That would probably save cops' lives and prevent other tragedies as well. Close to 500 children and adolescents are killed in firearms accidents each year, many with their parents' guns. Some 1,400 youngsters commit suicide with guns annually. Personalizing guns is also likely to help stanch the flow of firearms to criminals. Studies show that 40 percent to 70 percent of the guns used by felons are stolen, most from private homes.
Thefts total some half-million guns a year.
Smart guns would be less attractive targets, since most criminals could not easily put them to use. In February, Sandia National Laboratories completed a study laying out law enforcement requirements for smart guns and evaluating options in technology. Firearms makers are developing prototypes. Fulton Arms Inc. and Colt's Manufacturing Co. are testing designs that go way beyond the low-tech devices like trigger locks used most recently to prevent unauthorized users from firing a gun. An early version of the Fulton SSR-6 revolver won top honors at the 1993 National Inventors Expo.