Smith & Wesson signs technology deal
Smith & Wesson Corp., a subsidiary of Scottsdale-based Saf-T-Hammer Corp., today announced a partnership with the New Jersey Institute of Technology to incorporate the school's biometric identification technology into prototype "Authorized-User-Only" handguns.

Biometrics are automated methods of recognizing a person based on a physiological or behavioral characteristic, such as fingerprints, speech, face, handwriting, etc.

According to a company press release, Smith & Wesson has been working on the concept of an authorized-user-only gun since the early 1990s, but has tried and discarded a number of technologies.

"The application of technology to produce an Authorized-User-Only firearm cannot compromise the product," said Kevin Foley, vice president of research and development. "Such a gun must be as reliable as current handguns. It must deliver features that a gun owner desires and it must be affordable. Ideally, it should function instantaneously in a manner transparent to the user."

According to Smith & Wesson officials, the company was the first to include locks with every handgun, and it currently offers integral locks with its line of revolvers.

Is there a link for this article?

I would only consider buying such a handgun AFTER THE COPS USED THEM.

(http://phoenix.bcentral.com/phoenix/stories/2001/08/13/daily48.html)

[url]http://www.ar15.com/forums/topic.html?id=45731[/url]

I believe that some of us won't have a choice in 2002.  I think in Calif because of SB15(?) which mandates only authorized individuals may fire a gun, this will be the only ones we will be able to buy.

These dummies may as well be looking for the fountain of youth.

High tech MEANS high failure rate. Which means dead people. EXCEPT for the criminals, who will CONTINUE to use illegally obtained, "low tech" reliable Smith and Wesson .38 revolvers.

Stupid technology.  I won't buy them    (period)

Let say you and your buddy are at a shooting range having fun.  He put his guns away and is watching you shoot.  All of a sudden,  a group of people start to shoot at you.  You have a couple handguns and AR's but only YOU can fire back at the bad guys.  You buddy can't do squat.  Screw that.

If there is some electronic/biometric way to have a handgun work...  There is an electronic/biometric way to make it NOT work.