Can Technology Answer the Gun Control Problem?

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   rhamsonposted 11 years ago

   We have several technologies that might be an alternative to new gun sales in th US. One solution is for the gun to be fail safed to the owner only. This would discourage stolen weapons due to the inability of anybody but the ower to discharge the weapon. Another technology would be for GPS locating software that would prevent the weapon from discharging in areas where the gun should not be used such as hospitals, schools, parks, etc..

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      Mark Knowlesposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      You would be happy to provide a DNA specimen to the Government Inc along with allowing your weapons to be microchipped and GPS tracked 24 hours a day?

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         rhamsonposted 11 years agoin reply to this

         Current technology has a wristband that keys the identification for the gun to recognize. As far as carrying a gun into an area that people congregate in mass that has to be worked out to whether you have the authority or clearance to carry a weapon there.

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      Credence2posted 11 years agoin reply to this

      What is it with the rightwinger and guns? You want to carry into burger king, libraries and arm teachers. A Dodge City kind of a world, is this what they envision?  Yes, the rightwinger is afraid of something, if it moves and they don't like it, shoot it?
      Yes they are afraid and it reveals a tendency to be less than a man in facing adversity in their lives and in the world. Speaks volumes, doesn't it? No denigration intended toward the women.

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         wildernessposted 11 years agoin reply to this

         Is it possible that the right winger is afraid of exactly the same thing that the left winger is?  That there is a killer lurking out there?  Maybe in the Burger King?

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         rhamsonposted 11 years agoin reply to this

         I don't know if it is the rightwinger being afraid as much as prepared as I have been told. I just think a little preventitive action could eliminate a larger situation that would require deadly force.

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   wildernessposted 11 years ago

   A fail safe to the owner might work.  The GPS thing, though - why would anyone want to carry a weapon that won't fire in areas where people congregate?  That's where the potential for slaughter is the highest, after all - the the potential for self defense or defense of others is highest.

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      rhamsonposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      If you are too frightened to enter an area with large congregations of people without a gun then maybe you should not be there.

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         whoisitposted 11 years agoin reply to this

         Why does it constantly come down to being afraid owning guns equates to fear how exactly?

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            rhamsonposted 11 years agoin reply to this

            could you rephrase or clarify your question please?

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               whoisitposted 11 years agoin reply to this

               I have read here many times in the past few days that we must be afraid of something if we own guns. I own many firearms and have since I was 12 years old fear has never been my reason for owning them.

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                  rhamsonposted 11 years agoin reply to this

                  I don't think you have to be afaid of anything to warrant the ownership of a gun. I was answering the hubbers question about being safe in a congregation of people such as a park. If he felt anxious or fearful then maybe he should not be there armed or otherwise.

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                     whoisitposted 11 years agoin reply to this

                     Would you be fearful if I was there armed and carrying a weapon legally?

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                        rhamsonposted 11 years agoin reply to this

                        I don't think it would be fear if you were packing in a large crowd at a park as much as it would possibly be trusting a stranger to know when and if to use deadly force if confronted. Better off everybody would be unarmed in my estimation.

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                           whoisitposted 11 years agoin reply to this

                           In a perfect world maybe, but we know criminals regardless of laws are going to arm themselves. My reason for carrying is not fear but on the off chance I or you are confronted by a gun I have at least the chance to defend myself or you.

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                              rhamsonposted 11 years agoin reply to this

                              I guess you are right by being capable of instantaneously reacting to a threatening situation. But technology could help you if the weapon the perpetrator had would be incapacitated by the lock out of personalizing technology. Also the limitation of others getting ahold of your gun and using it against you would also be compromised greatly.
                              
                              Take a  look at this: http://news.yahoo.com/smart-guns-show-p … 57039.html

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                                 wildernessposted 11 years agoin reply to this

                                 An interesting article.  A little light on specifics and tech information, but it sounds like something that I could and would support.
                                 
                                 I don't like the idea of a ring or even an implant, but a gun that would (quickly) identify the owner of a bracelet or something that could do the identification and notify the gun that it's OK to fire could be very helpful.

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   JaxsonRaineposted 11 years ago

   That would increase black market activity for 'pre-tech' guns, or for services to hack 'post-tech' guns.

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      wildernessposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      Absolutely true, but I would not expect the madmen such as at Sandy to be interested in searching out a black market gun.  It takes too much time and connections that they won't have.
      
      At least I know that I wouldn't have the faintest how I could procure a fully automatic weapon.  It's possible, sure, but not real easy for those that don't live in that world already.

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         JaxsonRaineposted 11 years agoin reply to this

         No, it doesn't. You don't need connections. You can do it anonymously online. It takes a few minutes. The black market, thanks to the internet, is available to everyone.
         
         Fully automatic weapons aren't illegal, they are just expensive. You search for one for sale, then give the government $200. As long as you aren't a felon, you get it.

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            wildernessposted 11 years agoin reply to this

            *shrug*  As I say, I wouldn't have a clue how to go about it.
            
            Assuming you're right (and I have no reason to disbelieve it) I don't think I can walk into the post office, plunk down $200 and walk out with an automatic firing 50 cal or an uzi.
            
            And no, I don't need to read the details of how to go about it.  I'm not interested in buying one, just saying I don't know how and doubt that the madman at Sandy did either.

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               JaxsonRaineposted 11 years agoin reply to this

               You could find out how with a Google search. So could the Sandy shooter.
               
               We don't really have to worry about automatic weapons.
               
               1 - They are less accurate
               2 - They are quite expensive... 5 figures to buy one.

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                  wildernessposted 11 years agoin reply to this

                  Well, I think you're right - automatic weapons aren't really the problem.
                  
                  I just meant to indicate that whatever we do to make it more difficult the results will be the same as with automatic guns - I did not realize they were legally available.
                  
                  If, for instance, we outlaw large clips or semi-automatics they will still be around, but most people won't know how to get one and that would include the insane people that simply go out to kill as many as possible.

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                     rhamsonposted 11 years agoin reply to this

                     I agree that the multi-mega clip magazines these wack jobs acquire to carry out their crap should be hard to get. It would at least give the intended victims a chance to jump the nut job between reloads.

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      rhamsonposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      As many say the criminals will always find a way to procur guns to do their dirt. But the eventual new weapons technology would start to prevent many without those extra means to circumvent the technology and frustrate the expediency of those that can.

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