Patent ID: 8336436

Claim:
A firearm having: a) an action mechanism configured to accept a bullet and place the bullet in position to be fired; and, b) a charging handle having, 1) a rod member, a first end thereof configured to engage the action mechanism such that movement of the rod member causes the action to accept said bullet and place the bullet in position to be fired; 2) a locking mechanism having a first and second section, a first end thereof configured to secure said charging handle to said action mechanism, between the first section and the second section, said locking mechanism rotatably secured proximate to a second end of said rod member; 3) a spring pressing the second section of said locking mechanism to encourage the first end of said locking mechanism to engage the action mechanism; and, 4) a handle, rotatably connected to the rod member proximate to a second end of said rod member, said handle having a first and a second pressure surface, said handle further having a right and a left finger pull and configured to, A) when said right finger pull in engaged by a user, to press the first pressure surface against the first section of said locking mechanism causing the first end of the locking mechanism to disengage said action mechanism, and, B) when said left finger pull is engaged by a user, to press the second pressure surface against the second section of said locking mechanism causing the first end of the locking mechanism to disengage said action mechanism.