In March (below), a question was raised by me: Are smart guns ready to take the world by storm? It’s amazing to see how much can happen in a matter of months. Smart guns are now mainstream, regardless of whether they are ready.
Smart Guns Set to Be Mainstream
Biofire Technologies raised $14 million in a series-A funding round. Now, the company is ready to take its biometric guns to a new stage. Biofire Technologies was able to convince Founders Fund, an investor who had previously been against the idea.
BiometricUpdate.com’s Founder Fund Partner Trae Stevens says, “I have previously stated that Smart Gun technology is not investable – that it would require’multiple miracles to bring this product on the market. I have been changed by the Biofire team. We need innovative solutions to combat firearm violence. Their technology has the potential for firearm safety transformation.
Gaingels, 10X Capital, Will Manidis, Draper Associates, Structure Capital and Service Provider Capital are all joining Founders Fund.
Kai Kloepfer is the founder and CEO of Biofire. He believes that they have created a reliable biometric handgun using state-of the-art authentication technology.
We will soon find out, as the company is planning a commercial launch for 2023. BiometricUpdate.com reports that the launch is supported by law enforcement and private security partners.
We will keep you informed as the technology advances and we will keep an eye on it once it goes into production.
PDW reported the following on March 14, 2022:
Like many others, I have been using smartphones and computers for many years. I can tell you one thing: I have yet to find a computer that isn’t glitchy. Every phone and computer I’ve ever owned has had problems at the worst possible times. I don’t think I would be comfortable with that happening to my firearm. However, smart guns are now available in the US.
Smart Guns Coming to the USA
Imagine it. It’s the middle of the night and you hear glass breaking. You are aware that someone is breaking into your home and you have to act quickly. Your spouse dials 911, while you reach for your pistol. User not recognized
They don’t talk, of course. Yet. The principle is the same. Your main point of access should not fail when seconds count. It is counterproductive to try and figure out which access method they are using during a break in, even though they may be working on several methods.
According to The Hill, “LodeStar hopes to revolutionize industry with technology through LS9, a 9mm pistol that incorporates fingerprint or facial technology, radio frequency ID (RFID), and a PIN pad [embedded in the grip].”
However, I don’t see any “features” in this list. I only see a list that could go wrong. All of these entry methods, except for the PIN pad are hackable. I don’t even know how to power them. Is it necessary to charge them? Do they have a rechargeable battery?
Security concerns
A Reuters report states that “most early smart gun prototypes used fingerprint unlocking or radio frequency ID technology that enables gun to fire only when a gun chip communicates with another chip in a bracelet or ring.”
Predictably, early attempts proved unsuccessful and presented new problems such as hackers.
According to the report, “In 2014, German firm Armatix put a smart,.22 caliber pistol on sale. However, hackers discovered a way for hackers to remotely jam the gun’s radio signals and use magnets to fire the gun when it should be locked.”
Hacking caused Armatix iP1 to be a short-lived product. (Photo by MSNBC Twitter).
They are still working on reliable platforms and even stated that the “microelectronics” inside the gun are well-protected.
Smarter computers do not make better hackers. If someone is determined to gain access to your firearm, they will find it. It won’t take long for instructions to be available online, thanks to all the information on the internet.
Regulation by the Government
The government must be involved in all things, just like any other thing. This is especially true for firearms and their regulation.
According to Reuters, “Guns coming on the market could trigger a 2019 New Jersey Law requiring all gun shops to sell smart guns once they become available.” The 2019 law replaces a 2002 law which would have prohibited the sale of handguns other than smart guns.
Biden’s campaign website states that the same applies to America. “Put America back on the path to ensuring 100% of firearms sold here are smart guns.”
I find it hard not to be concerned when the government pushes smart guns. There is a good chance that they have ulterior motives. It has little to do the public safety, as I have learned over the years. Most likely, there is some additional control.
It is unlikely that smart guns will be outlawed by the government without government access. If the government considers you a threat, they will be able to close your firearm access. You didn’t pay the annual gun ownership fee. Shut down. Etc.
It is alarming to think of the possibility of illegitimate government intervention. I don’t know if you’re a fan, but I’ll keep my dumb gun, thanks.
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Smart Guns are Coming to the USA, But Are They Ready for Prime Time Yet? Personal Defense World was the first to publish this article.
