Lawmaker has introduced ‘smart gun’ technology legislation to ensure that only authorized users can operate handguns and to increase federal funding for gun violence research at the CDC

Boston (January 4, 2016) – Senator Edward J. Markey (D-Mass.) praised executive actions announced today by the White House to reduce gun violence and make communities safer.

“I applaud the announcement of President Obama and Vice President Biden to take popular, sensible action to help staunch the loss of life from needless gun violence. All of the actions announced today will go a long way to responding to the tragedies that Republicans in Congress continue to allow unabated through their consistent opposition to passage of common sense gun safety legislation.

“In the 21st century, we should use research and advances in technology to our advantage and save lives from senseless gun violence. One of the executive actions announced today includes initiating a review of available ‘smart gun’ technology, a step that I’ve been fighting for in my 'Handgun Trigger Safety Act' legislation with Rep. Carolyn Maloney. Smart gun technology has the potential to save lives by keeping guns literally out of the hands of those who should not have them.

“We all have a responsibility to work for saner, safer gun laws that protect the security of our schools and communities, and I will fight in Congress to compel my colleagues to pass the legislation needed to stem the tide of gun violence and make Massachusetts streets and neighborhoods safer.”

Last year, Senator Markey introduced bicameral legislation to fund research at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on gun violence prevention and firearms safety. The legislation calls for $10 million each year for six years. Senator Markey is also the co-author of “The Handgun Trigger Safety Act”, legislation that would support the use of personalization (or smart gun) technology that allows the purchaser of a gun to designate authorized user(s) who can operate the gun and would make the gun inoperable for all others.

###