Mother Jones

THE SMARTEST GUNS IN THE ROOM

Are Americans ready to give high-tech firearms a shot?

Jonathan Mossberg wanted to be the Steve Jobs of firearms.

In 1999, a few years before the invention of the iPod, Mossberg began to build the iGun, a computer-chip-equipped “smart gun” that could only be fired by its owner. (The “i” stands for intelligence.) He saw the technology as a commonsense way to prevent gun violence—a no-brainer safety device like seatbelts or air bags. The iGun is a shotgun equipped with a radio frequency identification (RFID) sensor that only allows it to be fired by someone wearing a special ring. By 2000,

You’re reading a preview, subscribe to read more.

More from Mother Jones

Mother Jones14 min read
Unnatural Selection
THERE’S SOMETHING UNSETTLING about the Venus flytrap. When it eats, it behaves more like an animal than a plant, ensnaring unsuspecting insects in its fragrant snapping trap in as little as a third of a second. And while one can understand, rationall
Mother Jones1 min read
Contributions
This issue’s cover features a family photo of 17-year-old Braven Glenn, the Crow Nation teen whose death in a police chase led MoJo to investigate tribal law enforcement. What’s your golden rule when you’re on assignment? To see our masthead, visit m
Mother Jones5 min readAmerican Government
Rigged For A King
DONALD TRUMP IS not a typical oligarch. Before entering politics, he was not part of the small group of powerful and rich people who buttressed the ruling elite. He did not build a railroad or a technology empire. His fortune—whatever its size—was no

Related