Smart guns again, am I right? It feels like every 4 to 5 years, there seems to be a new update or development about smart guns. What exactly is the motive behind smart guns, why are people opposing the technology, and what’s the way out? Well, let’s find out.
Let’s Catch Up
A smart gun is a firearm that uses “authorized user recognition” technology to detect the authorized user of the firearm. In other words, smart guns can only be used by an authorized and licensed owner. If it’s not yours, the firearm wouldn’t work. Based on the design, smart guns will use chips and fingerprint recognition to detect the authorized user.
The idea behind smart guns began in the mid-90s when it was perceived to be a solution to curb the excessive injuries and deaths of law enforcement officers and citizens. Ever since its inception, the idea has been met by fierce opposition and concerns. Smart guns seem like a right call to curb firearm-related injuries and violence. So why the opposition?
Why The Opposition?
There are a few reasons why people are opposed to the idea of smart guns. You should know that some of the opposition are valid and genuine while some others are birthed from gun-control groups[A1] that just want to get rid of firearms completely; smart guns or not. Today, we are going to look at those valid concerns and none of the biased opposition from gun control groups. The first on the list is:
Immature Technology
Undoubtedly the most valid opposition towards smart guns as of today is that the technology behind the idea is still budding. To make a firearm that only recognizes one user, the technology has to be totally reliable, safe, and totally fail-proof. It’s safe to say that the technology still remains in the prototype stage.
Product Liability Concerns
We now live in a world where a lawsuit is just around every corner and firearm manufacturers know this too. The design, production, and market of smart guns have to be backed by utmost certainty.
So far, most of the design concepts behind smart guns are centered around battery operation. So, what happens when the battery fails or gets drained? Will the firearm be unusable by the authorized user or does the firearm default into a setting where it can be used by anybody else? Any fail or malfunction of the smart gun will be met with lawsuits especially in the case of a related injury or death.
So, to prevent product liability lawsuits, manufacturers for now still oppose introducing smart guns to the public.
Firearm Safety
Currently, gun owners struggle with the basic rules of firearm safety. When you now introduce a firearm that has user recognition, careless owners can leave loaded smart guns lying around the home while relying on the technology to prevent its usage. This raises concerns about firearm safety.
Other valid concerns towards smart guns include lack of consumer demand and selfish mandates birthed from gun control idealists. So, what’s the way forward?
What’s The Way Forward?
The only way out of these concerns is proper firearm ownership. If gun owners can take proper care and responsibility for their firearms, then a bulk of these issues will be addressed. You can learn about proper firearm ownership and safety here. You can also check out other firearm-safety related posts on this website to learn more about proper firearm ownership.
Though smart guns are not a public reality yet, let’s check out some potential advantages and disadvantages of the firearm technology.
Potential Pros To Using Smart Guns
- Reduced rate of firearm-related injuries
- Reduced rate of firearm violence and crime
- Firearm accountability as each smart gun can only be used by the authorized user
- Smart guns will eliminate firearm theft
- Smart guns can be another way to generate revenue.
Potential Cons To Using Smart Guns
- Increased maintenance cost. There is no doubt that smart guns will cost more to maintain.
- Increased purchasing costs as smart guns will be more expensive than your average handgun
- Concerns about firearm safety and careless gun owners
Final words
Overall, smart guns seem like a revolution to the world of firearms but like all revolutions, it comes at a cost and it will take some time to be achieved. You should know that there are selfish agendas out there to prevent the realization of smart guns. So, when next you decide to read an article or mandate about the technology, be sure to see right through the BS. For more firearm-related posts, ensure to check out other interesting articles on this website.
I do not understand. Are you saying the opposition is because the gc groups are incorrect? Or if they are justing flack because they are who they are.
