movement of the slide  108  relative to the frame  114 . 
     Examples of Firearm Orientations 
       FIGS. 4A-4D  are illustrations of partially transparent representations of components of the intrinsically safe firearm as the firearm is converted from a deployed orientation to a stowed orientation.  FIG. 4A  is a partially transparent view of the components of the intrinsically safe firearm in a deployed orientation  400 .  FIG. 4B  is a partially transparent view of the components of the intrinsically safe firearm actuating out of the deployed orientation  402 .  FIG. 4C  is a partially transparent view of the components of the intrinsically safe firearm actuating into a stowed orientation  404 .  FIG. 4D  is a partially transparent view of the components of the intrinsically safe firearm in the stowed orientation  406 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 4A , the frame  114  includes a first end  408  and a second end  410 . As illustrated, a portion of latch  118  is disposed in a deployed detent  412  of the frame  114  and the latch  118  temporarily fixes the firearm in the deployed orientation  102 . For example, the frame  114  may also include a stowed detent  414  for temporarily fixing the firearm in the stowed orientation  100 . In some examples, the handle  116  and the frame  114  are connected by a pivot pin  416  and the handle  116  can rotate relative to the frame  114  about the pivot pin  416  when the latch  118  is released from the deployed detent  412  and the stowed detent  414 . In this manner, the frame  114  can also rotate relative to the handle  116  about the pivot pin  416  when the latch  118  is released from the deployed detent  412  and the stowed detent  414 . 
     For example, an actuation of the handle  116  relative to the frame  114  may be configured to convert the intrinsically safe firearm from the deployed orientation  102  to the stowed orientation  100  or convert the firearm from the stowed orientation  100  to the deployed orientation  102 . In one or more embodiments, an actuation of the handle  116  relative to the frame  114  in a first direction may be configured to convert the firearm from the deployed orientation  102  to the stowed orientation  100  and an actuation of the handle  116  relative to the frame  114  in a second direction may be configured to convert the firearm from the stowed orientation  100  to the deployed orientation  102 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 4A , the frame  114  may include a channel  418  having a first end  420  and a second end  422 . In one example, the channel  418  is internal to the frame  114  and the channel is not visible when the firearm is in the stowed orientation  100  or the deployed orientation  102 . The channel  418  is illustrated to have a slight curvature although the channel  418  may have no curvature in some examples. In other examples, the channel  418  can have other features such as angles or steps. As further shown, the handle  116  includes a guide  424  and the guide  424  is disposed in the channel  418 . In an example, the guide  424  is internal to the handle  116  and the guide  424  is not visible when the firearm is in the stowed orientation  100  or the deployed orientation  102 . In this manner, the guide  424  can be configured to actuate within the channel  418  such as to guide an actuation of the handle  116  relative to the frame  114  or to guide an actuation of the frame  114  relative to the handle  116 . The guide  424  is illustrated as being adjacent to the channel first end  422  in  FIG. 4A . 
     As illustrated, the firearm may also include a carriage  426  which can be configured to facilitate a conversion of the intrinsically safe firearm from the deployed orientation  102  to the stowed orientation  100  and/or facilitate a conversion of the firearm from the stowed orientation  100  to the deployed orientation  102 . For example, the carriage  426  may actuate relative to the frame  114  to guide these conversions by actuating towards the frame second end  410  as the firearm is converted from the deployed orientation  102  to the stowed orientation  100 . The carriage  426  may further guide such conversions by actuating towards the frame first end  408  as the firearm is converted from the stowed orientation  100  to the deployed orientation  102 . 
       FIG. 4B  illustrates the firearm actuating out of the deployed orientation  402 . The latch  118  has been released from the deployed detent  412 , e.g., a user can release the latch  118  by actuating the latch  118 . In one or more embodiments, the latch  118  can be two independent latches  118  and when the firearm is in the deployed orientation, the two independent latches  118  are partially disposed in two independent deployed detents  412 . In this example, the two independent latches  118  can be released from the two independent deployed detents  412  simultaneously to actuate the firearm out of the deployed orientation  402 . In other examples, the two independent latches  118  each can be released from the independent deployed detents  412  but simultaneous release is not necessary to actuate the firearm into the deployed orientation  402 . In some embodiments, a first latch  118  can be released from a first deployed detent  412  and then a second latch  118  can be released from a second deployed detent  412  to actuate the firearm out of the deployed orientation  402 . For example, the firearm may be actuated out of the deployed orientation  402  by a deliberate action of an adult user such as the user simultaneously releasing two latches  118 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 4B , the guide  424  has actuated within the channel  418 , e.g., away from the channel second end  422  and towards the channel first end  420 . In one example, this actuation also can actuate the carriage  426  relative to the frame  114  which can facilitate the kinematics of one or more components of the firearm actuating simultaneously. In this example, the carriage  426  has actuated relative to the frame  114  towards the frame second end  410  and away from the frame first end  408 . 
