[Xavier]

Originally Posted by Carl in Tampa

A thread named "Smart Guns" has stimulated a lively discussion which encompassed several issues, principal among them are questions about the Second Amendment, and the questionable reliability of the gun technology in extreme conditions.

The discussions included a link to an existing New Jersey law that specified: "...within a specified period of time after the date on which these new personalized handguns are deemed to be available for retail sales purposes, no other type of handgun shall be sold or offered for sale by any registered or licensed firearms dealer in this State."

P.L.2002, c.130 (S573 2R SCS)

In the smart gun thread it did not occur to anyone to point out the disastrous result of this law would have on the sales and profits of New Jersey gun stores.

Quite simply, as soon as one so-called smart gun goes on the retail market anywhere all handguns in a storeowner's inventory is unsellable contraband. In a large operation this could involve hundreds of thousands of dollars.

In effect, the retailer handgun trade in New Jersey will be wiped out. It is possible that within a few months there will be additional "smart guns" on the market but even then a "one size fits all" solution to gun safety will not stimulate gun sales. Retailers will experience a lower volume of sales.

A perhaps unintended consequence of this law might be that handguns already held in private hands in the state will have dramatic increases in value as a secondary market of private handgun sales develops.

Even when additional "smart guns" come on the market, most will be of a size that is not easily concealable. There is no way that any of the "smart gun" technology presently contemplated will fit into some of the palm-sized pocket handguns currently on the market.

See, for example the North American Arms revolver in .22 RFM caliber.

Bring on the Smart Guns! I don't even own a handgun now, but I sure would own a Smart Gun if it was available. I believe that it's law enforcement who really wants this to happen. Many officers are wounded or killed with their own firearm. Think of how many innocent children would be saved from accidental firings. Power down the testosterone and think of the good of the whole population.

Xavier