Will "Smart guns" eventually prevent gun violence?

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 02 Sep 2015 21:49:26 -0400

It's already being said that no gun shop in America will sell the smart guns.

The argument for the use/sale of these weapons is that only the owner will be able to fire the weapon because of the use of finger print recognition technology, hand biometrics, coded locks or other features to ensure a gun can be fired only by its owner, preventing stolen weapons from being used in crimes.

The argument against the use/sale of these weapons is the supporters of the 2nd Amendment say smart guns will make it easier for the government to control the sale and use of lawful firearms.
They fear, the advent of guns with high-tech safety mechanisms will prompt state governments to mandate their use. New Jersey already has such a law on the books.

http://www.latimes.com/science/la-sci-smart-gun-20150615-story.html

'Smart' guns may help prevent violence — if they can make it on the U.S. market

German entrepreneur Bernd Dietel had a radical idea about gun safety.

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 2 at 2015 9:51 PM

SPC Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 02 Sep 2015 21:51:21 -0400

Nothing will prevent criminals from getting firearms, not fun laws, or "smart guns", hate to say it but there will always be fun violence in this country. Look at Chicago; strictest gun laws in the nation, one of the highest murder rates in the nation.

Response by SFC Joe S. Davis Jr., MSM, DSL made Sep 2 at 2015 9:51 PM

SFC Joe S. Davis Jr., MSM, DSL — Wed, 02 Sep 2015 21:51:28 -0400

Its worth a try if it is mandated and becomes law. Its worth a shot for democracy.

Response by SGM Mikel Dawson made Sep 2 at 2015 9:54 PM

SGM Mikel Dawson — Wed, 02 Sep 2015 21:54:26 -0400

Guns never started or stopped anything - it the person/persons holding the gun who starts or stops anything. You want to find a solution? - then work on the source of the problem.

Response by SSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 2 at 2015 10:12 PM

SSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 02 Sep 2015 22:12:37 -0400

Nope, it won't. Even if the government could get American citizens to accept the idea (they won't be able to) it wouldn't help. Folks have been murdering, raping and pillaging each other since long before guns.

Response by LTC John Shaw made Sep 2 at 2015 10:17 PM

LTC John Shaw — Wed, 02 Sep 2015 22:17:46 -0400

Guns will eventually be replaced by non-lethal devices as states, cities and individuals try anything to avoid liability when protecting ourselves.
The military will also have smart guns and non-lethal as future administrations focus on the the destruction of an adversary but restraint and redirection.
This is how Dems and the liberal courts will get around the 2nd amendment is by using technology that did not exist at the time.
Civil liability will be used as a wedge against lawful gun owners and police. States and cities pay out millions of dollars in compensation for secondary impacts or accidental deaths when civilians are caught in crossfire.
I am confident that over time liberal courts will keep assigning civil liability to gun owners and it will become too risky or expensive to own a 'conventional' weapon = not a smart gun or a non-lethal method.

Response by LCDR Rabbah Rona Matlow made Sep 2 at 2015 10:44 PM

LCDR Rabbah Rona Matlow — Wed, 02 Sep 2015 22:44:14 -0400

NO! - full auto weapons are illegal, and yet they're plentiful. Criminals will find a way to subvert every safety.

The bigger issue is dealing with the underlying social issues that lead to gun violence. No-one wants to tackle those. The GOP because it costs money and the Dems because of sacred cows.

They'd rather point fingers at each other about the 2Nd Amendment and gun ownership...

Just as we don't ban cars because of DUI drivers, guns shouldn't be banned because of gun violence - it ignores the issues.

BTW, I'm not and never have been a gun owner or NRA member...

Response by CPT Russell Pitre made Sep 2 at 2015 11:00 PM

CPT Russell Pitre — Wed, 02 Sep 2015 23:00:30 -0400

Nope, only smart people. You can't change tool enough to stop it's use. Even if you can't fire a gun you can still use it to rob a store.

Response by CPL Eric Allen made Sep 2 at 2015 11:09 PM

CPL Eric Allen — Wed, 02 Sep 2015 23:09:38 -0400

No but guns don't kill people. idiot people with bad intentions kill people

Response by Cpl James Waycasie made Sep 2 at 2015 11:13 PM

Cpl James Waycasie — Wed, 02 Sep 2015 23:13:11 -0400

I doubt if it would help. Any type of technology can be hacked. It would just be a matter of time ( and probably a short one ) before there would be a way to hack the smart guns.

Response by Capt Seid Waddell made Sep 2 at 2015 11:17 PM

Capt Seid Waddell — Wed, 02 Sep 2015 23:17:29 -0400

No, this is simply an attempt to put the blame for crime on the hardware instead of the wetware that is the actual cause of crime, and this misguided effort will fail in detail.