     The latch  118  has actuated away from the deployed detent  412  and towards the stowed detent  414  in this example. As illustrated, the lateral projection  120  has actuated towards the frame first end  408  and the handle  116  has actuated relative to the frame  114 . For example, after releasing the latch  118  from the deployed detent  412 , an application of a force vector to having a direction that is towards the frame first end  408  and away from the frame second end  410  to the handle  116  may be configured to actuate the handle  116  relative to the frame  114 . In some embodiments, the application of the force to the handle  116  may be configured to actuate the firearm out of the deployed orientation  402 . 
     As further shown, the magazine safety  210  has actuated into the frame  114  and the magazine safety  210  no longer partially extends out from the frame  114 . The trigger  132  is beginning to actuate into a portion of the frame  114  and the trigger guard  134  is beginning to fold over itself. In one example, the channel  418  and the guide  424  are configured to guide a rotation of the handle  116  about the pivot pin  416  to actuate the firearm out of the deployed orientation  402 . In some embodiments, the guide  424  can only actuate within the channel  418  and the guide  424  and the channel  418  direct an actuation of the handle  116  relative to the pivot pin  416 . 
       FIG. 4C  illustrates the firearm actuating into a stowed orientation  404 . As shown, the guide  424  has fully actuated within the channel  418 , e.g., the guide  424  has actuated from being adjacent to the channel second end  422  to being adjacent to the channel first end  420 . As shown in  FIG. 4C , the lateral projection  120  has actuated closer to the frame first end  408 . The carriage  426  has actuated further relative to the frame  114  towards the frame second end  410  and away from the frame first end  408  and this actuation also actuates a portion of the trigger  132 . As also shown, the trigger  132  has actuated into the frame  114  almost completely as the trigger guard  234  continues to fold over itself which may be facilitated by the actuation of the carriage  426  in some embodiments. For example, a continued application of the force vector having the direction towards the frame first end  408  and away from the frame second end  410  to the handle  116  after actuating the firearm out of the deployed orientation  402  may be configured to actuate the firearm closer to the stowed orientation  100 . As illustrated, the latch  118  has actuated closer to the stowed detent  414  and farther from the deployed detent  412 . 
       FIG. 4D  illustrates the firearm in the stowed orientation  406 . As illustrated, the latch  118  is fixed in the stowed detent  414 . In some examples, two independent latches  118  are partially disposed in two independent stowed detents  414 . As shown in  FIG. 4D , the lateral projection  120  is disposed over the frame first end  408 . The carriage  426  has fully actuated relative to the frame  114  towards the frame second end  410  and away from the frame first end  408 . As further shown, the trigger  132  is fully disposed between the frame  114  and the handle  116  and the trigger guard  134  is completely folder over itself. Note that the guide  424  is disposed a distance away from the channel first end  420 . Note also that the pivot pin  416  is disposed near the channel second end  422 . In one example, the latch  118  temporarily fixes the firearm in the stowed orientation  100 , e.g., until the latch  118  is released by a deliberate action of a user. 
       FIG. 5  is a flow diagram depicting a procedure  500  in an example implementation in which an intrinsically safe firearm is converted from a deployed orientation to a stowed orientation. First, latches are actuated to release the latches from deployed detents of a frame of a firearm to actuate the firearm out of a deployed orientation (block  502 ). For example, a user can actuate latches  118  to release the latches  118  from the deployed detents  412  of the frame  114  of the firearm to actuate the firearm out of the deployed orientation  102 . A force vector having a direction towards a first end of the frame and away from a second end of the frame is applied to a handle of a firearm (block  504 ). In one example, a user can apply the force vector having the direction towards the frame first end  408  and away from the frame second end  410  to the handle  116  of the firearm. Finally, latches are actuated into stowed detents of the frame to fix the firearm in a stowed orientation (block  506 ). For example, a user can actuate the latches  118  into the stowed detents  414  of the frame  114  to fix the firearm in the stowed orientation  100 . 
