The increase is due largely to gun-related suicides. It has been estimated that more than one half million guns are stolen from homes each year. Many of those guns are then illegally sold on the street. From 1979 to 1992, an average of 13 police officers were killed each year in the line of duty with their own or a fellow officer's firearm. Present technology permits the manufacture of personalized handguns.
Different technologies exist to personalize guns.
Numerous patents for personalized guns have been awarded since the early 1970's. Under contract with the National Institute of Justice, Sandia National Laboratories recently studied the feasibility of personalized handguns for use by law enforcement officers and developed several demonstration models. Colt's Manufacturing Company Inc. has also developed a prototype for a personalized handgun. One method of personalization involves the use of a tiny transponder, embedded in a ring or worn on clothing, that emits a radio frequency. The transponder signals a unique code to the gun, and the personalized gun will only fire if it detects the presence of its transponder.