US government releases proposed guidelines for smart guns

The biggest difference that the proposed smart gun would have from regular firearms is the addition of a so-called “security device.” This is designed to prevent unauthorized use by disabling the firing system unless when in control of identified users, and has to meet an exhaustive list of requirements (at least, in this draft proposal).

The security device is to be a permanent part of the pistol, but can include externally worn items such as rings, wristbands or tokens. More than one person can be programmed to operate the gun, and the security device must not alter the normal operation of grasping and firing the pistol, nor increase the time needed to grab, draw from a holster and fire the weapon.

If electromagnetic interference may affect the security device, countermeasure detection tech must also be installed to allow the user to fire the gun “when an attempt to block the authorization process is detected.”

The security device must covertly inform the operator when the gun is ready to fire, and if it uses batteries, the batteries may be rechargeable, but must be replaceable. And if power is running low, the security device must warn the user with sufficient time to safely take action. Finally, if the security device malfunctions, it must default to a state to allow the pistol to fire, and should be designed to be easy to reset or disengage in such cases.

Although the proposed requirements seem pretty comprehensive, plenty of loopholes could arise, especially in case of interference or malfunction. This is why the public input stage is important, and the NIJ is soliciting input from people ranging from advocates and academics to entrepreneurs.

In August, the National Institute of Justice (NIJ) will hold a two-day “convening of federal, state and local law enforcement agencies” to review and discuss the proposed specs. After that, the Department of Justic and Department of Homeland Security will revise the guidelines before finalizing the document for publication.

After publication, the specs are meant to provide guidance to the private industry for manufacturers to develop weapons that meet law enforcers’ needs. The document is not a mandate that individuals or law enforcement agencies must use the new technology when it’s developed. Still, it’s nice to see the authorities make strides towards President Obama’s goal of developing advanced gun safety technology.