Lawmaker introduced ‘smart gun’ technology legislation to ensure that only authorized users can operate handguns

Washington (April 29, 2016) – Senator Edward J. Markey (D-Mass.) today applauded the White House announcement of new efforts to reduce gun violence and improve community safety, including the development of smart gun and gun safety technology. Last year, Senator Markey and Rep. Carolyn Maloney (D-N.Y.) introduced 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. A study by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention shows that between 2007 and 2011, an average of 62 children aged 14 and under are accidentally shot and killed each year. Nearly half of gun owners with children keep their guns unlocked. In Massachusetts, nearly 70 percent of all gun crimes are committed with a gun that came in from another state.
 
“Smart guns are smart gun safety policy,” said Senator Markey. “By unleashing the power of American research and innovation, we can literally keep guns out of the hands of those who should not have them and give law enforcement the tools they need to keep communities safer from gun violence. Smart gun technology has the potential to save lives, especially those killed accidentally by guns. I applaud President Obama and the administration’s efforts to improve gun safety, and will continue working with my colleagues to pass the commonsense gun control reforms that Americans overwhelmingly support.”

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