44.493 Issues in Criminal Justice Technology & Security

home > unit 7: alternative weaponry

As we've seen in our discussion of tasers, there have been efforts for many years to create alternative, less-lethal weapons, as well as to develop new variations on existing ones. Can these weapons really reduce the level of deadly force, and/or do they introduce a variety of new problems?

• smart guns
• less lethal weapons
• body armor

Arguments for the "smart" gun:

• could keep criminals from using guns stolen from police or licensed gun owners
• could keep children from using guns

Arguments against the "smart" gun:

• it it isn't easy to use, especially in a crisis, no one will use it
• may not be usable immediately
• may not be reliable, especially under adverse conditions
• may be too costly for some people to afford

There are several alternative smart gun technologies:

• "Dynamic Grip Recognition"
  multiple small electronic sensors are embedded in both sides of a gun's handle to identify the user
• Fulton Arms' system has a magnetic ring that the owner wears: when s/he hold the run, the ring lines up with a sensor in the grip and sends it an electronic signal (not sure if this ever went into production
• O'Dwyer VLe, claimed to be "world's first totally electronic handgun live firing prototype: no mechanical moving parts

Rep. William Pascrell, D-N.J. has filed a bill that would require all new handguns to have "smart" technology within five years if experts deem the technology feasible (would exempt police). Bill asks for the Comptroller General of the United States to issue a comprehensive report to Congress on the feasibility of personalized technology within two years of passage. If the report determines that such technology is not practicable at that time, the requirements on manufacturers would be dropped.

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