       FIGS. 6A-6D  are illustrations of partially transparent representations of components of an intrinsically safe firearm as the firearm is converted from a stowed orientation to a deployed orientation.  FIG. 6A  is a partially transparent view of the components of the intrinsically safe firearm in a stowed orientation  600 .  FIG. 6B  is a partially transparent view of the components of the intrinsically safe firearm actuating out of the stowed orientation  602 .  FIG. 6C  is a partially transparent view of the components of the intrinsically safe firearm actuating into a deployed orientation  604 .  FIG. 6D  is a partially transparent view of the components of the intrinsically safe firearm in the deployed orientation  606 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 6A , latch  118  is fixed in stowed detent  414  and trigger  132  is not accessible. In some examples, a user may release the latch  118  which can include multiple latches  118  and which may be simultaneously actuated, and then rotate handle  116  about pivot pin  416  as shown in  FIG. 6B  Further rotation of the handle  116  about the pivot pin  414  is illustrated in  FIG. 6C .  FIG. 6D  illustrates complete rotation of the handle  116  about the pivot pin  416  which causes the latch  118  to be fixed in deployed detent  412 . As shown in  FIG. 6D , the intrinsically safe firearm is temporarily fixed in the deployed orientation  102 . 
       FIG. 7  is a flow diagram depicting a procedure  700  in an example implementation in which an intrinsically safe firearm is converted from a stowed orientation to a deployed orientation. First, latches are actuated to release the latches from stowed detents of a frame of a firearm to actuate the firearm out of a stowed orientation (block  702  For example, a user can actuate the latches  118  to release the latches from stowed the detents  414  of the frame  114  of the firearm to actuate the firearm out of the stowed orientation. A force vector having a direction towards a second end of the frame and away from a first end of the frame is applied to a handle of the firearm (block  704 ). In one example, a user may apply the force vector having the direction towards the frame second end  410  and away from the frame first end  208  to the handle  116  of the firearm. Finally, latches are actuated into deployed detents of the frame to fix the firearm in a deployed orientation (block  708 ). For example, a user may actuate the latches  118  into the deployed detents  412  of the frame  114  to fix the firearm in the deployed orientation. 
     Example Safety Features 
       FIGS. 8A-8C  are illustrations depicting representations of a firing pin and a firing pin safety.  FIG. 8A  illustrates a representation of an example firing pin  800 .  FIG. 8B  illustrates a representation of an engaged firing pin safety  802 .  FIG. 8C  illustrates a representation of a disengaged firing pin safety  804 . As shown in  FIG. 8A , the firing pin  800  includes a firing pin first end  806  and a firing pin second end  808 . As illustrated, the firing pin  800  also includes a striker  810  and a block  812 . The striker  810  is configured to striker a primer of a round such as chambered round  218  in this example. The block  812  is illustrated to include a stop geometry  814  and a strike geometry  816 . In some examples, the firing pin  800  may also include a flange  818 , a base  820 , and a sear interface  822 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 8B , a firing pin safety  824  is disposed between the striker  810  and the chambered round  218 . As illustrated, the firing pin safety  824  may include a magazine safety interface  826 , a spring cup  828 , a block geometry interface  830 , and a firing pin safety spring  832 . In one example, a firing pin spring  834  may be configured to actuate the striker  210  towards a primer of the chambered round  218 , e.g., to discharge the chambered round  218 . In this example, the firing pin safety  824  may prevent the striker  810  from contacting the primer of the chambered round  218 . Consider an example in which the firing pin safety spring  832  applies a force to the spring cup  828  which actuates the firing pin safety  824  to a position in which the firing pin safety  824  is an engaged firing pin safety  802 . In this example, the block geometry interface  830  of the firing pin safety  824  is aligned with the stop geometry  814  of the block  812  of the firing pin  800 . As the striker  810  of the firing pin  800  advances towards the chambered round  218 , an interface between the block geometry interface  830  and the stop geometry  814  prevents the striker  810  from advancing further towards the chambered round  218 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 8C , the magazine safety  210  applies a force to the magazine safety interface  826  of the firing pin safety  824  which has a greater magnitude than a magnitude of the force applied to the spring cup  828  by the firing pin safety spring  832 . In this manner, the magazine safety  210  actuates the firing pin safety  824  to a position in which the firing pin safety  824  is a disengaged firing pin safety  804 . Consider another example in which the block geometry interface  830  of the firing pin safety  824  is aligned with the strike geometry  816  of the block  812  of the firing pin  800 . As the striker  810  of the firing pin  800  advances towards the chambered round  218 , an interface between the block geometry interface  830  and the strike geometry  816  allows the striker  810  to contact the primer of the chambered round  218 . 
