We seem to have passed a landmark moments in the gun industry today. Biofire, the “smart gun” maker started by Kai Kloepfer, announced that they’ve now shipped their first firearms to customers who pre-ordered them.
So-called smart guns — Biofire’s pistols use biometrics to identify authorized users — generate a lot of feelings among America’s gun owners. Most of the angst about them is rooted in the disastrous attempts by New Jersey politicians to mandate their sale and use.
The truth is, once they’re widely available, most of the gun-buying public won’t have much of an opinion one way or another about a company offering a biometric gun. Their guns will be one more option in the counter for them to consider. And that’s just fine…as long as that’s all they are. It’s the coercion that gun owners rightly hate and fight against, tooth and nail.
We’ve talked to Kloepfer in the past and he’s been adamant that he opposes all attempts to legislate the sale or use of “smart guns.” He says just wants them to be available for sale to people who want the technology they offer. And for those who aren’t comfortable with electronics in their firearms, they’re free to choose traditional mechanical offerings.
Here’s Biofire’s press release announcing the first guns going out the door . . .
Biofire Group, a leading defense technology company dedicated to building the future of firearms, today announced that it has delivered the first production Biofire Smart Guns off the manufacturing line to customers.
The Smart Gun is here. Fulfillment of the first customer Smart Guns represents a key milestone in bringing Biofire’s flagship product to market after its debut last April was met with waves of support.
“The Smart Guns shipped today are the culmination of years of incredible effort and problem solving by the Biofire team,” said Kai Kloepfer, Founder and CEO of Biofire. “This accomplishment marks a realization of a dream that many believed to be impossible, a firearm that is instantly accessible to the owner while remaining secure from unauthorized use: the world’s first and only biometric firearm on the market.”
Bringing the Smart Gun to market required a leap forward in firearm technology and consumer product manufacturing – the likes generally seen in defense, aerospace, or medical devices. Biofire’s novel and advanced approach to firearm development ensured the product not only met, but exceeded the highest standards of modern engineering. Starting with a heavy focus on researching the needs of today’s gun owners, Biofire recognized from an early stage the potential for technology to have a huge impact on firearms.
Designed for home defense, the Biofire Smart Gun enables firearm owners to defend themselves against external threats while preventing unauthorized access and misuse. From its Guardian Biometric Engine to its electronic fire control system and high-endurance battery, the Biofire Smart Gun’s technology ensures that the shooting experience is seamless: authorized users can simply pick up the gun and fire it. The Smart Gun has undergone extensive durability and live-fire testing to ensure it meets these standards. For additional details on the Smart Gun’s advanced technology and features, please visit smartgun.com/tech-specs.
Bringing the Smart Gun to the world would not have been possible without the support of our customers, partners and investors, and with significant investments raised to develop the Smart Gun – to all who supported and believed in Biofire, thank you!
Biofire is the first and only venture capital-backed firearm technology company in the United Sates and has raised $40 million from leading investors including Founders Fund, CAZ Investments, Valhalla Ventures, Liquid 2 Ventures, Break Trail Ventures, Serafund and K2 Global.
Biofire maintains focus on continuing to fulfill Smart Guns to customers, and customers who have placed reservations will receive information related to their delivery and finalization status based upon the timing of their reservation. Production capabilities will continue ramping up throughout the year.
The Biofire Smart Gun is available to order now at smartgun.com/build with a refundable $149 deposit, total price of $1,499.
Some interesting features “FRONT SIGHT ILLUMINATION: RGB Light Emitting Diode” However, what is the water resistance, drop limits, and temperature operating range if this firearm? I suppose it may be limited to household use without power outages.
I can’t count the number of times I’ve picked up a rechargeable electronic do-dad of some sort like an iPod out of a drawer I haven’t opened in some time…
…only to discover the gadget won’t power on from a dead battery.
And that will be a *perfect* outcome for a ‘smart gun’ according to the ‘grabbers’, since a gun that refuses to fire when asked is only kind of gun they will consider acceptable for us to own. And a so-called ‘smart gun’ will have to be constantly powered on to listen for the signal to awaken.
I hope every leftist-fascist scum ™ buys a ‘smart gun’ and needs it years later, only to discover an expensive bludgeoning tool… 🙁
On the one hand, I’d rather that ‘murica be the driver of technological advances like this, so well done. In my other hand will be a mechanical pistol, maybe with a compact reflex sight if the irons can still be used, no sensors need apply.
Tritium is fine especially paired with glow in the dark.
Neat. I don’t one, wouldn’t trust one and will never buy one but neat.
Even assuming the electronics work perfectly, it seems to me that a holster-type safe with those same biometrics would be better in every way.
What in my completely technical, non-profane, and apolitical comment got me stuck in moderation?
Dumbest thing ever.
no no no—it does not work that way——-what happens when you pull the trigger, it dials 911
Is it chambered in the ultra deadly .9mm caliber?
How – exactly – does this “firearm” work? My fingerprints are such that applications for a CHL are nightmarish in trying to get “readable” prints. If this “firearm” uses prints…I would never be able to get it to work properly. Won’t be buying one.