Posted on 01/13/2005 11:18:13 AM PST by dbwz
Sixty people crowded into a small room at the Bayonne police firing range to witness smart gun technology. Donald H. Sebastian, PhD, senior vice president of research and development at New Jersey Institute of Technology (NJIT), stood near an oversized screen displaying a real-time video of an NJIT policeman shooting an experimental handgun in an adjacent indoor range. Although there was no applause as shots rang out, the action demonstrated that smart gun knew friend from foe.
Sixteen electronic computerized sensors embedded in the gun’s grip distinguished known from unknown users. “We’ve only just begun and we’re pleased to say that we’re getting 90 percent reliability when scanning users,” said Sebastian. (NOTE: To view additional smart gun photos, scroll down to the end of this article.)
Since 1999, Sebastian, has led the smart gun project based upon Dynamic Grip Recognition, a technology invented by Michael Recce, PhD, associate professor of information systems at NJIT. Five members of the NJIT police force have been trained since June of 2004 to use the test gun and be recognized. Ultimately computerized sensors in each gun will record data on dozens of known users while also blocking unauthorized users.
The project has the enthusiastic backing of Sens. Frank R. Lautenberg and Jon S. Corzine. In addition to proudly witnessing the technology, the pair announced in December 2004 that, once again, they had secured $1 million in federal funding for the project; they secured a similar amount the previous year. The funding was included in this year’s U.S. Department of Justice budget. Reps. Robert Menendez and William Pascrell, who have also supported the research and sought federal appropriations, also spoke, as did NJIT President Robert A. Altenkirch and Bayonne Mayor and State Senator Joseph Doria, an early New Jersey legislative supporter.
Under New Jersey law, passed in December 2002, only smart guns can be purchased in the state three years after personalized handguns become commercially available. Lautenberg said New Jersey’s legislative effort to introduce smart gun technology should be a national model for the country. Once Congress returns to session next year, Lautenberg and Pascrell plan to introduce legislation modeled after New Jersey’s law, so families across the country will be able to ensure that guns they own will not fall into the wrong hands.
“Everyone has body features that are unique signatures,” said Sebastian. “Fingerprints and retinas number among the best known markers. Identifying a person by such attributes is called the science of biometrics.”
Another form of biometric—the dynamic biometric—depends on both physical markers and behavior. “This is about who you are and how you do something, said Sebastian. This biometric is the foundation of Dynamic Grip Recognition. The technology measures not only the size, strength and structure of a person’s hand, but also the reflexive way in which the person acts. For smart gun, the observed actions are how the person squeezes something to produce a unique and measurable pattern. Embedded sensors in the experimental gun then can read and record the size and force of the users’ hand during the first second when the trigger is squeezed.
“This technology is similar to how electronic machines read an individual’s signature upon completing a credit card transaction,” said Sebastian.
The next step is for NJIT researchers to turn over their invention to the Australian-based research and development company Metal Storm Ltd.. Currently January of 2006 is the target date. Metal Storm will then incorporate the NJIT technology into their patented electronic handgun, as NJIT researchers continue testing.
“NJIT is doing pioneering research to make a firearm that can save thousands of innocent lives,” said Lautenberg during a recent demonstration of the technology at a Bayonne firing range. “On any given day people across the country can turn on their TV news or read in their local paper the sad story of a child taking another child’s life because they got their hands on a loaded gun. However, we know now that these deaths can be prevented—or at least reduced—through technology that will render a gun inoperable in the hands of the wrong user.”
Corzine called the NJIT’s dynamic-grip technology cutting edge and said that it represented a really positive step forward in public safety. “NJIT is involved in important life-saving research,” he added. “There is no question that manufacturing handguns with advanced technology to limit operation can save lives. No child could pick up a gun and pull the trigger. The gun just won’t work, and that’s how it should be.”
Menendez said that by making handguns operable only by authorized users, many gun deaths can be avoided. Pascrell said he looked forward to introducing legislation in the 108th Congress similar to the legislation in New Jersey.
