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New iP1 Pistol May Trigger Old Gun Law in New Jersey (WSJ)
A law that injects technology into the gun debate has lain dormant for more than 10 years. Now it may be about to wake up.
In 2002, New Jersey passed a law saying that once technology is available to prevent a gun from being used by an unauthorized person, only that type of handgun may be sold in the state.
Now, a German company, Armatix GmbH, is close to putting the first such "personalized" handgun on U.S. shelves. The model, called the iP1 Pistol, can be set up to fire only when its owner is wearing a special watch that communicates with the gun.
--- Snip ---
The iP1 Pistol will cost $1,399 and the watch an additional $399, Armatix said. That is a significant premium over a Glock or Smith & Wesson Holding Corp. handgun, which costs in the range of $400 to $500.
--- Snip ---
http://online.wsj.com/news/articles/SB10001424052702303755504579208602749375392
In 2002, New Jersey passed a law saying that once technology is available to prevent a gun from being used by an unauthorized person, only that type of handgun may be sold in the state.
Now, a German company, Armatix GmbH, is close to putting the first such "personalized" handgun on U.S. shelves. The model, called the iP1 Pistol, can be set up to fire only when its owner is wearing a special watch that communicates with the gun.
--- Snip ---
The iP1 Pistol will cost $1,399 and the watch an additional $399, Armatix said. That is a significant premium over a Glock or Smith & Wesson Holding Corp. handgun, which costs in the range of $400 to $500.
--- Snip ---
http://online.wsj.com/news/articles/SB10001424052702303755504579208602749375392
And from SFGate earlier this year:
Personalized guns touted as safety check
--- Snip ---
The guns could be used only by their owner, who in some cases would have to wear a special watch or ring to be able to fire the weapon. The firearms could be configured to allow for multiple users, such as family members.
--- Snip ---
Many gun owners oppose them, saying they fear the technology will fail them in a pinch. A major gun control group, the Violence Policy Center in Washington, D.C., also opposes the idea, arguing that personalized technology would save few lives, distract from more important efforts, and give a false impression that guns are safe, perhaps driving new sales.
--- Snip ---
...advocates say they would expect the technology to save some of the more than 30,000 people who die from gunfire in the United States each year.
Government figures show firearm accidents killed 851 people in 2011. Meanwhile, hundreds of thousands of guns are taken each year in burglaries, which are one of the prime sources of weapons used in murders and other crimes.
--- Snip ---
http://www.sfgate.com/nation/article/Personalized-guns-touted-as-safety-check-4323902.php
--- Snip ---
The guns could be used only by their owner, who in some cases would have to wear a special watch or ring to be able to fire the weapon. The firearms could be configured to allow for multiple users, such as family members.
--- Snip ---
Many gun owners oppose them, saying they fear the technology will fail them in a pinch. A major gun control group, the Violence Policy Center in Washington, D.C., also opposes the idea, arguing that personalized technology would save few lives, distract from more important efforts, and give a false impression that guns are safe, perhaps driving new sales.
--- Snip ---
...advocates say they would expect the technology to save some of the more than 30,000 people who die from gunfire in the United States each year.
Government figures show firearm accidents killed 851 people in 2011. Meanwhile, hundreds of thousands of guns are taken each year in burglaries, which are one of the prime sources of weapons used in murders and other crimes.
--- Snip ---
http://www.sfgate.com/nation/article/Personalized-guns-touted-as-safety-check-4323902.php
I'm sorry, but that ugly watch is a deal-breaker...
7 replies
= new reply since forum marked as read
= new reply since forum marked as read
police are probably more at risk than anyone have having their firearms taken away and used against them, and there have been several cases recently of a police officer's child being killed/injured by am improperly-stored firearm. If the technology is genuinely reliable, police ought to welcome the opportunity to use it, right? 
A product without a practical use fitting a law without a practical purpose.
