(NRA-ILA statement, 10/1/98)
"Smart Guns" or Smart Gun Owners?
If proven to be safe and reliable, we welcome new technology, and
law-abiding gun owners should be allowed to choose if such technology is
appropriate for them. However, a government mandate of this
technology would be unwise.
Any mechanical device can fail -- no matter how
high-tech. Americans use firearms defensively 2.5 million times
every year (Kleck/Gertz, 1995), and, if mandated for all gun owners, the
failure of such technology would lead to more tragedy than it can
possibly prevent.
No single storage method or device is appropriate for every gun
owner. Americans need to be able to choose what best suits their
individual needs and personal situations.
The addition of this technology to a firearm will significantly
increase its cost. A government mandate will mean that some
law-abiding citizens -- working class Americans or those on fixed incomes
-- will be priced out of their fundamental right of self-defense.
Firearm safety training helps to insure that gun owners choose the
appropriate storage method for their personal situation.
The annual number of fatal firearms accidents is at an all time low,
and the one constant driving the accident rate down has been firearm
safety training programs like those offered by the NRA.
NRA has spent over $100 million in just the last eight years on
firearms safety and training.
NRA's 40,000 certified firearm safety instructors teach gun safety
to nearly 750,000 Americans every year.
NRA's award-winning Eddie EagleŽ Gun Safety Program for children,
now 10 years old, has been taught to over 10 million American
youngsters.
Eddie Eagle teaches young children a very simple, life-saving
message -- if they see a gun, they should
