Virginia Gun Owners Forum - VGOF

Let's seriously discuss smart guns

This is, admittedly a long, well written essay on how firearms work, specifically handguns, and smart gun technology.
Even though this is from the pro-gun group in the Democratic Underground site I half expected it to be pro smart gun.
I was wrong.
Read the last couple of paragraphs.

That pretty much covered my objections to "smart" guns. Add to that, electronics are sensitive. How many rounds do you reckon that a larger caliber "smart" gun will take before the sensitive electronics start to rattle apart? And how much heat will it take before the electronics fry?

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I have no issue with "smart" guns until politicians start talking about mandates.

Well written.

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I am not very worried about high operating temperatures but temperature changes stress solder joints that are then abused by high acelleration from the impulse of firing center fire ammunition. Additionally the electromechanical mechansims will have very small mechanical displacements dramatically increasing sensitivity to normal debris and fouling from firing ammunition. Couple that with material dimensional changes resulting from temperature changes will result in failure to function due to debris and very small mechanical displacement of the actuator.

Finally what company will provide liability to any manufacturer of smart guns.

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SHMIV wrote:Add to that, electronics are sensitive. How many rounds do you reckon that a larger caliber "smart" gun will take before the sensitive electronics start to rattle apart? And how much heat will it take before the electronics fry?

Electronics don't have to be delicate. It is just a matter of proper design and testing¹... and money... don't forgot the money!

I'd be worried about system reliability (bio-metric/token interface, battery life, actuator reliability, etc.) but, for the right price, electronics don't have to be the weak link....

¹There are GPS and guidance systems that survive being shot out of artillery; and assorted electronic systems that live on jet engines and ride on rockets. Heck, even my last $50 Casio G-shock watch was still working, when I replaced it; with a dying battery, torn band and chunks of the case falling off; while covered in scratches and weld-splatter!

I wonder what sort of legal mumbo-jumbo-laden disclaimer I'll have to sign when I purchase a so-called "smart gun"? There's no doubt in my mind that the manufacturer will be held completely harmless in case their "smart gun" fails to go bang when it's needed most.

Then again, I'd have to be dumber than a box of hammers to buy one these "smart guns" in the first place. So maybe they are on to something after all.