Shots Fired At Bayonne Range Prove Smart Gun Technology Works

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2004/12/041219154600.htm

Date: 2004-12-27

Sixty people crowded last week into a small room at the Bayonne police firing range to witness smart gun technology. Donald H. Sebastian, senior vice president of research and development at New Jersey Institute of Technology (NJIT), stood near an oversized screen displaying a real-time video of an NJIT policeman shooting an experimental handgun in an adjacent indoor range. Although there was no applause as shots rang out, the action demonstrated that smart gun knew friend from foe.

Sixteen electronic computerized sensors embedded in the gun's grip distinguished known from unknown users. "We've only just begun and we're pleased to say that we're getting 90 percent reliability when scanning users," said Sebastian.

Since 1999, Sebastian has led the project based upon Dynamic Grip Recognition, a technology invented by Michael Recce, PhD, associate professor of information systems at NJIT. Since June of 2004, five members of the NJIT police force have been trained to use the test gun and be recognized. Ultimately computerized sensors in each gun will record data on dozens of known users while also blocking unauthorized users.

*snip*

Under New Jersey law, passed in Dec. 2002, only smart guns can be purchased in the state three years after personalized handguns become commercially available. Lautenberg said New Jersey's legislative effort to introduce smart gun technology should be a national model for the country. Once Congress returns to session next year, Lautenberg and Pascrell plan to introduce legislation modeled after New Jersey's law, so families across the country will be able to ensure that guns they own will not fall into the wrong hands.

*snip*

Another form of biometric--the dynamic biometric--depends on both physical markers and behavior. "This is about who you are and how you do something." said Sebastian. This biometric is the foundation of Dynamic Grip Recognition. The technology measures not only the size, strength and structure of a person's hand, but also the reflexive way in which the person acts. For smart gun, the observed actions are how the person squeezes something to produce a unique and measurable pattern. Embedded sensors in the experimental gun then can read and record the size and force of the users' hand during the first second when the trigger is squeezed.

*snip/more*
*******************

I wonder how the "Dynamic Grip Recognition" will respond to an in extremis grab at the firearm by an "authorized user" during an SHTF moment.

The "smart gun" platform will be based on that Metalstorm gun from Australia:

Also in 2003, NJIT signed an agreement with Metal Storm, which owns a patent for its Electronic Firing System that can be used in a handgun. Metal Storm's O'DwyerTM VLe® system is a unique, patented approach to firing projectiles. Entirely electronic, the system utilizes preloaded barrels holding multiple projectiles that are fired by electronic ignition. For the first time, interchangeable and multiple barrels can be made available to fire a range of projectiles of varying calibers from the same handgun.

new concept for several years before congress considers passing laws to make such designs mandatory. Oh, I forgot, include the FBI, Seals, and Green Berets in the field test.

to do the work of the FBI, the Navy Seals, and the Green Berets. Oh yeah, and all the cops too.

law. See the Constitution, Article I, Section 8, Clauses 15 and 16 as implemented by Title 10, Section 311

and bombs and pretending that they're part of some sort of private militia. All the while the NRA encourages their bizarre behavior...

I would think that this would be a form of "gun control" that everybody could support.
I read something about this technology about a year or so back. They addressed the question of how the guns would respond during a panic inspired grab by the authorized user. I'm not sure what the response was, but I do remember that they talked about it.

While we're on the subject of gun control, I'd like to see a requirement that triggers require a certain minimum foot pounds of force required to activate the trigger. A force that adults could exert, but not children would prevent unnecessary deaths like the one where the six year old shot the other six year old, that was referred to in Michael Moore's, "Bowling for Columbine". It would be easy enough to convert the guns back to a weak, or "hair" trigger if somebody was physically challenged in any way, and needed the modification. Otherwise, it would be nice to see a law that required all guns sold to meet that certain trigger force minimum.

(As in myself).

IIRC, the "smart gun" technology was originally developed for use by LEOs, (many cops that are shot are shot with their own sidearm), but surprise! The NJ law exempts LEOs from requiring handguns with the technology..

Even the VPC isn't very fond of the idea (although their objections are for entirely different reasons).

http://vpc.org/fact_sht/smartgun.htm

I'd like to see a requirement that triggers require a certain minimum foot pounds of force required to activate the trigger.

MA has a requirement like that... which I oppose (ever try and fire a target pistol with a heavy trigger pull?).

Not that it matters that much to me, all my handguns have a reduced or after market trigger job. Heaviest pull is around 4.5 lbs. Lightest about 2/2.5 lbs.

Your life on it but not mine.

because we're coming to take your guns away remember? Didn't you hear about Feinstein? Better learn to hunt squirrels with a sharp stick.

but on the fact that Feinstein hates all guns except hers(a bit of a hypocrite here eh) I will agree.

