code: function (ev, pointer) {
        if (this.state.isRunning) return;
        var parentTarget = this.getNearestParent(ev.target);
        // Get the options from the nearest registered parent
        var parentTargetOptions = parentTarget && parentTarget.$mdGesture[this.name] || {};
  
        this.state = {
          isRunning: true,
          // Override the default options with the nearest registered parent's options
          options: angular.extend({}, this.options, parentTargetOptions),
          // Pass in the registered parent node to the state so the onStart listener can use
          registeredParent: parentTarget
        };
        this.onStart(ev, pointer);
      }
docs: onStart sets up a new state for the handler, which includes options from the nearest registered parent element of ev.target.