       FIGS. 9A-9C  are illustrations depicting operation of a magazine safety.  FIG. 9A  illustrates a representation of an unsupported firing pin safety  900 .  FIG. 9B  illustrates a representation of the magazine safety  210  disengaging the firing pin safety  902 .  FIG. 9C  illustrates a representation of example functionality in response to a disengaged firing pin safety  904 . As shown in  FIG. 9A , the magazine safety  210  is a distance away from the firing pin safety  824 . As illustrated, the firing pin safety  824  prevents the striker  810  from contacting the chambered round  218 . As shown in  FIG. 9B , the magazine safety  210  actuates the firing pin safety  824  to align the block geometry interface  830  of the firing pin safety  824  with the strike geometry  816  of the firing pin  800 . As shown in  FIG. 9C , the disengaged firing pin safety  824  allows the striker  810  to contact a primer of the chambered round  218  in this example. 
     Additional safety features associated with a trigger safety are also described in reference to  FIGS. 12A-12F . Briefly, the trigger safety may be configured to prevent an actuation of the trigger  132  as the firearm is converted from the stowed orientation  100  to the deployed orientation  102 . For example, the trigger safety may be configured to prevent an actuation of the trigger  132  in the event of the firearm being dropped while in the deployed orientation  102 . In one or more embodiments, the trigger safety can also be configured to prevent a non-deliberate finger press from actuating the trigger  132 . 
     Example Latch Features 
       FIGS. 10A-10C  are illustrations depicting operation of a latch.  FIG. 10A  illustrates a partially exploded view of a latch assembly  1000 .  FIG. 10B  illustrates a representation of the latch in the deployed orientation  1002 .  FIG. 10C  illustrates a representation of the latch in the stowed orientation  1004 . As shown in  FIG. 10A , a portion of the handle  116  can include a recessed portion  1006  and an actuator housing  1008 . In some examples, the latch  118  can include an actuator  1010  having a detent catch  1012 . The latch  118  can also include a user interface  1014 , a user interface base  1016 , and a user interface housing  1018 . For example, the actuator  1010  may be disposed in the actuator housing  1008  such that a force applied to the actuator  1010  may deflect the actuator into the recessed portion  1006 . In some examples, the user interface  1014  can be disposed between the actuator  1010  and the user interface base  1016  For example, a portion of the user interface  1014  may be disposed in the user interface housing  1018 . In this manner, a user may apply a force to the user interface  1014  which is transferred to the actuator  1010  to actuate the detent catch  1012  into the recessed portion  1006 . Thus, an actuation of the detent catch  1012  into the recessed portion  1006  may be configured to release the latch  118 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 10B , the latch  118  is disposed in the deployed detent  412 . For example, the detent catch  1012  may be disposed in the deployed detent  412 . In some examples, a user can apply a force to the latch  118  by applying the force to the user interface  1014 . In these examples, applying the force to the user interface  1014  actuates the detent catch  1012  into the recessed portion  1006  and releases the latch  118  from the deployed detent  412 . For example, latch  118  can include a tapered portion which facilitates automatic engagement of the latch  118  once having been released. 
     As shown in  FIG. 10C , the latch  118  is disposed in the stowed detent  414 . For example, the detent catch  1012  may be disposed in the stowed detent  414 . In some examples, a user can apply a force to the latch  118  by applying the force to the user interface  1014 . In these examples, applying the force to the user interface  1014  actuates the detent catch  1012  into the recessed portion  1006  and releases the latch  118  from the stowed detent  414 . 