Just common sense. We don't leave our cars unlocked, with the keys in the ignition.
Why do the gun nuts insist that dangerous weapons be freely available to the first person that comes across them?

Why do the gun nuts insist that dangerous weapons be freely available to the first person that comes across them?

Here's where I keep all of my guns.



Before it was a dirty word like "liberal" has become for many I called myself a gun nut.

So, who are these "gun nuts" you refer to, why do you think they insist that dangerous weapons be "freely available to the first person that comes across them?", and what do you mean by that?

At least for handguns. It's seven pounds IIRC. The industry has done a lot to police itself in order to reduce their potential civil liability for selling defective products.

Make it much stiffer than that and you cause a serious degradation of accuracy. As you say it isn't much of a problem for people because any gun can be modified for a lighter trigger.

It only works 90% of the time under lab conditions.


I think the idea is great, but they need to make it more reliable like 9,999 out of 10,000.

Also, there need to be considerations for active jamming, etc.

The metalstorm system electronically ignites each round. What happends if such a firearm is hit by a taser, do all rounds ignite at once?

I surely hope that they have a goal of raising that number, although 90% of criminials not being able to use that gun is CLEAR progress. Today's "safety systems" allow 100% of criminals to shoot the gun, not just 10%.


Pretty soon, criminals looking for a gun that they can fire, will feel like they are looking for a pair of eyeglasses that work.

It is probably 100% against unauthorized users.

We just got a new timeclock at work that looks at the shape of the users hand. (So you can't punch out for someone else) It works 90% of the time for the right person, and 0% of the time for the wrong person (for the 20-30 times I tried)

:argh:

99% of the time?

'Smart' Guns: Dumb Idea!
BY CLIFF GROMER

Combining a handgun with a computer produces a firearm that, so far, has been less than 100 percent reliable.

At first blush it seems like a great idea. A gun that can determine if the person holding it is an authorized user. A smart gun that will fire only if it recognizes the shooter's thumbprint. Pretty neat. Homeowners would want it because it eliminates the danger of their kids or anyone else using it. The cops surely would want it, as it eliminates the danger of a bad guy getting ahold of their weapon and turning the tables. Then there's the problem of teenage suicides--most prevalent where there is easy access to guns, such as the homes of law officers. What's not to like?

New Jersey Gov. James McGreevey seems to like the idea. He signed bill S.573/890, which will ban the sale of dumb handguns--namely, all handguns that are currently available. The law goes into effect three years after "at least one manufacturer has delivered at least one production model of a personalized handgun to a registered or licensed wholesale or retail dealer in New Jersey or any other state." Exceptions to this sweeping legislation would be for antique and competition models. The law doesn't make for a total ban on handgun sales, but it comes pretty close. The law has a good chance of being a model for similar restrictions in other states".

http://popularmechanics.com/outdoors/firearms/2003/7/smart_guns">Complete article

The Linux gun will work much better. ;)

Honestly, now -- which is more likely fail first: the handful of relatively simple mechanical parts that make up the gun itself; or the more delicate system of sensors, processors, memory chips, electro-mechanical interfaces, and software and whatnot that the "smart gun" add-on likely consists of?

Which makes me wonder how well something like this would stand up to heavy use. Wouldn't each act of firing the gun tend to harm the lifespan of the add-on's components?

as the gun, you may need to replace the electronics for every 10,000 rounds fired or something, but I don't really see how you will get bio-metric data consistently enough to verify the user. It will have to be done by grip/hand shape, which can change depending on the shooters position.

I suppose if you put enough "slop" in your readings, you could get it to work consistently for the user, and half of the non-users.

mmmkay.

I see no problem with the technology being developed and individuals deciding whether or not it's appropriate for their situation.

requiring that handguns be sold with 'smart-gun' technology.

IIRC, after 2006, and the commercial availability of 'smart-gun' safety mechanisms, all handguns sold in NJ will have to have this.

The police are exempt from this law ... I can only suppose that the backers of the law are not convinced that this technology would be safe for the police.

That's the most intrusive back door registration I've come across.

kinds of other "smart" things. :eyes:

Jack you are right on. There are many questions about "smart" guns that have to be answered before I ever pick one up.

What is the fail-safe mode? Fire or no fire?

What can happen in high electrical field environments?

Who can control a "smart" gun remotely? (like that could ever happen)

But see
http://observer.guardian.co.uk/uk_news/story/0,6903,1111211,00.html
or
http://mb-soft.com/public/carchase.html
before you poo-poo that idea.

If your state ever proposes to enact stupid legislation requiring "smart" guns, immediately spend about $3000 and buy youself 10 identical Glocks. They'll work right out of the box the first time, and they don't have any power that can fail or be manipulated by others.

