Vice President Joe “Buy a Shotgun” Biden recently capped off a meeting of governors, mayors, attorneys general and others who gathered at the White House to formulate a strategy to reduce gun violence while upholding the Second Amendment (“whether we like it or not,” Biden clarified).
One expert-free panel discussion was devoted exclusively to smart gun technology, the subject of a recent article in Newsweek.
Imagine a gun that functions like your smartphone https://t.co/qFqSfqhjBe
— Newsweek (@Newsweek) June 1, 2016
Though Newsweek’s article covers the government’s push behind smart guns, it makes no mention whatsoever of just what makes a gun “smart” or what technologies are employed. That component of the story is confined to the tweet asking readers to imagine a gun that works like a smartphone.
@Newsweek Um, a gun that functioned like a smartphone would be a …smartphone. Imagine a more centered Newsweek. Readership might pick up.
— hoyt gier (@hoytag) June 1, 2016
Breaks when dropped, doesn't work without a charge, fingerprint recognition won't work with a bloody hand?
Sounds swell.@Newsweek— Mr. ✘ (@GlomarResponder) June 1, 2016
@Newsweek You mean one that won't unlock with a swipe from a wet finger, and takes several tries even on a good day? No thanks.
— Rob Firriolo ن (@Firriolo) June 1, 2016
@Newsweek Unreliable and slow?
— TheGoodEgg (@BGWhite42) June 1, 2016
Only works in certain areas and breaks if you barely drop it? https://t.co/8YuqLAHvtu
— Stephen Miller (@redsteeze) June 1, 2016
@Newsweek So the police and hackers can disable it remotely?
— Charlie Egan (@CharlieJEgan) June 1, 2016
@Newsweek My smartphone can be shut down by a third party. No thanks.
— Don Carpenter (@MrDonCarpenter) June 1, 2016
There isn’t a smart gun market because no one wants guns that don’t reliably work when you need to defend yourself https://t.co/H46mhwtOvV
— Dana Loesch (@DLoesch) June 1, 2016
.@Newsweek my smartphone is horribly unreliable. My firearms, quite the contrary. Did you think this question through carefully?
— Eric Fisher (@fishbits) June 1, 2016
Obviously not. Does it include GPS tracking? Does it track your usage? Does it require a monthly subscription to operate? Does it try to install firmware updates while you’re using it? How much to upgrade your rounds-per-month plan?
@Newsweek I'll pass. I don't have to recharge my gun. It never shuts down. It works in all areas. It works when wet, cold, hot, dry…always
— Dilligaf (@Roger247) June 1, 2016
@Newsweek Hell no. I buy guns for reliability, not the ability to play Angry Birds.
— Lee Harvey Griswold (@PoliticalLaughs) June 1, 2016
@Newsweek sounds dangerous. I'll stick with my Ruger/Smith & Wesson.
— $£()@[] (@aj_slown) June 1, 2016
How about a push for more smart gun owners who know where the similarity between guns and cell phones ends?
@Newsweek It sits on my side table doing nothing until I pick it up and use it
— ERS Drive (@ersdrive) June 1, 2016
