Senator introduced “smart gun” technology legislation to ensure that only authorized users can operate handguns

Washington (November 17, 2016) – Senator Edward J. Markey (D-Mass.) today praised the Department of Justice’s release of a new report to improve and deploy smart gun technology. In April, Senator Markey commended the Obama administration for announcing a new effort to study and expand the deployment of smart gun 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) to operate the gun but would make the gun inoperable for all others. 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.

“If we can manufacture smart cars and smart appliances, then we can make and deploy smart gun technology to save lives,” said Senator Markey.“Smart gun technology is smart gun safety policy. Smart gun technology can literally keep guns out of the hands of those who should not have them and prevent countless accidental deaths.

“I applaud President Obama and the administration’s efforts to improve gun safety technology and standards. I will continue to fight with my Senate colleagues for passage of commonsense gun violence prevention and gun safety legislation that Americans overwhelmingly support.”

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