LD

oops, my bad, that was Bayonne range

are willing to stake their lives on so-called "smart" guns, I'll give them a try. Until then, I will stick with my old-fashioned guns and supply the "smarts" myself. The only essential thing is a gun that will go "bang" every time I load it and pull the trigger.

I won't even buy a defensive handgun with a magazine disconnect "safety." Why do I want a defensive handgun that will be unable to fire while I'm performing a tactical reload? The new Ruger P345 handgun looks and feels great, but I won't buy one because they saddled it with a non-optional magazine disconnect.

They've been working on this for more than 20 years now. The best they've come up with was a revolver that was activated by the wearers ring. That worked most of the time. It didn't work all the time. seems that if you banged your hand around a little bit the ring wouldn't work. Flash-bang grenedes killed them every time.


If one of my firearms fails, It gets immediate attention. I diagnose the problem and fix it. I have been through a few "armed encounters" and a firearm must work first time, every time.

...if this would make guns safe enough that I could leave one out on my night stand or end table by the sofa without fear of a child or adult playing with it and without worrying about someone stealing it and using it to commit another crime.

In principle, this technology could be awesome for home defense and safety. Quick access and safety are too often mutually exclusive.

...if this would make guns safe enough that I could leave one out on my night stand or end table by the sofa without fear of a child or adult playing with it and without worrying about someone stealing it and using it to commit another crime.

<rant on>

Not just No but NO FUCKING WAY!!!

You must NEVER rely on ANY mechanical safety device to prevent unauthorized use or a negligent discharge. Mechanical devices can FAIL, and they can be DEFEATED.

The rules of safe firearm handling will ALWAYS be in effect.

You MUST keep your weapons under your control and out of the hands of unqualified people AT ALL TIMES.

The ONLY safety device that really matters is the one between your ears.

<rant off>

"Also in 2003, NJIT signed an agreement with Metal Storm, which owns a patent for its Electronic Firing System that can be used in a handgun. Metal Storm's O'DwyerTM VLe® system is a unique, patented approach to firing projectiles. Entirely electronic, the system utilizes preloaded barrels holding multiple projectiles that are fired by electronic ignition. For the first time, interchangeable and multiple barrels can be made available to fire a range of projectiles of varying calibers from the same handgun."

Some things the article doesn't mention, but I wonder about...

The Metal Storm gun can only be reloaded by changing the barrel, which IIRC holds only seven rounds. You can't purchase additional ammunition at the store; the barrel will have to be shipped back to the manufacturer to be reloaded with seven more rounds. Shooting this gun will be EXPENSIVE. How expensive? If a shooter goes through even a hundred rounds a month, how much will that cost?

How quickly can the gun be reloaded under stress?

Not only can the system be defeated by someone who hacks the software, but the gun could be turned into a burst-mode or full-auto firearm simply by hacking the software. That could make the system run afoul of the National Firearms Act unless a LOT of safeguards are taken (i.e., it is going to have to be a lot harder to convert than just changing an EPROM or placing a dozen or so jumpers for it to be legal). How will this be done?

How difficult would it be for a person with electronics skills to simply bypass the ID verification portion of the ignition circuitry?

How quickly does it recognize the authorized user? LEO studies have indicated that 1/4 second is the MAXIMUM acceptable delay in a defensive firearm, with closer to 1/10 second being preferable.

Will the system recognize a user with an injured hand, a hand with a band-aid on a finger, wet hands, or a hand that is bleeding? If grip recognition is used, how will the gun account for the difference between the initial gun store grip and the adrenaline-charged-life-or-death-crisis grip?

How easily will the user be able to add other authorized users? If my wife wants to let me try out her handgun, will she have to go to an authorized gun dealer to have me added to the list? What if I want to give my son target shooting lessons at a shooting range--will I be able to temporarily add him, then delete him after the range session? How many people can be authorized to use the same gun?

Are the electronics tolerant of wide temperature swings (below zero to above 150 fahrenheit? Is the system drop-tolerant, immersion tolerant, and ESD tolerant? Can the system be disabled by a close-range electromagnetic pulse generator or similar electronic device?

Assuming a minimum 99.99% overall system reliability under real-world conditions, how serious is the failure mode when it does occur?

How much will the system increase the purchase price of the average handgun? How much will the overall life-cycle cost increase?

These are a lot of the questions that will need to be answered in the next few years before the technology is even close to being market-ready. Unless, of course, the point is simply to outlaw conventional handguns, in which case the goal will have been attained regardless of whether the "smart gun" is a dud or not...

But to date they have zero products on the market.

Interesting company, but all of their stuff would be of limited usefulness.

BTW - Their weapons with high firing rates would be regulated in the US by the National Firearms Act as "machineguns" and not available for importation for the civilian market.