New Jersey becomes first state to require 'smart guns'

New Jersey Online ^ | 12/23/02 1:14 PM | PETER SAHARKO

[bvw]

TRENTON, N.J. (AP) -- New Jersey has become the first state in nation to enact a law requiring all new handguns sold to have a mechanism that allows only their owners to fire them.

Gov. James E. McGreevey signed a bill Monday requiring "smart gun" technology, but the requirement will not go into effect immediately because the technology is still under development and it could be years before it becomes a reality.

"This is common sense legislation. There are safety regulations on cars, on toys. It's clearly time we have safety regulations on handguns," McGreevey said at Monday's signing ceremony.

The New Jersey Institute of Technology is developing a smart gun prototype that would use sensors on the pistol grip to identify a user.

The owner would have his grip programmed at a gun shop or police range by practice-firing the weapon. A microchip in the weapon would remember the grip and determine in an instant whether the authorized user was holding the weapon. If not, the gun would not fire.

Under the New Jersey law, the technology will be required in all new handguns sold three years after the state attorney general determines a smart gun prototype is safe and commercially available.

Supporters say the law will help prevent accidental gun deaths and suicides.

But opponents argued that it makes little sense to legislate about a technology that does not yet exist and have raised questions about its reliability.

"No technology is foolproof," said Nancy Ross, spokeswoman for the Association of New Jersey Rifle and Pistol Clubs. "Anyone who has a computer knows how many times it crashes."

[Mo1]

That's assinine...think your grip will be the same at the gun shop as when yer jacked on adrenaline in the middle of the night?

My guess it will work as good as those techno pets I bought last year for my kids

They are suppose to be program with their voice .. problem was it had to be the same tone everytime they used it ..

To make a long story short .. they spent ALL christmas day yelling at the dang thing and it would never work

[prophetic]

I guess that for the 'smart gun' they would have a special type of 'battery' and before you know it the Govt would control just how much batteries you could own and invent all sorts of new regualtions, fees and licensing schemes in this newly awarded 'govt gun control scheme'.

[coloradan]

Supporters say the law will help prevent accidental gun deaths and suicides.

I'm sorry, could someone please enlighten me how such technology could be used to stop suicides? Suicides are when the gun owner shoots himself, which the so-called "smart" gun will allow.

With respect to suicides that occur from when someone tries to use another person's gun, the fact that the gun doesn't go off won't stop the suicide - it will only stop the gun suicide. Someone who seriously intends to die will still find a way to do so.

[coloradan]

More idiocy from NJ.

[cryptical]

My sister is a Assistant County Atty in MN. They have a program with local retailers to report "suspicious" purchases of a list of meth precursors, including lithium batteries.

They've actually made some good busts based on people buying two or more of the items on the list.

I'm not sure what the batteries are used for, I guess that
there's a recipe somewhere on the net that requires them.

[balrog666]

OK .. they passed a law for a technology that doesn't exist?? Oh sure that makes sense

Isn't that what they did with the "V-chip"?

[Anchoragite]

"Now, just hold on there, Mr. Grizzly Bear... it's a little cold out and I have to get my gloves off first.... Now, Damn, frost on the optical sensor. Just wait a second Mr. Bear, I'll get this darned thing working yet. Let me breathe on it a little to see if that will... Darn, frosted up more. Now just wait...."

[Sparta]

Did McGreedy say how much this was going to cost and how much is his cut? What's McGreedy's other benefits for this?

[jjm2111]

"This is common sense legislation. There are safety regulations on cars, on toys. It's clearly time we have safety regulations on handguns," McGreevey said at Monday's signing ceremony.

"In fact," McGreevey continued, "I am looking forward to signing another bill that mandates the use of anti-gravity force shield positron, uhh... thingys that will severely reduce the chances for death or injury in auto collisions. And y'all are invited to a party on the taxpayer dime, I mean my dime."

[bvw]

The TV Newspeople thought it was terrific. G. W. Bush take note! We need more laws like this perhaps to feed the media cycle without any real effect ... (No, no, no -- wouldn't be encouraging responsibility, but sounds good doesn't it? In some way foolish legislation with no force is an improvement over foolish legislation that has some force. The legislature that has mocked the law by its action has finally become perfect. They have produced a law that is totally a mock law.)

[KarlInOhio]

If these guns are ever made, I bet that within 24 hours of the first of these guns being released there will be a page on the internet telling users how to defeat this. Manufacturers would have a sales advantage from having the most easily hackable electronics.

[Mr. K]

THIS IS A CUNNING WAY OF BANNING *ALL* *OTHER* GUNS!!!!!!!!

[Spiritus Gladius]

So ... if this wiz-bang technology fails we can sue the The New Jersey Instititute of Technology and the State of New Jersey?

No, but your widow and/or surviving children can.

[Monty22]

This is an outrage of course, but hardly surprising from NJ. Now.. Will the USSC put a stop to all this, even if it's full of conservative judges? Doubtful.

[Anchoragite]

If these guns are ever made, I bet that within 24 hours of the first of these guns being released there will be a page on the internet telling users how to defeat this.

Hmm... Application of the DMCA toward gun control... The hackers would be circumventing a manufacturer's security encryption device, which is illegal under the DMCA.

[savedbygrace]

IIRC, that's some sort of trigger lock thingy, the one he couldn't get to work when he was demonstrating it at a public meeting.

Somebody correct me.

[Spiritus Gladius]

...a law requiring all new handguns sold...

Want to get top dollar for your old, shot-out, barely working lump o' rust? I know where there's going to be an emerging market.

[pabianice]

Smart Gun Technology Announced

"Weapons which will operate only when held by authorized personnel, should be available within three hundred years," said Gov. McGreevey. "And what's better, there is no unsightly body after the shooting. It's gone. Vaporized! What better way to protect our children from the reality of self-defense?"

The firearms are expected to be marketed by Star Fleet Technologies by A.D. 2280.

"Look. If a person really wants a handgun, he should be agreeable to waiting until safe guns are marketed, right?" continued McGreevey. "I'm tired of the selfish whining from the NRA lobby. Don't they know it's for the children?"

When reminded that private firearms stop at least 750,000 violent crimes every year in the U.S., including those against children, McGreevey brushed past reporters. Surrounded by his private, armed security detail, he entered his limousene, huffing, "NRA claptrap! I'm late for the party at Hillary's."

[Recovering_Democrat]

New Jersey, the slightly stupider cousin of New York.