After a long period of delays and delays, it appears that the first smart guns will be out for commercial distribution in the US as early as this year, according to two manufacturers documenting to launch their advanced weapons during 2022.
Illustration of Lodstar's LS9 model, Photo: LodeStar
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It is important to emphasize that "smart guns" do not launch laser beams nor are they equipped with artificial intelligence to fight for you.
These are actually tools that make use of advanced security systems, such as fingerprint scanners and radio waves, to identify their rightful owners and allow only them to fire guns.
In this way it will be possible to reduce the recurrence of tragic cases resulting from gun play by children who found their parents' gun, and of course cases of theft and illegal trade.
In other words, the "wisdom" of these guns focuses on the preventative side, not the offensive side.
First demonstration of Ludstar's smart gun, Photo: REUTERS
The two companies preparing to launch during the current year are LodeStar and Smartgunz.
Ludstar's smart gun, an LS9 tool that is expected to cost about $ 900, boasts a fingerprint recognition system, a built-in chip that communicates with a dedicated smartphone app (to make sure the smartphone owner, who also owns the gun, is around), and a physical code typing pad. As a backup in case the gun gets wet and the other identification systems cannot be used.
SmartGans, however, reported that its prevention systems focus on radio waves that detect the owner's personal belongings such as watches and rings in which a special chip will be installed, and allow the gun to operate only in close proximity to them, and only when gripped tightly.
Its flagship pistol, the 1911 Sentry, is priced at $ 1,795.
The idea of the smart gun came up about two decades ago, but failed to advance beyond the prototype stages for various reasons, both technological and political and social.
A technological difficulty arose when a few years ago, a hacker named Plore managed to hack a prototype of a smart gun with the help of a few simple magnets and neutralize his defense systems.
On the socio-political side, organizations that promote and preserve gun rights like the NRA have argued that the new guns could restrict their freedom, and even threatened to boycott arms companies that planned to produce smart tools.
However, it seems that 2022 is the year that the smart gun manufacturers have put between their intentions.
Days will tell if they will indeed hit the target.
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