Technology could have a role to play to reduce U.S. gun violence — at some point.
"Smart guns," which can be fired only by an authorized person and can be rendered unworkable at all in certain locations, and gunfire detection systems are among technologies taking aim at the hot-button issue.
Biometrics such as fingerprint, handprint and retina recognition are among gun-use-limiting technologies being tested.
But
these technologies that would limit how and where a gun is fired won't
be widely available anytime soon, says Los Angeles-based security
professional Steve Lee.
"It's likely in the civilian market that we'll see good, reliable, use-limiting technology in many new firearms," Lee said. "We're not there yet, but I think we'll get there in 10 to 20 years."
Lee's Steve Lee & Associates consults with business, government, law enforcement and military clients on security assessments.
Gun-use-limiting efforts also include so-called "pairing technologies," where the user needs radio frequency identification (RFID) or other electronics to enable firing of so-called "smart guns," Lee says.
Not everyone sees smart guns as a panacea to gun-violence woes. Critics say the weapons could be less reliable and more expensive than other guns, and that invasion of privacy is an issue. And in any case, these technologies would not have stopped many of the tragedies that have occurred from legally purchased guns.
Gun maker Smith & Wesson (SWHC) declined to comment for this story. Gun maker Sturm Ruger (RGR) didn't respond to requests for comment, nor did the NRA.
Europe appears to be ahead of the U.S. in bringing high-tech guns to market.
German gun manufacturer Armatrix sells a wristwatch-controlled RFID—enabled smart gun.
And Irish startup TriggerSmart has created a smart-gun prototype. It's under development but patented in the U.S. and other countries, says company co-founder Robert McNamara.
Only an authorized user with an RFID "tag" can unblock the firing mechanism, McNamara says. The tag can be embedded in, say, a ring or bracelet. Contact with the tag would enable the gun to fire.
And the gun could automatically be disabled in certain locations, such as around schools. Transmitters at school entry points would disable any childproof smart guns coming into the control safe zone.
Respect Second Amendment
TriggerSmart hopes to start manufacturing its smart gun within a year, McNamara says. The company's products "respect the Second Amendment," he said. "It doesn't mean you can't have guns."
TriggerSmart addresses gun safety, not gun control. The two issues are often confused, he says.
"Smart guns," which can be fired only by an authorized person and can be rendered unworkable at all in certain locations, and gunfire detection systems are among technologies taking aim at the hot-button issue.
Biometrics such as fingerprint, handprint and retina recognition are among gun-use-limiting technologies being tested.
A
New Jersey Institute of Technology photo shows a handgun with
transducers on its handle that can detect the grasp of authorized
users. View Enlarged Image
"It's likely in the civilian market that we'll see good, reliable, use-limiting technology in many new firearms," Lee said. "We're not there yet, but I think we'll get there in 10 to 20 years."
Lee's Steve Lee & Associates consults with business, government, law enforcement and military clients on security assessments.
Gun-use-limiting efforts also include so-called "pairing technologies," where the user needs radio frequency identification (RFID) or other electronics to enable firing of so-called "smart guns," Lee says.
Not everyone sees smart guns as a panacea to gun-violence woes. Critics say the weapons could be less reliable and more expensive than other guns, and that invasion of privacy is an issue. And in any case, these technologies would not have stopped many of the tragedies that have occurred from legally purchased guns.
Gun maker Smith & Wesson (SWHC) declined to comment for this story. Gun maker Sturm Ruger (RGR) didn't respond to requests for comment, nor did the NRA.
Europe appears to be ahead of the U.S. in bringing high-tech guns to market.
German gun manufacturer Armatrix sells a wristwatch-controlled RFID—enabled smart gun.
And Irish startup TriggerSmart has created a smart-gun prototype. It's under development but patented in the U.S. and other countries, says company co-founder Robert McNamara.
Only an authorized user with an RFID "tag" can unblock the firing mechanism, McNamara says. The tag can be embedded in, say, a ring or bracelet. Contact with the tag would enable the gun to fire.
And the gun could automatically be disabled in certain locations, such as around schools. Transmitters at school entry points would disable any childproof smart guns coming into the control safe zone.
Respect Second Amendment
TriggerSmart hopes to start manufacturing its smart gun within a year, McNamara says. The company's products "respect the Second Amendment," he said. "It doesn't mean you can't have guns."
TriggerSmart addresses gun safety, not gun control. The two issues are often confused, he says.
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