The United States and firearms are tied together like Romeo and Juliet, often resulting in even worse tragedies. Despite rampant gun crime, America is still attached to poorly limited access of weapons. However, newly developed Smart Guns may be able to help mitigate some of the danger.
Reported by Reuters, the United States will soon have access to personalised smart weapons that take advantage of modern technology. While still dangerous in the wrong hands, these Smart Guns will be able to limit the number of people who can use them.
How Smart Guns will improve the US
Created by LodeStar Works and SmartGunz LLC, the in-development weapons will be locked down to individual users. Currently, anyone who knows how to use a firearm — even vaguely — can pick up someone's gun and use it. With these weapons, only verified users will be able to shoot from a weapon.
The firearms verify individual users with fingerprints. Additionally, weapons can be unlocked with a phone app using a near-field communication chip. Finally, a pin code can be entered in emergencies in case fingerprint sensors are severely damaged. Weapons aren't limited to a single user, allowing multiple people to share the same weapon.
LodeStar co-founder Gareth Glaser explained the decision to go all-in on weapons verification was inspired by a history of tragedies. Glaser cited hearing “too many stories” of children shot while playing with unattended guns.
Additionally, the co-founder said that the technology could help to reduce suicides and crimes with stolen weapons. For example, if used in prisons, then guards wouldn't have to worry about gun grabs.
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A history of smart weaponry
LodeStar isn't the only company that's been interested in creating Smart Guns to combat gun crime. Back in 1999, Smith and Wesson started to work on creating smart weapons. However, development was stopped after a boycott sponsored by the National Rifle Association.
Additionally, smart guns were created by German manufacturer Armatix in 2014. The gun was quickly discontinued after hackers discovered ways to fire the guns without verification. However, LodeStar’s take on the technology may finally be ready for the public.
Glaser believes that his weapons’ microelectronic tech is safe enough for launch, and will soon arrive in US stores. The tech will also be entering a beta phase with law enforcement to test its efficiency.