Smart weapons: manufacturer promises gun that only fires after identifying shooter

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Handgun that should arrive in the US in 2024 confirms identity by facial recognition or fingerprint. For a researcher on violence, the product can reduce accidental shootings and gun thefts, but it is not a definitive solution. Biofire’s smart gun uses a digital reader and facial recognition sensor to identify whether the shooter is an authorized person Disclosure / Biofire The United States should become, in early 2024, the first destination for a batch of pistols that can only be fired by their owners or by people registered by them. The deadline was announced by Biofire, which developed a model of “smart gun” (or smart gun) and placed the product on exclusive pre-sales for the American market. A weapon is considered intelligent when it has mechanisms to prevent shots being made by unauthorized persons. In the case of Biofire, it is a 9 mm (millimeter) pistol that, in theory, can only be unlocked after the user’s identity is confirmed by facial recognition or fingerprint. Other manufacturers prepare similar products: LodeStar Works intends to use a digital reader and a cell phone application to unlock the weapon, while SmartGunz wants to do this with a ring that must be used by the shooter. In the past, companies such as Colt and Armatix have introduced weapons that would only unlock if the shooter was wearing a matching bracelet or watch. But the projects did not advance this type of product. Smart guns have protection against unauthorized use Arte/g1 Restrictions on weapons are positive and can help reduce accidental shootings and gun thefts, but should not be seen as a definitive solution to questions about violence, says the manager of the Sou da Paz Institute , Bruno Langeani. “This type of product has great potential, especially for home users with children or teenagers at home, to reduce the risk of unauthorized access”, said Bruno to g1. Data from the Ministry of Health compiled by the Sou da Paz Institute outline the scenario of firearm accidents in Brazil: 229 deaths in 2021 (1,376 in the five-year period between 2017 and 2021) 2,598 people hospitalized in 2021 (16,047 between 2017 and 2021 ) “What this technology does not respond to is the violence practiced by the owner of the weapon. We know that, unfortunately, many people buy it saying it is to defend themselves, but, the moment they lose their mind, they use that weapon to commit a crime. tragedy”. How car thieves are turning into ‘hackers’ to steal more modern models How does it work? Biofire says that facial recognition verification on its gun is done through an infrared sensor that sits on the back of the smart gun. The fingerprint is analyzed by a reader on the handle of the weapon. The company’s website says that the sensors can identify the person even if they are wearing gloves or a mask, but does not detail how this happens. The g1 contacted the manufacturer, but had no response. Still according to the brand, the weapon is automatically blocked when it leaves the hands of an authorized person. The shooter can authorize other people to use the weapon by connecting it to the Smart Dock, a device through which biometrics are registered. Biofire claims that the data is stored in the weapon and cannot be accessed by anyone. See safety tips on car trips Biofire uses a device called Smart Dock to manage people authorized to use your smart weapon Disclosure/Biofire Is it safe? A more technological weapon also requires more attention to safety. In 2017, a hacker used magnets to prove it was possible to prevent Armatix’s IP1 smart gun from jamming. Biofire claims that its weapon does not connect to the internet and therefore cannot be controlled remotely. The company also says that, although the Smart Dock is able to connect to the network, this connection is optional and only serves to receive updates. How much does it cost? The guns of the first batch of the revolver, which Biofire promises to deliver in early 2024, sold out and were sold for US$ 1,899 (about R$ 9,400, at the price of August 22) each. From the second batch, each unit costs US$ 1,499 (R$ 7,400). LodeStar Works plans to sell its smart weapon for $895 each, according to Reuters. SmartGunz has already announced that its will cost US$ 2,195 (R$ 10,800). None of them are available to the public. “The challenge is that it is still a very expensive technology. We need to keep insisting on other cheaper mechanisms for safe keeping, such as safes, and show that there are alternatives for homeowners not to run the risk of having a fatal accident inside their home ’ says Langeani. The researcher understands that this is a point that should have been included in the rules on weapons in Brazil. “Currently, in the weapons decree, there is no explicit provision for a safe or similar equipment for safe keeping”, he explains. Biofire pistol should start being delivered in the United States from the 1st quarter of 2024 Disclosure/Biofire What about conventional weapons? In the United States, governments are discussing specific rules about smart guns. In New Jersey, for example, gun stores are required to sell these types of guns if there is a request from the manufacturers. But there are no guarantees that they will really take over the market. Biofire itself says it’s against the New Jersey rule and says it won’t ask to be sold at every gun store in the state. The company also states that it will fight against future proposals in this regard. “We are proud of the smart gun we have developed and believe it will be an important part of many families’ home defense strategy, but we understand that everyone should have the right to choose the firearm that meets their needs”, says the manufacturer. Langeani, from the Sou da Paz Institute, says that it is desirable to have rules that make stores make smart guns available, but warns that this type of product is not a miracle recipe for problems with weapons. “The greatest tool is legislation that obliges the interested party to opt for some security mechanism, which could be a regular weapon with a safe or a smart gun”. READ ALSO: Information security has a salary of R$ 38 thousand; see how to enter Silence calls, video messages and more: the latest WhatsApp updates How to choose a secure password Smart gun by Biofire should start delivering in early 2024

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