So since a lot of you are not very knowledgeable about guns, and "smart guns" have been in the news lately, and I have owned over 60 various firearms... I decided to enlighten you all on why Smart Guns are never going to be a big hit.
1. Reliability
Do you know why, depending on the source you check, Glocks have about 65% of the American Law Enforcement handgun market? Because glocks are marketed and made to be as reliable as humanly possible. Not to mention simple, accurate, and very utilitarian. While a lot of gun makers make distinct handguns, glock has basically four handgun models. Subcompact, compact, regular size, and competition size. Then they just tweaked said models for different calibers. You yourself can even swap out calibers easily. Note: Glocks don't even have a safety. Their idea of a "safety" is the trigger. Literally.
Why does this matter? Because reliability is key for the Law Enforcement/Military/Security weapons, as well as simplicity. The US military is still on the Beretta, largely, but also approving Sigs and Glocks. (It is a LOT harder for the Military to change weapons than it is for a LEO agency to switch weapons.)
A "smart gun" literally attempts to incorporate electronic safety measures into a firearm. Cops don't even favor a handgun with a regular safety--do you really think people who risk getting killed if their weapon malfunctions will buy a weapon that literally incorporates electronics?
2. Product Liability Safety
This is a double edged sword. You can't sue gun makers for mis use of their products, but if a gun system fails and gets someone killed... what do you think?
Not to mention that industries have industry safety standards. A lawyer could attempt to sue other gun makers for NOT including said safety features.
3. Cost
These people are attempting to add electronic safety systems to a compact, tiny package, and keep it reliable enough to sell. That costs.
This is an Armatix iP1 smart gun, in .22lr. And it costs about $1300 new, according to the cheaper numbers I found online. Let's compare. This, below, is a Sig 2022 9mm, a high quality German made handgun that is reliable, chambered in 9mm, .40, and .357 sig and also sold massive orders to the French military to become their sidearm. $500 new.
https://www.budsgunshop.com/catalog/product_info.php/products_id/69931
Most people don't want to spend an extra $800. That's life.
4. Alternatives are so cheap
If someone wants to ensure a kid can't get and fire their handgun... trigger locks cost $5. Literally.
https://www.tacticalwholesalers.com/Keyed-Metal-Trigger-Lock_p_96167.html
If you want to go more pricey, you can literally buy a handgun vault keyed to your hand for $150.
Not only far less problematic than trying to put electronics in tiny package your life may rely on, but it works with any handgun you like. No need for a new design that costs $1500.
5. They will only be widespread if mandatory, and it won't happen.
The simple reality is, very few people will want these. The law enforcement market will not, as they don't even want a handgun with a normal click safety, much less electronics. The only way the "smart gun" goal of stopping accidental shootings or making stolen guns useless is if civilians are forced to buy smart guns, as well as being forbidden from buying surplus LEO handguns. This isn't going to pass. After Sandy Hook, the Gun Rights Lobby saw the writing on the wall and literally refused to even let universal background checks for firearm sales pass. This definitely won't pass without heavy executive orders, and that won't fly.
6. Civil Unrest is rising
People want guns. Not more restrictions.
Political violence is becoming more and more common, almost accepted. This is leading to massive gun sales, not attempts to restrict gun sales or buy less reliable weapons.
Crime spikes in Chicago and Baltimore also demonstrate that not only will police save you from mass political violence, but they are now more afraid than ever of ending up on youtube dealing with a drug dealer who is about to become the next black Saint like Freddie Grey.
https://www.newsmax.com/US/crime-violent-homicide-cities/2015/06/04/id/648724/
Baltimore had 340 homicides alone in 2015.
In short... "smart guns" will affect reliability, ensuring that LEO/Military/Security forces never switch to them.
They are already shown to be far pricier than regular handguns, and far pricier than gun safety alternatives.
Considering gun market realities, they will never impact crime use of stolen weapons or accidental shootings unless they become mandatory for citizens.
In our current climate of political violence, the citizenry will never allow more gun restrictions in the face of current crime rates and violence.
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