The Biofire Smart Gun

The Constitution of our country clearly states that owning a gun is a constitutional right. This right (and many others) comes with personal responsibility. A firearm can save your life and the lives of your loved ones. However, in the wrong hands, it can be deadly. Biofire’s new “Smart Gun” is a viable alternative to a defensive handgun for those who feel the need to protect their home. I was able to take a video tour of the new Biofire Smart Gun, with the CEO of the company, to see the features. I haven’t had the chance to hold the gun yet. I have a date set for later this summer and will write a follow-up piece when I do. The Biofire Smart Gun is a semi-automatic that uses biometric technology. It’s a combination of fingerprint recognition and 3D infrared facial recognition. As reported, the Smart Gun will not fire unless it meets these biometric barriers. The Smart Gun is unlocked by the first person to verify (fingerprints or facial recognition) that the data in the gun matches the input of the person using it. The Smart Gun is a great product for the home. Biofire doesn’t support any kind of mandate that would push this type of technology to law. This first Biofire Smart Gun is not likely to be used as a concealed carry gun because it’s too bulky. However, it’s perfect for the home. The Smart Gun’s profile demonstrates that it is not easy to cram reliable fingerprint and face recognition technology into a handgun with a 10-or 15-round capacity. The area beneath the muzzle and behind the trigger guard is quite large. The Biofire Smart Gun weighs 2.2 pounds despite all the technology. It is available in left- or right-hand configurations. The fingerprint sensor is located where the middle fingers of the shooter’s dominant hand naturally rest. The rear of the gun has a small screen which serves as a status indicator, and also houses the facial recognition system. The Smart Gun’s sensors begin searching for your fingerprints and face as soon as you enroll your biometrics through the Smart Dock. A flashing white light will indicate that the tech is searching for biometrics, though it only takes milliseconds. The display color can also be customized. The gun has non-adjustable sights, while the front sight is illuminated by an LED. The gun has a red laser sight on the right side, which can be turned off by the user. There are also toggle switches for on/off on both sides. Biofire changed the Smart Gun’s mechanics in several places to fit all of that technology in the smallest footprint. This includes using a barrel-concentric spring and a trigger which is not mechanically attached to the sear. Biofire uses an electronic trigger system called “Fire by Wire”. The Biofire team has tested this system repeatedly and it has always performed flawlessly. The trigger has a flat-shoe design with a small safety blade at the center. This is similar to the Savage AccuTrigger. This design not only increases accuracy, but also provides an additional measure of safety. The gun and magazine can both be loaded and unloaded, but the Smart Gun cannot fire without first being unlocked by biometrics. Drop the gun and it will be locked in the time that it takes for the gun to fall. The Smart Dock stores no biometric or user data, maintaining the privacy of the purchaser. The Smart Dock does not store any biometric data or user information, ensuring the privacy of purchasers. Biofire also ensures that no one other than the owner can turn off the Smart Gun. Customers can choose from a variety of colors, including Tactical Black and Orbital white, as well as Dark Terra, Grey and Burnt Copper. For some, the electronic safety system will not be a good fit for a personal defense weapon. The Biofire Smart Gun has proven to be effective, but it is still a gun, and it must be handled with care and respect. The Smart Gun could be the answer to all of my worries about firearms in the house. It will reduce muzzle jump and allow the shooter more time to return to target. Kai Kloepfer is the CEO and founder of Biofire. He demonstrated the features of the gun, including how quickly it locks and unlocks. I was impressed. “Phil, this project has been in development for over a year, and it has gone through many iterations.” I think we’ve nailed it now,” Kloepfer said. Just as shooters who grew up with muzzleloading guns were skeptical of the “new-fangled” cartridge guns, and those who used a Colt Single Action Army revolver or cap-and-ball pistol looked at the early autoloading gun designs – including our revered 1911 – people will raise an eyebrow when they see the Biofire Smart Gun. I was, and I’m still impressed by the features. The Biofire is a full-figured woman, but it’s not that different from a sidearm adorned with a light on a rail or a red dot. It’s not the best choice for everyday carry, unless you like to wear flowing robes that hide its 8-inch length. But at home, it makes sense. It’s a full-size gun with a 5-inch barrel, a good aiming mechanism, chambered for a cartridge that has been proven to be effective for self-defense, and fully customizable in terms of feel and look. There are some concerns about the Biofire smart gun. The gun can be unlocked by only one of the biometric safety features. Even if you were to lose your ability to use your hand, facial recognition would still let you use your gun. Will water affect the sensor’s functionality? What if I wear gloves? Again, facial recognition will take control. Does facial recognition work if the shooter wears glasses? Yes, according to the video segments that I’ve seen. I’d like to test it myself. I have heard that there are electronic components on the gun, and this is a valid concern. I asked Kloepfer whether he had ever experienced any problems with cleaning agents or solvents seeping into the electronics and wiring. He said that this has never been an issue. I immediately thought of a house full of children, but also a situation where an elderly person could try to defend himself with a handgun only to have it taken from them and used against him. The Biofire is a weapon that an attacker can take, but not use against its owner. The Biofire is another option for those who want to add an extra layer of security. I can hear the Karens wailing away in the distance demanding that all guns be equipped with this technology. To them, I say a resounding no. I would even go as far as to say, f**k no. Mr. Kloepfer felt the same way, and we both agreed that Biofire technology was a choice. However, neither of us would give up our 1911, S&W J Frame, or Glock anytime in the near future. Here is Biofire’s official statement on mandates. The New Jersey Childproof Handgun Law, which was passed in 2002, was repealed by the state in 2019. No other state has proposed legislation of this kind. Biofire agrees with firearm owners who believe that the New Jersey mandate is counterproductive to goals related to child safety and directly violates the Second Amendment rights. Loretta Weinburg was one of the legislators who pushed for the original mandate. She openly admitted that the law she had argued for backfired and stifled advances in firearms safety instead of bringing those to life. We believe that our Smart Gun is a choice and not a necessity, a mandate or a requirement. Biofire, despite not being aware of any political discussions about smart gun mandatory legislation, will be the first to fight any future mandate. The New Jersey mandate was detrimental to innovation in almost every way possible. It hampered investment in our technology, aggravated our customers, and distracted public attention from meaningful discussions about innovation in the firearm safety industry. We may have been able offer our Smart Gun years ago if that mandate had never been in place. The idea of mandating the use of smart gun technology is totally antithetical to Biofire as a company that was founded by firearm owners. The idea of forcing gun owners to buy a certain type of firearm is against our fundamental values as a company of firearm owners. To find out more about smartgun.com.More on Home Defense:NEXT STEP: Download Your Free Storm Tactical Printing Target Pack62 Printable MOA targets with DOT drills – Rifle range in YARDSThis impressive pack from our friends Storm Tactical includes 62 printable targets for rifle and handgun ranges. The target grids and bullseye size are in MOA. Subscribe to the Gun Digest newsletter and we will send you your print-at home target pack immediately. Enter your email below.