Since 1999, NJIT has spearheaded efforts to develop a personalized handgun that can instantly and reliably recognize one or more pre-programmed authorized users. To date, the New Jersey legislature has awarded NJIT $1.5 million for the project.
In 2003, Recce received a patent for Dynamic Grip Recognition. The invention enabled NJIT electrical engineering professor Timothy Chang, PhD, assisted by a team of engineers, to embed multiple small electronic sensors in the grip. The sensors identify the user. The finished gun will eventually feature both electronic features and computerized parts. Recce sees his invention someday also being used in other applications—perhaps the yoke of a plane or a car’s steering wheel.
Also in 2003, NJIT signed an agreement with Metal Storm, which owns a patent for its Electronic Firing System that can be used in a handgun. Metal Storm’s O’DwyerTM VLe® system is a unique, patented approach to firing projectiles. Entirely electronic, the system utilizes preloaded barrels holding multiple projectiles that are fired by electronic ignition. For the first time, interchangeable and multiple barrels can be made available to fire a range of projectiles of varying calibers from the same handgun.
View additional smart gun photos.
Issue them to LAPD and NYPD for a five year test. Even then, I don't want one.
“There is no question that manufacturing handguns with advanced technology to limit operation can save lives. No child could pick up a gun and pull the trigger. The gun just won’t work, and that’s how it should be.”
How many guys you know would take a chance on 90% with thier lives?
Do you think the LAPD and NYPD would want them for a five year test ?
Exactly. Try selling Police Departments on issueing this crap to their officers telling them 'well 90% of the time the gun will fire!"
Yeah right.
I agree, put the Tech. In LEO hands and let THEM field test it. Cause I sure aint gonna.
I think we have an echo in here.
Read between the lines. New Jersey Institute of Technology is doing the research. Jon Corzine, of New Jersey, got millions in Federal money for the project.
They don't even care if it works, it's just pork.
I was given my first firearm at the age of 7, and was taught all of the safety rules, including respect. Every single one of my firearms have killed fewer people then Ted Kennedy's car. Now there is a weapon that needed a safety device.
No, the gun doesn't "know friend from foe". It knows owner from non-owner, and will readily refuse to fire if owner's friend tries to use it on the foe who just wounded or killed owner and is trying to do same to owner's friend.
I suggest the test be done by all LEOs in New Jersey.
If they want to require it, they should test it.
The RINO's of NJ fully support this along with the liberals. Funny how the police departments are EXEMPT from this law. Gee, I wonder why that is?
I think it may be time to move.
"a firearm that can save thousands of innocent lives"
The above is a lie. Gun accidents when the firearm is handled by a non-owner are rare. Police officers shot with their own gun by another are about 8 to 15 a year.
That means to save a thousand will take into the next century. What about the others killed because they couldn't use a non-owned gun for self-defense? They don't count?
Under New Jersey law, passed in December 2002, only smart guns can be purchased in the state three years after personalized handguns become commercially available. Lautenberg said New Jersey’s legislative effort to introduce smart gun technology should be a national model for the country.
Bzzt. Wrong answer...
"A well regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed."
Sounds like it's all fun and games until some bright bad guy figures out how to ecm the electronics in the "weapon".
Of course that only matters if the "owner" is a cop, I wonder if NJ is going to issue these "smart" guns to their police officers? I doubt it.
My point exactly. If it ain't good enough for them, it ain't good enough for me. If gun grabbers love 'em so much, let the police lead the way.
Ayoob had a great article last year about a young man (12?) who saved his grandmother from an attack by a drugged up perp with a knife to her throat. The kid pulled out grandma's high caliber pistol and shot the perp through the armpit (perp had granny in a choke hold)! What a shot! Killed the bastard(poor kid though, what a thing to deal with). Anyway, friend or foe technology would likely have nullified his effort.
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