Last week the Obama administration released a progress report on the gun control policy that was first unveiled in January, of which a key part is smart gun technology.
The administration is presenting guidelines for federal, state and local law enforcement agencies to fine smart guns, which is an umbrella term for technology that enables only those people authorised to shoot weapons.
The White House says the Department of Defense will start to test the technology and offer a cash prize for manufacturers. Furthermore, the federal government and Department of Justice will aim to increase production of guns that use the safety technology.
“There is no problem that America’s innovators cannot solve”, said Valerie Jarrett, a senior Obama advisor, in the report, “and we are confident that by focusing the private sector’s attention on smart gun technology, we will unlock life-saving innovations”.
Smart gun tech has some prominent Silicon Valley backers, including well-known investor Ron Conway, founder of the Smart Tech Challenges Foundation. He praised the Administration report in an email.
“Smart guns that meet the highest standards-of both safety and operability-can help prevent unintentional shootings and realise safer communities”, Conway wrote. “We have seen first hand the promise of these technologies from our Challenge innovators who have much to contribute to the future of smart guns”.
SOURCE: Re/code.
Larry Banks is a keen follower of technology and finance. He has worked for a variety of online publications, writing about a diverse range of topics including mobile networks, patents, and Internet video delivery technologies.