Smart guns, still a dumb idea
Sixty people crowded into a small room at the Bayonne police firing range to witness smart gun technology. Donald H. Sebastian, PhD, senior vice president of research and development at New Jersey Institute of Technology (NJIT), stood near an oversized screen displaying a real-time video of an NJIT policeman shooting an experimental handgun in an adjacent indoor range. Although there was no applause as shots rang out, the action demonstrated that smart gun knew friend from foe.
Sixteen electronic computerized sensors embedded in the gun’s grip distinguished known from unknown users. “We’ve only just begun and we’re pleased to say that we’re getting 90 percent reliability when scanning users,” said Sebastian.
If people are expected to depend their life on it, 90% isn’t good enough. For those not in the know, NJ has mandated that smart guns are the only ones to be sold. Well, once they’re invented that is.
August 17th, 2006 at 9:03 am
It’s rather telling that the law you mentioned doesn’t apply to LEO’s. If it was really reliable, wouldn’t you want cops’ guns to be protected from use by “unauthorized persons”?
August 17th, 2006 at 9:08 am
Why stop at “smart” guns? Why not demand Star Trek-like phasers with the power to stun an opponent unconscious with no ill effects?
It’s about as realistic…
August 17th, 2006 at 10:24 am
How about a challenge? Their guy gets the holstered Smart Gun, I get my Asp and my blades. I’ll be somewhere in a 3 block area.
Since it’s a demo I get a vest and he gets a helmet and padding.
Think they’d take the bet?
August 17th, 2006 at 5:19 pm
Don’t worry about the 90% failure rate. I’m sure kits will appear that replace the electronics and make the guns dumb(er) again. It’s just like modifying a PS2 to play pirated games. Of course, it will probably be illegal to modify the guns, so…
Of course, criminals won’t obey laws. So, for a short time period, a criminal won’t be able to use a biometric-protected gun (such as right after stealing it), but in the long-term, it won’t have any effect. The guns will just be “cleaned” of those features.