NCJ Number
241568
Date Published
2005
Length
80 pages
Annotation
This report by the National Academy of Sciences presents the results of an assessment to determine the feasibility of developing a reliable user-authorized handgun.
Abstract
This report presents the results of a technological assessment of the issues surrounding the design and development of a reliable user-authorized handgun (UAHG). The report was produced by the Committee on User-Authorized Handguns working under the auspices of the National Academy of Engineering. The work of the committee centered on four main goals: determine the requirements of UAHGs for two classes of owners - law enforcement personnel and individuals concerned with personal safety; based on the requirements developed in the first goal, determine the specifications for UAHGs; determine which technologies can satisfy the requirements and specifications among existing technologies; and assessing the manufacturability and costs of the most promising technologies for UAHGs, and estimating when they might become available. The report presents information on current technologies available for use in UAHGs and assesses whether these technologies are ready for use in these systems. The assessment found that the technologies needed for use in a reliable UAHG are beyond the current scope and experience base of gun companies, as are the costs and time associated with developing and implementing these technologies. Tables, figures, references, and appendixes