Biometrics for Handguns

[galileo]

http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2004-11/njio-nsg110404.php


Since 2000, NJIT has spearheaded efforts to develop a personalized handgun that can recognize, instantly and reliably, one or more pre-programmed authorized users.

[RickTheDestroyer]

Damn... the benefits of a thing like would be tremendous, assuming that it will not fire for someone who is not an authorized user.
I mean, I'd feel much safer having something like that in my house, knowing that it could not be used by kids... I know that most people are already very safe about gun storage, but anything that further reduces the likelihood of people getting killed by accident is good. Also it would be nice for cops or people who have it for self defense to not ever have to worry about someone else using their own gun against them.

[galileo]

That's the point, from what I've gathered. Only the set number of people can shoot it therefore limiting so many problems inherent to handguns. For example :
· Your kid won't fire your gun.
· You won't get robbed and have your gun taken from you and used against you.
· The justice system will be slightly improved by a better audit of gun use.

Just think - what if the only place you can program your gun is from a registered gun facility? The, there will be distinct traceability to each gun and the black market will become slightly more limited.

I know people will hack the technology, find a way around it, or switch to cooler weapons like rapiers, but in the end it may just be a dent.

[txterry]

Its only a matter of time for this to happen. Should cut down on crime from stolen handguns and midnight specials.
And whats next .. a GPS locator and networking allowing the gun to be traced online and shut down whenever the feds think theres a dangerous situation .. hmmm

[BCC]

With the amount of normal guns already floating around, I don't think this would affect many for a long time.

[galileo]

With the amount of normal guns already floating around, I don't think this would affect many for a long time.

Other countries were successful with their gun buy-back programs. That in itself will stop the number of newly stolen guns. It won't be an immediate benefit, but after a while the gun crimes will likely go down.

[MixmasterNash]

It's a silly, useless technology, in my opinion. Biometrics will never achieve even a near-perfect authentication rate under any circumstances. Lock your guns and make them available when necessary.

[BigRic]

The government should put ads in the papers for large sums of money, then when the criminals bring their guns in they do ballistics and fingering printing on the scene, to see if the gun has been involved in a crime. This idea is much more cooler than stupid authorization crap :D

[Gyno Rhino]

As MMN said, it's ridiculous.


This kind of thing will not work on a wide scale anytime soon. All it will take is one cop having his gun fail when he needs it - and the whole experiment will be over.

[galileo]

Can't wear gloves either. :(

[MixmasterNash]

Can't wear gloves either. :(

Yeah, and when your hand is all lubed up it probably won't work either.

[Gyno Rhino]

My gun fires fine when my hand is all lubed up.

Maybe you should see a doctor.

[Genacide]

The first time that a gun doesn't fire because the authorized user wasn't authorised for any reason (holding gun funny, dirt on hands etc...) and the person is shot by another person the law suits will start.

I'll never buy a gun that has it. :shoot:

[HahnB]

I agree with Rhino here and I also don't feel like paying $900 dollars(or more) for a new Beretta 9mm because it has smart gun technology.

[Praetorian]

Just think - what if the only place you can program your gun is from a registered gun facility? The, there will be distinct traceability to each gun and the black market will become slightly more limited.

how long do you think it will take before someone cracks the 'code' and programs the guns illegally?