One Democrat is pushing a gun control measure with some unusual inspiration -- James Bond.
Rep. John Tierney (D-Mass.) teamed up with founders of Moms Demand Action and Stop Handgun Violence to propose a "smart gun" bill that would require all newly manufactured handguns to be personalized within two years, so they can only be operated by authorized users. The measure would also provide for grants to continue to develop and improve handgun personalization technology, according to a statement from Tierney's office.
"In the most recent James Bond film, Bond escapes death when his handgun, which is equipped with technology that recognizes him as its owner, becomes inoperable when it gets into the wrong hands," Tierney's office said. "This technology, however, isn't just for the movies -- it's a reality."
"This technology needs to be put into action," Tierney said in the statement.
Rep. Carolyn Maloney (D-N.Y.), a co-sponsor of the bill, said the measure could help the problem of irresponsible gun ownership, which she called a "national shame."
“Many of the senseless deaths that occur daily can be prevented. Half of all gun-owning households in the United States do not lock up their firearms, including 40 percent of households with children under the age of 18," Maloney said. "This is a national shame that calls not just for greater parental responsibility, but for more effective handgun safety measures, and that’s why I support this bill.
Maloney called the "smart gun" technology a "game changer."
"Technology now exists to ensure a gun is used only by the actual authorized user of a weapon -- and that will be a game-changer in the cause of keeping guns out of the hands of children and criminals," Maloney said in the statement.
Vice President Joe Biden proposed similar "smart gun" technology in January 2013, claiming evidence shows personalized handguns may have prevented the events of the Newtown school shooting where 20 children and six teachers were killed.
*Click here to read the full press release on Tierney's "smart gun" proposal.* Reported by Huffington Post 18 hours ago.
Rep. John Tierney (D-Mass.) teamed up with founders of Moms Demand Action and Stop Handgun Violence to propose a "smart gun" bill that would require all newly manufactured handguns to be personalized within two years, so they can only be operated by authorized users. The measure would also provide for grants to continue to develop and improve handgun personalization technology, according to a statement from Tierney's office.
"In the most recent James Bond film, Bond escapes death when his handgun, which is equipped with technology that recognizes him as its owner, becomes inoperable when it gets into the wrong hands," Tierney's office said. "This technology, however, isn't just for the movies -- it's a reality."
"This technology needs to be put into action," Tierney said in the statement.
Rep. Carolyn Maloney (D-N.Y.), a co-sponsor of the bill, said the measure could help the problem of irresponsible gun ownership, which she called a "national shame."
“Many of the senseless deaths that occur daily can be prevented. Half of all gun-owning households in the United States do not lock up their firearms, including 40 percent of households with children under the age of 18," Maloney said. "This is a national shame that calls not just for greater parental responsibility, but for more effective handgun safety measures, and that’s why I support this bill.
Maloney called the "smart gun" technology a "game changer."
"Technology now exists to ensure a gun is used only by the actual authorized user of a weapon -- and that will be a game-changer in the cause of keeping guns out of the hands of children and criminals," Maloney said in the statement.
Vice President Joe Biden proposed similar "smart gun" technology in January 2013, claiming evidence shows personalized handguns may have prevented the events of the Newtown school shooting where 20 children and six teachers were killed.
*Click here to read the full press release on Tierney's "smart gun" proposal.* Reported by Huffington Post 18 hours ago.