In a recent editorial, Cablevision endorsed legislation
which would mandate that all guns sold in New Jersey be "smart guns". That
is, guns designed so that they could only be fired by their owners, or
others authorized by the owner. It sounds like a simple, easy and appealingly
technological solution.
Its not.
First, the guns used by criminals and killers are
often the property of the criminals and killers. A "smart gun" would be
no obstacle to their mayhem. And does anyone seriously believe a criminal,
terrorist or mad man would have any difficulty obtaining such a weapon?
Of course not. Indeed, the worst acts of violence and terrorism have been
wrought with weapons such as car bombs, not guns. And we need to ask: if
this is such a good idea, why do proposals such as this routinely exempt
the police?
Far more important is the fact that no such technology
exists. Yes, there are patents, plans and wonderful sales pitches, all
promoted by those who would love for you to invest in their schemes. But
the truth is there are no "smart guns", and no guarantee they will appear
in the future.
A law requiring only "smart guns" in three to five
years would simply be a cowardly way to ban all guns in three to five years.
And you cannot protect the innocent by disarming the innocent.
Cablevision seems to think passing a law can magically
create technological change. Despite our wishes, the government cannot
mandate a new reality. But if such a technology should surface, the free
market will easily accomplish what government fiat never could.