Response by SCPO Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 2 at 2015 11:32 PM

SCPO Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 02 Sep 2015 23:32:23 -0400

They MIGHT help, but prevent it by ending it? No. Humans are involved. IT'S NOT THE GUN'S FAULT!!!

Response by SSG Keven Lahde made Sep 3 at 2015 12:04 AM

SSG Keven Lahde — Thu, 03 Sep 2015 00:04:18 -0400

CPT Private RallyPoint Member Ma' am Smart Guns??? Do they come with an app too? I mean what is this world coming too? Guns don't kill people, idiots and stupid people kill. I think I will sue McDonald's for making me fat, or sue Camel for giving me lung cancer, even though I don't smoke.....lol. Just too funny if you ask me.

Response by CPT Sean Lehman made Sep 3 at 2015 12:18 AM

CPT Sean Lehman — Thu, 03 Sep 2015 00:18:32 -0400

No, because they won't catch on, and that is because the technology is fundamentally not sufficiently reliable for people's needs whose lives depend on their firearm functioning when they need it to. I have a biometric (fingerprint) gun safe, and it often takes several seconds for it to recognize my fingerprint. Probably 3 out of 10 times, it takes a second try. I will never trust a "smart" gun with my life...never. It must work the first time, every time, and the very instant that I need it...anything less is unacceptable.

Response by SSG Toryn Green made Sep 3 at 2015 12:43 AM

SSG Toryn Green — Thu, 03 Sep 2015 00:43:00 -0400

No. As long as there are criminals, there will be gun violence. Let's just say that the ONLY guns that are sold in the US are "smart guns". What about all the millions of guns that are already out there? They will at some point find their way into the wrong hands. Precisely why strict gun control laws will never work. All you do is disarm those who follow the laws. Criminals do not follow the laws.

Response by CSM Charles Hayden made Sep 3 at 2015 1:35 AM

CSM Charles Hayden — Thu, 03 Sep 2015 01:35:11 -0400

CPT M C. That horse shi- sucks, Americans have so
many guns stashed, that they will never all be found. Those 'stashed' weapons may someday save our Nation.

A retired SF friend of mine purchased 2 handguns in his name. He told me that upon his death, they would be passed to his grandsons. He did not mention a change of ownership! MSG ----- also had a Browning w/o a serial #. He was told, CM! The pistol is yours upon completion!

Response by SSgt Terry P. made Sep 3 at 2015 4:54 AM

SSgt Terry P. — Thu, 03 Sep 2015 04:54:45 -0400

No,they will not.Criminals will always find ways to circumvent laws and safety features.Only training in proper handling of weapons can help.

Response by CW3 Guy Snodgrass made Sep 3 at 2015 7:14 AM

CW3 Guy Snodgrass — Thu, 03 Sep 2015 07:14:00 -0400

First, the focus needs to be on the appropriate source of the problem.....the one holding the weapon. A weapon (gun) doesn't kill anyone or anything...it is the one holding the weapon that kills. People are being catered to so much so that many have forgotten how to "think" on their own. Stress cards, no child left behind, and all the other rubbish have removed the responsibility from the individual so that they "don't feel bad". Well it needs to stop. Everyone needs to take responsibility for ones own actions. Sometimes those actions are bad....own up to it and deal with the consequences. If you don't want to "feel bad"....don't do something bad. Its really quite simple. There was an old slogan, "Don't do the crime if you can't do the time".

Response by SSG Warren Swan made Sep 3 at 2015 9:12 AM

SSG Warren Swan — Thu, 03 Sep 2015 09:12:23 -0400

You can have "smart" weapons and dumb people. Doesn't make anything safer.

Response by SPC Nathan Freeman made Sep 3 at 2015 10:05 AM

SPC Nathan Freeman — Thu, 03 Sep 2015 10:05:04 -0400

You can cut someone's finger off with pruning shears. The main problem with these laws is that criminals don't obey laws. That's why they're called criminals.

Response by SPC Jan Allbright, M.Sc., R.S. made Sep 3 at 2015 10:09 AM

SPC Jan Allbright, M.Sc., R.S. — Thu, 03 Sep 2015 10:09:33 -0400

Will the gun be able to tell when the owner has gone off the rails?

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 3 at 2015 11:10 AM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 03 Sep 2015 11:10:41 -0400

This hurts my head. I didn't even read it and the title enough hurts my head.

Responsible Gun Ownership > Everything else.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 3 at 2015 11:15 AM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 03 Sep 2015 11:15:17 -0400

smart guns make perfect sense.. can you imagine being in a confrontation with a criminal and you had to pull your weapon and you forget the password?

Response by SFC John Elam made Sep 3 at 2015 11:20 AM

SFC John Elam — Thu, 03 Sep 2015 11:20:10 -0400

No, because guns already exist without smart technology. I don't see them disappearing. I don't see laws being passed to eliminate you from the possession of one's without smart technology. That technology was created for prevention of someone else using your weapon. It's a gun lock.

