US: World’s First Smart Gun Goes On Sale

Improve the News Foundation -

Facts

  • One of the world's first commercially-available smart guns, operating on facial recognition and a fingerprint unlocking system, has officially hit the US market, with pre-orders of the first version expected to be filled by Q4 of this year.1
  • The $1,499 9mm handgun — announced earlier this month — is reportedly designed for home defense, and per Colorado-based gun-making firm Biofire Tech, it can prevent accidental shootings, reduce firearm suicides, and render lost or stolen guns useless.2
  • According to Biofire, the gun – which can't be modified into a regular mechanical gun – unlocks in seconds and automatically locks when it leaves the authorized user's hand.3
  • The biometric gun is equipped with a "fire-by-wire" security system commonly used on modern fighter jets and missile systems and shoots like any high-quality firearm.4
  • In 2014, German firm Armatix brought a smart .22 caliber pistol to the market that used a radio frequency watch to unlock the weapon. It was pulled from stores after hackers used magnets to unlock and fire the gun.5
  • According to data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, firearms are the leading cause of death for US children and teens, with gun violence killing more people between the ages of 1 and 19 than car accidents, cancer, or drug overdoses.6

Sources: 1Reuters, 2New York Post, 3Evening Standard, 4Prnewswire, 5NBC (a), and 6NBC (b).

Narratives

  • Narrative A, as provided by Gizmodo. Smart guns are unreliable and hackable and would likely fail when needed for self-defense at a moment's notice. The latest battery-powered innovation twice failed to fire during recent demonstrations. Moreover, the wide release of smart guns could set off a new arms race among manufacturers eager to cash in on a gun-addicted nation and usher in a renewed debate over additional firearm legislation.
  • Narrative B, as provided by FOX News. There are no complete solutions, but this innovative technology will benefit responsible gun owners. The smart gun can improve gun safety in the US by significantly reducing accidental shootings at home and preventing unauthorized people, such as kids and criminals, from firing it.
  • Cynical narrative, as provided by NSSF. Smart guns are part of a government scheme to suppress firearm ownership and ban traditional guns. The so-called safer gun may not just allow law enforcement to track or jam the weapon; it could severely impact personal privacy and drive up the cost of a simple handgun purchase exponentially.

Predictions