US Patent 9581401 Firearm grip safety

A passive safety for an AR platform firearm includes a sliding or pivoting rotating safety which is normally active to prevent trigger movement as would cause the firearm to discharge, and even when any active safety on the firearm is in a “fire” position. The passive safety is deactivated when an operator grips the firearm in a normal position to engage and pivot the trigger to discharge the firearm. Alternative embodiments are disclosed.