An Overview of Gun Safety & Smart Guns

Gun safety rules and recommendations are intended to avoid accidental discharge or negligent discharge, or the consequences of firearm malfunctions. Their purpose is to eliminate or minimize the risks of unintentional death, injury or damage caused by improper possession, storage, or handling of firearms. A smart gun, or personalized gun, is a firearm that includes a safety feature or features that allow it to fire only when activated by an authorized user. These safety features can prevent misuse, accidental shootings, gun thefts, and use of the weapon against the owner. Smart guns distinguish between authorized users and unauthorized users in several different ways, including the use of RFID chips or other proximity tokens, fingerprint recognition, magnetic rings, or mechanical locks. Related to smart guns are other smart firearms safety devices such as biometric or RFID activated accessories and safes. Gun safety training seeks to instill a certain mindset and appropriate habits by following specific rules. The mindset is that firearms are inherently dangerous and must always be stored carefully and handled with care. Handlers are taught to treat firearms with respect for their destructive capabilities, and strongly discouraged from playing or toying with firearms, a common cause of accidents. The rules of gun safety follow from this mindset. Various version of the "Ten Commandments of Gun Safety" have been published. 1. Treat every gun with the respect due a loaded gun.2. Carry only empty guns, taken down or with the action open, into your car, camp and home.3. Always be sure that the barrel and action are clear of obstructions.4. Always carry your gun so that you can control the direction of the muzzle.5. Be sure of your target before you pull the trigger.6. Never point a gun at anything you do not want to shoot.7. Never leave your gun unattended unless you unload it first.8. Never climb a tree or a fence with a loaded gun.9. Never shoot at a flat, hard surface or the surface of water.10. Do not mix gunpowder and alcohol. This book is designed to be a state of the art, superb academic reference work and provide an overview of the topic and give the reader a structured knowledge to familiarize yourself with the topic at the most affordable price possible. The accuracy and knowledge is of an international viewpoint as the edited articles represent the inputs of many knowledgeable individuals and some of the most current knowledge on the topic, based on the date of publication.