     Example Circuits 
       FIGS. 11A-11D  are illustrations depicting example representations of a laser sight circuit.  FIG. 11A  illustrates functionality of the power supply housing  1100 .  FIG. 11B  illustrates a representation of electrical conductors  1102 .  FIG. 11C  illustrates a representation of a closed laser sight circuit  1104 .  FIG. 11D  illustrates a representation of an open laser sight circuit  1106 . As shown in  FIG. 11A , the power supply housing  122  includes an inner portion  1108  for housing the power supply  216 . As illustrated, the power supply housing  122  also includes door  1110  which is illustrated as functional to temporarily fix the power supply  216  in the inner portion  1108  and to release the power supply  216  from the inner portion  1108  of the power supply housing  122 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 11B , the handle  116  may include a first conductor  1112  and a second conductor  1114 . In one example, the first conductor  1112  and the second conductor  1114  may be configured to conduct electrical current as electrical conductors.  FIG. 11C  illustrates an example configuration of the laser sight circuit when the firearm is in the deployed orientation  102 . As shown in  FIG. 11C , the second electrical conductor  1114  includes an extension  1116  which electrically connects the second electrical conductor  1114  to a ground terminal  1118  of the power supply  216 . As illustrated, the first electrical conductor  1112  includes an extension  1120  which electrically connects the first electrical conductor  1112  to an active or hot terminal  1122  of the power supply  216 . In one example, the first electrical conductor  1112  may be electrically connected to a laser sight electrical conductor  1124  which includes an extension  1126  that electrically connects the laser sight electrical conductor  1124  to a laser sight terminal  1128 . In this example, the laser sight terminal  1128  is electrically connected to the active terminal  1122  of the power supply  216 . In this manner, the power supply  216  provides electrical current to the laser sight terminal  1128  which energizes the laser sight  130  when the intrinsically safe firearm is in the deployed orientation  102 . 
       FIG. 11D  illustrates an example configuration of the laser sight circuit when the firearm is in the stowed orientation  100 . As shown in  FIG. 11D , the laser sight conductor  1124  is electrically disconnected from the first electrical conductor  1112  which opens the electrical connection between the laser sight terminal  1128  and the active terminal  1122  of the power supply  216 . In this manner, the laser sight  130  is not energized when the intrinsically safe firearm is in the stowed orientation  100 . 
     Example Operations 
       FIGS. 12A-12F  are illustrations depicting example representations of operations of components of an intrinsically safe firearm.  FIG. 12A  illustrates a trigger assembly  1200 .  FIG. 12B  illustrates a representation of components of the firearm in a cocked configuration  1202 .  FIG. 12C  illustrates a representation of components of the firearm in a configuration in which a trigger safety has been disengaged  1204 .  FIG. 12D  illustrates a representation of components of the firearm before the firing pin is released  1206 .  FIG. 12E  illustrates a representation of components of the firearm as the chambered round is discharged  1208 .  FIG. 12F  illustrates a representation of components of the firearm as the slide cycles after discharge  1210 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 12A , trigger  132  can include an upper trigger  1212 , a lower trigger  1214 , an upper trigger spring  1216 , a lower trigger spring  1218 , a trigger safety pivot  1220 , a trigger pivot  1222 , and an upper trigger pin  1224 . In some examples, the upper trigger  1212  may include a trigger pivot housing  1226 , a trigger safety pivot inner housing  1228 , and an upper trigger channel  1230 . For example, the lower trigger  1214  may include a trigger safety pivot outer housing  1232 . In one or more embodiments, the trigger safety pivot  1220  may be disposed in the trigger safety pivot out housing  1232 , the lower trigger spring  1218  and the trigger safety pivot inner housing  1228 . In this manner, the trigger safety pivot  1220  can connect the upper trigger  1212  and the lower trigger  1214 . In some examples, the trigger pivot  1222  may be disposed in the trigger pivot housing  1226 , the upper trigger spring  1216 , and a portion  1234  of the trigger guard  134 . In this way, the trigger pivot  122  can connect the upper trigger  1212  to the trigger guard  134 . In some examples, the upper trigger pin  1224  may be disposed in the upper trigger channel  1230 . 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 12B , the firearm may include a paw  1236 , a sear  1238 , and a trigger bar  1240 . In some examples, the trigger bar  1240  can include a trigger bar pin  1242 , a trigger bar spring  1244 , and a trigger bar end  1246 . The firearm is also illustrated to include an integral stop  1248  as part of the trigger guard  134  in one example. In the cocked configuration  1202  illustrated, the lower trigger spring  1218  applies a force which rotates the lower trigger  1214  relative to the upper trigger  1212  and engages a trigger safety as the upper portion of the lower trigger  1214  abuts a portion of the trigger guard  134  disposed between the pivot pin  416  and the trigger pivot  1222 . For example, this trigger safety can be disengaged by applying a force vector having a direction towards the integral trigger stop  1248  to the lower trigger  1214 . While the trigger safety is engaged, the upper trigger  1212  as adjacent to and abuts the trigger bar pin  1242 . In some examples, an application of a force to a portion of the upper trigger  1212  may not disengage the trigger safety and thus not discharge a round. In one example, this feature may prevent the trigger  132  from actuating in the event that the firearm is dropped while in the deployed orientation  102 . 
