Berlin, June 28 (IANS) A German scientist has invented a modified bullet that could be programmed with a password that matches the purchaser's gun.
The bullets developed by Hebert Meyerle, who has applied for a patent on his design, not only provides a securing of the firearm but also a securing of the cartridge against accidental, improper and or unauthorized firing, according to the online edition of New Scientist.
The modified cartridge would be fired by a burst of high-frequency radio energy. But the energy would only ignite the charge if a solid-state switch within the cartridge had been activated.
This would only happen if a password entered into the gun using a tiny keypad matched one stored in the cartridge.
The cartridge itself decides whether it fires or not.
When they are sold, cartridges could be programmed with a password that matches the purchaser's gun. An owner could set the gun to request the password when it is reloaded, or to perform a biometric check before firing.
The gun could also automatically lock itself after a pre-set period of time has passed since the password was entered.
The system would undoubtedly cost more than a conventional gun, but many firearm enthusiasts would surely pay a premium for such added security.
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