Gun violence results in thousands of deaths and injuries across the United States each year. And shockingly, it was the leading cause of death for children 19 years and younger in 2020. While mass shootings only represent a small fraction of gun deaths, they have become increasingly common and make the U.S. a clear outlier among high-income countries.
Sensible gun policies are the only long-term solution, but new technologies could help reduce risk in critical areas. In this article, we’ll take a look at a handful of technologies that could help reduce gun violence in the absence of legislation.
Radio Waves Could Improve Detection
Most large venues use metal detectors and a police presence to attempt to find weapons. But unfortunately, many events are too large or open to enforce metal detectors, and plastic guns can easily evade enforcement. Police can often identify suspicious behavior, but even large teams can’t monitor massive crowds or every part of an indoor event.
GBT Technologies Inc. (OTC: GTCH) quietly filed a provisional patent for a real-time movement and position detection method and system in June 2021. The system includes a radio-based motion and image technology that leverages artificial intelligence to control radio wave transmissions and analyze the reflected information to construct a 2D or 3D image.
Watch a video on the Apollo technology below (video muted by default):
Using electromagnetic radiation, the system can efficiently scan through mediums, such as walls, and identify any object using artificial intelligence. Therefore, the system could be used both indoors and outdoors and trained to detect guns, knives, and other weapons in real-time, helping police intervene before it’s too late.
Biometrics Could Prevent Accidents
More than half of gun deaths are suicides and accidents rather than homicides. These statistics aren’t surprising given that more than 300 million firearms are in circulation around the U.S., and 40% of these owners keep a loaded weapon in a house with children. While removing these weapons is challenging, new technologies could make them safer.
Identilock developed a fingerprint authentication system for handguns, making it impossible for unauthorized users to fire. In particular, children that bypass a gun safe and access the weapon would still be unable to fire it. At the same time, a rightful owner would still be able to access and quickly fire the handgun for target shooting (or rarely) self-defense.
Similarly, biometric safes could help keep guns away from children and other unauthorized users. While a key can be easy to find and owners may forget to lock a case, biometric safes automatically lock when closed and require a fingerprint. As a result, they’re nearly impossible for non-owners to access and keep weapons safely concealed.
Remote Technologies Could Improve Safety
Lockdown drills have become an unfortunate reality for millions of American children. But, despite traumatizing kids with hypothetical events, they have proven ineffective in solving the problem. A growing number of shootings make it clear that one cannot rely on individuals in crisis to make rational decisions in the moment.
Knightscope is developing security robots to patrol schools, malls, and other venues. These robots deliver real-time, actionable intelligence anytime and anywhere. In addition, they provide deterrence capabilities, a conspicuous physical presence, and high-quality evidence to prosecute criminals, along with 24/7 operation in any conditions.
For its part, NETTALON is developing an integrated building defense system that enables remote lockdowns. The technology provides law enforcement with immediate intelligence and seeks to isolate shooters as quickly as possible before they can inflict damage.
Looking Ahead
Gun violence will only be solved through sensible policies, but new technologies could help address the problem. From GBT Technologies’ gun detection technologies to Knightscope’s patrols, there are a growing number of options for schools, office buildings, and other public places where a greater security presence may be necessary.
For more information about GBT Technologies’ solutions, visit their website at www.gbtti.com.