     In some examples, the trigger safety can have additional functionality such as to prevent discharge of the intrinsically safe firearm in the event that the firearm is “snapped” into the deployed orientation  102 . As described herein, the trigger  132  is rotated approximately 90 degrees when the firearm is in the stowed orientation  100 . As the firearm is converted from the stowed orientation  100  to the deployed orientation  102 , the trigger  132  rotates back the approximately 90 degrees. If this back rotation of the trigger  132  happened quickly enough, the inertia of the trigger  132  could deflect the trigger bar  1240  and cause the firearm to discharge. However, the trigger safety prevents the trigger  132  from deflecting the trigger bar  1240  in this scenario by stopping the trigger&#39;s rotation as illustrated in  FIG. 12B . 
     As shown in  FIG. 12C , the trigger safety has been disengaged and the trigger  132  has rotated about the trigger pivot  1222  and a portion of the upper trigger  1212  contacting the trigger bar pin  1242  has actuated the trigger bar pin  1242  towards the trigger bar end  1246  which has advanced the trigger bar  1240 . As illustrated, advancing the trigger bar  1240  pulls the paw  1236  forward until the paw  1236  engages the sear  1238  which begins to release the firing pin  800  by releasing the sear interface  822 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 12D , continued rotation of the trigger  132  about the trigger pivot  1222  causes the lower trigger  1214  to actuate towards the integral stop  1248  and causes the upper trigger  1212  to continue to actuate the trigger bar pin  1242  towards the trigger bar end  1246 . As illustrated, actuating the trigger bar pin  1242  towards the trigger bar end  1246  advances the trigger bar  1240  which pulls the paw  1236  forward and further engages the sear  1238 . As shown, the sear  1238  is about to release the firing pin  800  which will discharge the firearm as shown in  FIG. 12E . 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 12E , the firing pin  800  has been released and the striker  810  is actuated into a primer of the chambered round  218 . In some examples, the integral stop  1248  prevents any further rotation of the trigger  132  and discharging the chambered round  218  actuates the slide  108  in a direction opposite of the direction of the discharged round. In an example, the slide  108  includes a linear cam mechanism (not shown) which rotates the paw  1236  causing the paw  1236  to release the sear  1238 . 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 12F , when the paw  1236  releases the sear  1238 , the released sear  1238  catches the firing pin  800  as the slide  108  cycles. As shown in  FIG. 12F , the trigger  132  is still pulled and additional rotation of the trigger  132  is prevented by the integrated stop  1248 . For example, releasing the trigger  132  allows the trigger bar  1240  and paw  1236  to retract and once the paw  1236  is clear of the sear  1238 , the paw  1236  can rotate forward to engage the sear  1238  again and the system is reset and ready to discharge a round  212 . 