Response by PO1 John Miller made Sep 4 at 2015 2:58 AM

PO1 John Miller — Fri, 04 Sep 2015 02:58:32 -0400

No, because not all guns will be "smart" and criminals will just continue to use "illegal" guns, load their own ammunition, etc. Plus with 3D printers people can now make their own guns legally. Oh, and they an reload their own ammo as well.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 4 at 2015 8:24 AM

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 04 Sep 2015 08:24:02 -0400

Nope! Only hurt those who try to defend self and try to use other person's gun (aka family or friend or fallen officer) or malfunction when needed like biometric safes that may not work if you sweating or move too quickly.

Criminals will always find a way, hence the black market guns. Or they will start using pencils to stab people with until we have smart pencils.

Response by SSgt Terry P. made Sep 4 at 2015 8:31 AM

SSgt Terry P. — Fri, 04 Sep 2015 08:31:58 -0400

We need smart people not "smart guns"!!!

Response by SSgt Alex Robinson made Sep 4 at 2015 8:41 AM

SSgt Alex Robinson — Fri, 04 Sep 2015 08:41:03 -0400

I doubt it will. There are too Many who place zero value on life

Response by SGT Apollo Sharpe made Sep 4 at 2015 9:16 AM

SGT Apollo Sharpe — Fri, 04 Sep 2015 09:16:03 -0400

Smart guns will never override dumb people.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 4 at 2015 9:36 AM

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 04 Sep 2015 09:36:33 -0400

I see a couple problems with the "smart gun technology" beside that which has all ready been discussed here regarding batteries and adding complexity to the system...

First is who would buy one, not me.

Second, is there a plan to retrofit all existing weapons that are in circulation?

The real problem is not the weapon/tool, but the mindset or culture. These well meaning measures only affect the law abiding citizen. The criminals and miscreants who perpetrate most of the violent crime in this country don't obey the laws we have on the books now, so what good would new legislation?

Response by SPC Elaine Brown made Sep 5 at 2015 7:53 AM

SPC Elaine Brown — Sat, 05 Sep 2015 07:53:39 -0400

Even with smart guns, there will be violence. People will find ways to circumvent the technology if they really want to use them. There are also other ways to commit violence as seen with ISIS. Fire in a crowded theater, knives, swords, homemade bombs. Criminals use guns now, but they also use other means too Even with smart guns, there will be violence. People will find ways to circumvent the technology if they really want to use them. There are also other ways to commit violence such as knives, swords, many tools, fire in a crowded theater, homemade bombs. Criminals use guns now, but they can and will use other means too. In addition with new technology there will be new ways to harm others maybe nanotechnology will be the future weapon. In addition as with many ideas, they seem to be a good at the time, but they don't always work out as planned.

Response by Capt Jeff S. made Sep 5 at 2015 8:02 AM

Capt Jeff S. — Sat, 05 Sep 2015 08:02:27 -0400

Just like you can hotwire a car, someone who knows what they are doing can modify a smart gun to fire. The only thing I see it possibly doing is preventing someone from taking your gun from you and using it on you in that encounter...

Response by LTC Erik Spike Thiesmeyer, Sr. made Sep 6 at 2015 12:58 AM

LTC Erik Spike Thiesmeyer, Sr. — Sun, 06 Sep 2015 00:58:10 -0400

No. It will never happen. "Smart Guns" are not even smart. They are foolish for all the reasons previously stated. Me head hurts from all the comments. At least 99% of them are right on target. Not like at the MSNBC website or Huffington Post.

Response by 2LT Scott Armstrong made Sep 7 at 2015 2:29 AM

2LT Scott Armstrong — Mon, 07 Sep 2015 02:29:20 -0400

Not commercially viable and a dumb person, criminal or careless, will find a way to do dumb things with it.

Response by SSG Trust Palmer made Sep 7 at 2015 9:58 PM

SSG Trust Palmer — Mon, 07 Sep 2015 21:58:43 -0400

Dumb people will out smart the gun. SSG James J. Palmer IV aka "JP4"

Response by CW3 Kevin Storm made Sep 8 at 2015 6:33 PM

CW3 Kevin Storm — Tue, 08 Sep 2015 18:33:37 -0400

Will the criminals use smart guns, will there be hackers who find ways around it? You bet. SO it is not going to be safe, just expensive.

Response by PO3 Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 28 at 2015 1:02 PM

PO3 Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 28 Sep 2015 13:02:58 -0400

no, it will only prevent my wife or my son to use my gun in a situation warranted to use to defend themselves. The whole idea of smart gun for the politician is to register gun to a single person, other can't use it. if it is an option that I add it and can program it myself, that would be same as a firearm access box right beside my bed, that will be fine. but what they are talking about is not like that.

