Daniel Xu | February 20, 2014
Personalized handguns such as this Intelligun-equiped 1911 pistol, are designed to be capable of firing only when held by their owners.
Image screenshot of video by Kim Wallace on YouTube
United States Senator Edward J. Markey (D-MA) announced on Wednesday that he will be introducing a new bill called “The Handgun Trigger Safety Act.” The bill will require all handguns manufactured in the United States be fitted with technology that allows the firearm to only be fired by its owner. The Massachusetts lawmaker says these “personalized handguns” or “smart guns” will make it harder for stolen or otherwise illegally obtained firearms to be used in crimes.
“No one wants children to get access to a handgun and hurt themselves or others,” said Senator Markey in a press release. “In the 21st century, we should use advances in technology to our own advantage and save lives, and the Handgun Trigger Safety Act will help ensure that only authorized users can operate handguns. This is the type of gun safety legislation that everyone—regardless of political party or affiliation—should be able to support.”
Personalized guns and laws mandating their use are hardly new. Last year US Representative John Tierney (D-MA) introduced a similar bill after he saw demonstrations of smart gun technology firsthand.
“This technology was developed and exists, but in the past was shelved because of efforts of the powerful gun lobby,” Tierney said at the time. “This does not in any way restrict somebody’s ability to own a gun. It recognizes and honors the Second Amendment.”
Like the bill introduced by Tierney, The Handgun Trigger Safety Act would require firearm manufacturers to equip their guns with the technology within two years of the bill’s passage or face stiff penalties. Going further, Markey is pushing for all parties selling a handgun, whether an individual or a business, to retrofit the firearm before the gun can be sold. The bill also calls for the allocation of $10 million in research into gun violence.