       FIGS. 13A-13D  are illustrations depicting component kinematics as an intrinsically safe firearm is converted from a deployed orientation to a stowed orientation.  FIG. 13A  illustrates a cross-section of components of the firearm in the deployed orientation  1300 .  FIG. 13B  illustrates a cross-section of components of the firearm actuating out of the deployed orientation  1302 .  FIG. 13C  illustrates a cross-section of components of the firearm actuating into a stowed orientation  1304 .  FIG. 13D  illustrates a cross-section of components of the firearm in the stowed orientation  1306 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 13A , the trigger guard  134  includes a first arm  1308  and a second arm  1310  connected by a first guard pivot  1312 . In an example, the first arm  1308  may also be connected to a portion of the firearm by a second guard pivot  1314 . In another example, the second arm  1310  may also be connected to a portion of the firearm by a third guard pivot  1316 . For example, the third guard pivot  1316  may be disposed in a frame channel  1318  of the frame  114  such that the third guard pivot  1316  may actuate within the frame channel  1318 . As shown, the integrated stop  1248  is disposed between the trigger  132  and the second guard pivot  1314 . In some examples,  FIG. 13A  presents the firearm in the in the cocked configuration shown in  FIG. 12B . As illustrated, the carriage  426  may be partially disposed in the frame channel  1318  and the carriage  426  may be configured to actuate within the frame channel  1318 . For example, a portion of the carriage  426  may be connected to the second arm  1310  by the third guard pivot  1316  such that an actuation of the carriage  426  may be configured to actuate the second arm  1310 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 13B , the handle  116  has rotated relative to the pivot pin  416  and the second guard pivot  1314 . As further shown, the second arm  1310  has rotated about the first guard pivot  1312  and the third guard pivot  1316  has actuated in the frame channel  1318 . In some examples, an actuation of the carriage  426  in the frame channel  1318  can actuate the third guard pivot  1316  in the frame channel  1318 . As illustrated in this example, the third guard pivot  1316  has actuated towards the trigger  132  within the frame channel  1318 . In an example, the first arm  1308  contacts the trigger  132  and the trigger  132  has actuated away from the trigger bar pin  1242 . In this example, no portion of the trigger  132  contacts the trigger bar pin  1242 . As also illustrated, the trigger  132  has begun to rotate about the trigger pivot  1222  in a direction opposite of the direction the trigger  132  rotates about the trigger pivot  1222  when a user pulls the trigger  132  to discharge a round when the firearm is in the deployed orientation  102 . Additionally, the integrated stop  1248  is now shown disposed between the trigger  132  and the first guard pivot  1312 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 13C , the handle  116  has rotated further relative to the pivot pin  416  and the second guard pivot  1314 . As illustrated, the second arm  1310  has rotated further about the first guard pivot  1312  and the third guard pivot  1316  has actuated further in the frame channel  1318  towards the trigger bar pin  1242 . The carriage  426  is shown as having further actuated in the frame channel  1318  and in some examples the actuation of the carriage  426  may be configured to actuate the third guard pivot  1316 . For example, an amount of the first arm  1308  in contact with the trigger  132  has increased and the trigger  132  has actuated further away from the trigger bar pin  1242 . In this example, no portion of the trigger  132  contacts the trigger bar pin  1242 . As shown, the trigger  132  has continued to rotate about the trigger pivot  1222  in the direction opposite of the direction the trigger  132  rotates when a user pulls the trigger  132  to discharge a round when the firearm is in the deployed orientation  102 . As further shown, the trigger  132  is disposed between the integrated stop  1248  and the second guard pivot  1314 . In an example, the carriage  426  may be connected to the pivot pin  416  and an actuation of the carriage  426  may be configured to actuate a portion of the trigger  132 . For example, the carriage  426  and a portion of the trigger  132  may be connected by the pivot pin  416  such that an actuation of pivot pin  416  actuates the trigger  132 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 13D , the handle  116  has fully rotated relative to the pivot pin  416  and the latch  118  (not shown) temporarily fixes the firearm in the stowed orientation  100 . As illustrated, the second arm  1310  has fully rotated about the first guard pivot  1312  and the second aim  1310  has folded onto the first arm  1308 . The carriage  426  is shown fully actuated relative to the frame  114  and a portion of the carriage  426  may be adjacent to the integral stop  1248  in some examples. 
     For example, the third guard pivot  1316  is shown fully actuated within the frame channel  1318  such that the third guard pivot  1316  is disposed below the trigger bar  1240  and above the first arm  1308 . In another example, the third guard pivot  1316  is shown disposed between the first guard pivot  1312  and the second guard pivot  1314 . As further illustrated, the trigger bar pin  1242  is disposed between the first guard pivot  1312  and the third guard pivot  1316 , e.g., the trigger bar pin  1242  is disposed nearer to the third guard pivot  1316  than the first guard pivot  1312 . For example, the trigger  132  may be disposed between the integral stop  1248  and the pivot pin  416  and the integral stop  1248  is shown disposed between the trigger  132  and the third guard pivot  1316 . 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 13D , the first arm  1308  is disposed below the second arm  1310  and the trigger  132  and above the magazine  208 . For example, the pivot pin  416  may be disposed below the trigger bar  1240  and above the magazine  208 . In some examples, the first arm  1308 , the second arm  1310 , and the trigger  132  may be disposed below the trigger bar  1240  and above the magazine  208 . As further shown, the trigger  132  is fully disconnected from the trigger bar  1240  and the trigger bar pin  1242  such that no portion of the trigger  132  contacts the trigger bar  1240 , the paw  1236 , or the sear  1238 . Additionally, in this example, magazine safety  210  is fully disconnected from the firing pin safety  824  and the magazine safety  210  is illustrated to be disposed below the paw  1236  and the sear  1238 . In some examples, the trigger guard  134  is continuous and does not include slots or gaps to interface with the trigger  132  and/or other elements of the trigger guard  134 . 