Response by MSgt J D McKee made Dec 23 at 2015 9:37 AM

MSgt J D McKee — Wed, 23 Dec 2015 09:37:07 -0500

Somebody tried selling those already and got shut down. You know, there was a gas station put up one of those "don't bring your gun in here" signs in my small Alabama town. I know people who had been shopping at that store for 40 years who won't go in there now, even though he took the sign down in about a couple of months. I just ignore the stupid shit.

Response by MSgt Marvin Kinderknecht made Dec 27 at 2015 9:06 PM

MSgt Marvin Kinderknecht — Sun, 27 Dec 2015 21:06:18 -0500

Hell, it is like everything else. Somebody will eventually make them "dumb" guns.

Response by SGT William Howell made Dec 28 at 2015 9:58 AM

SGT William Howell — Mon, 28 Dec 2015 09:58:05 -0500

I like my guns like I like my women. Ready to go off in a seconds notice and I don't have to do anything to make that happen.

Response by 1stSgt Eugene Harless made Dec 30 at 2015 1:09 AM

1stSgt Eugene Harless — Wed, 30 Dec 2015 01:09:23 -0500

The entire "gun violence" argument is nothing more than a knee jerk attempt to settle a problem much deeper. Gun violence is simply people commiting violence using a tool that is effective. If you take away the tool the desire to commit violence is still there. People commit violence because of mental illness or because they have the attitude that they are entitled to take whatever they want by whatever means neccessary. This is because they lack common decency due to the effects of poor education, lack of morals and lack of positive family structure.
But, to address the question, bio-safe firearms are not foolproof, and mean nothing when they are millions of regular firearms avaliable.

Response by PO3 Donald Murphy made Jun 23 at 2016 11:34 PM

PO3 Donald Murphy — Thu, 23 Jun 2016 23:34:51 -0400

Smart guns don't equal smart people. The Orlando shooter legally purchased the gun/guns he used. He was legally sane when he purchased the guns. He was background checked so good, that he had a job for a high level security firm. Yet - in a fit of craziness, he killed many people. So what went wrong? Would a biometric gun have prevented the killing? No. The fingerprints would match, would they not? After all, its HIS gun. And his fingers on the trigger. So back to the drawing board!

What a biometric gun CANNOT promise is the ability to read your mind. It doesn't know if you're angry, hateful, unlawful, etc. All the biometrics in the world would not have stopped the shooting. No weapon can. Again - the guns are not ever the problem, nor their availability. Even if the waiting period was seven years thats no guarantee that on the 2556th day I won't snap and want to kill someone with my gun.

There are 425 million guns in the USA. Legal guns. Not law enforcement. Not military. Privately owned guns. The time to regulate or reign them in has passed. They are not going away any time soon. Its time to stop pretending theres an easy one-step fix. Put armed security everywhere. In schools, in libraries, in theaters, in cafe's, basically...everywhere. Make sure that armed, trained security are on hand. Had an armed security guard been in Stoneybrook, the result would have been different. Want proof? An armed school administrator in Pearl, MS, drew and shot a "Columbine wannabe."

"But that would give us an armed - fear based society." So? At least you'd be alive to complain, right?

Response by PO3 Donald Murphy made Jul 1 at 2016 9:32 AM

PO3 Donald Murphy — Fri, 01 Jul 2016 09:32:47 -0400

Response by SPC David Willis made Dec 14 at 2017 9:37 AM

SPC David Willis — Thu, 14 Dec 2017 09:37:54 -0500

If people want to buy smart guns more power to them. I always think its funny when supposedly hardcore 2A supporters want to ban a certain type of gun... I personally wont buy one, but if you have small kids who aren't familiar with guns it would be a great option for a readily accessible home defense firearm.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 22 at 2018 4:33 AM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 22 Jun 2018 04:33:08 -0400

Have smart pill bottles prevented Tylenol violence?

For those that do not understand, Tylenol (Acetaminophen/Paracetamol) is a drug of choice for suicide attempts where guns are more difficult to possess in England.

Never forget that suicides with guns are included in "Gun Violence" statistics. It is only fair to call other suicide attempts by similar names to show the true nature of the term. We should not forget, Neck Tie Violence, Rope Violence, Window/Balcony/Roof Violence, Vehicular Exhaust Violence, Thought Violence...

Response by CW3 Kevin Storm made Jun 22 at 2018 2:15 PM

CW3 Kevin Storm — Fri, 22 Jun 2018 14:15:59 -0400

After I cut your finger off, can the gun maker ensure it will keep the system safe? Doubt it. Can I hack into it? Most likely people will try and some will be successful. Currently bio metric gun safes have been easily defeated. No I don't think it fix much of anything.