     In some embodiments, the intrinsically safe firearm may include an additional feature or features to add additional functionality and/or to augment functionality described herein. For example, the firearm may include one or more sensors to decrease a risk that the firearm will be used by an unauthorized user. In one example, the intrinsically safe firearm may include a scanner such as a fingerprint or a thumbprint scanner to confirm a user as an authorized user before releasing the latch  118  to convert the firearm from the stowed orientation  100  to the deployed orientation  102 . In this example, the scanner may be powered by the power supply  216 . 
     In another example, the intrinsically safe firearm may be configured as a single-use firearm. Consider an example in which the intrinsically safe firearm is configured as a single-use firearm. In this example, the firearm may not include a removable magazine and may be provided initially in a stowed orientation  100 . Continuing this example, a user may only be able to convert the firearm from the stowed orientation  100  to the deployed orientation  102  one time and after a single use, the firearm may no longer be operational. Other embodiments are also contemplated. 
     In some embodiments, the laser sight  130  may be pre-aligned such that it is usable as an accurate indicator of a path of a discharged round without adjusting parameters of the laser sight based on observed paths of discharged rounds. In other words, in some examples, the laser sight  130  can be useable without sighting-in the laser sight  130 . In other embodiments, the laser sight  130  may be augmented or replaced by an illumination light such as a light emitting diode or a light emitting diode array. In these embodiments, the illumination light may provide dual functionality of illuminating an area in front of or around a user and may also temporarily blind or impair vision of a threat. In this manner, the illumination light can provide an additional safety feature which allows the user to identify a target as well as to identify potential non-targets in close proximity to the target. In these embodiments, the illumination light may be powered by the power supply  216 . 
     In one or more embodiments, the intrinsically safe nature of the firearm in the stowed orientation  100  may be leveraged to provide augmented or additional functionality. For example, the firearm may combine aspects of lethal or less than lethal defenses with aspects of lethal defenses. In a particular example, some or all of the rounds  212  and/or the chambered round  218  may be non-lethal or less than lethal rounds. Non-lethal or less than lethal rounds may include rubber bullets, flash bang rounds, salt and/or pepper rounds, etc. Consider an example in which the chambered round  218  may be a non-lethal or less than lethal round. In this example, the user can discharge the chambered round  218  in a non-lethal attempt to dispatch the threat. Continuing this example, the remaining rounds  212  may be lethal rounds in such scenarios where the non-lethal attempt to dispatch the threat was unsuccessful. In a similar example, the chambered round  218  and one or more rounds  212  disposed a distance from the feed spring  214  may be non-lethal or less than lethal rounds. In this similar example, the user may discharge several non-lethal rounds in an attempt to dispatch the threat before discharging lethal rounds in the scenario in which the non-lethal attempts to dispatch the threat are not successful. 
     In another example, the chambered round  218  may be a lethal round, some of the rounds  212  disposed the distance from the feed spring  214  may be non-lethal or less than lethal rounds, and the remaining rounds  212  can be lethal rounds. Consider an example in which the chambered round  218  is a lethal round so that a lethal defense is available immediately after converting the firearm from the stowed orientation  100  to the deployed orientation  102 . This gives the user an opportunity to assess the threat level and discharge the chambered round  218  to dispatch the threat or in a manner that warns the threat that the user has lethal defensive capabilities. Continuing this example, the user may then discharge one or more non-lethal rounds  212  in an attempt to dispatch the threat which can either augment the lethal force applied to the threat by the chambered round  218  or to replace the lethal force of the chambered round  218 . As in the other examples, the additional lethal rounds  212  can be available and discharged if the user&#39;s previous attempts to dispatch the threat were unsuccessful. 
     Conclusion 
     Although the implementations of an intrinsically safe firearm have been described in language specific to structural features and/or methods, it is to be understood that the appended claims are not necessarily limited to the specific features or methods described. Rather, the specific features and methods are disclosed as example implementations of the intrinsically safe firearm, and other equivalent features and methods are intended to be within the scope of the appended claims. Further, various different examples are described and it is to be appreciated that each described example can be implemented independently or in connection with one or more other described examples.