A magazine and a system for locking a firearm

Abstract

The present invention provides a magazine holding ammunition and electronic components arranged to be locked / unlocked biometrically or by radio signal, the magazine comprising a housing having a capacity for holding both a column of cartridges and electronic components. The housing being dimensioned to be insertable into a standard firearm without requiring any modification of the firearm. Further, the magazine includes an assembly for preventing the charging of the firearm by a mechanical element extending longitudinally outside of the housing or a cartridge barrier element preventing cartridges exiting the magazine housing; and manually or electro-mechanic actuating means for pulling / pushing the mechanical elements in response to a received radio signal, or biometrically released; and electronic means in the housing for processing incoming radio signals for actuating all means and a mobile power supply attached to the housing.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION[0001]The present invention relates to securing firearms from misuse.[0002]More particularly, the invention provides a remotely controlled locking / unlocking system to reduce the possibilities of misuse of handguns either by adults or by children.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0003]While the locking of a weapon such as a handgun is not particularly difficult, there is also a requirement that the weapon must be available for immediate use by an authorized person, often at an unexpected moment. As a general rule it is desirable that the weapon should be operateable only in the hands of a person authorized to do so, and only during the time period when said person is on duty. However during this time period the weapon must be ready for use within a few seconds of the moment that a security threat is determined justifying firing the weapon.[0004]Today pistols and rifles are widely distributed among security guards for buildings and for protecting VIPs and groups of tra...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0017]It is therefore one of the objects of the present invention to obviate the limitations of the prior art and to provide a magazine which can be locked to remotely limit use by the person to whom the weapon was issued.

[0026]a mechanical member extending laterally outside said housing having a first state in which said member is electronically locked to project into a cavity of said firearm, said projection being in an outward-extending position when said magazine is in a locked position thereby preventing removal of said magazine, and being electronically unlocked by a radio signal or biometrically released to allow said magazine to be removed from said firearm;

[0047]It will thus be realized that the novel device of the present invention serves to limit use of the weapon to a time and place authorized for its use. While there is no way of completely preventing a person who has been given a weapon for guard duty or self defense from misusing the weapon which in the line of duty must be ready for use within a few seconds, much can be achieved if the weapon can be locked in circumstances indicating imminent misuse.

Problems solved by technology

While the locking of a weapon such as a handgun is not particularly difficult, there is also a requirement that the weapon must be available for immediate use by an authorized person, often at an unexpected moment.

However during this time period the weapon must be ready for use within a few seconds of the moment that a security threat is determined justifying firing the weapon.

Some armed guards, typically employed by private security companies, are not resistant to the temptation to employ their weapon outside the time, the place and the scope of their defined duty.

Such criminal actions are difficult to counter, because the guard, if challenged, will display a valid license for possession of the weapon.

However recently news reports have shown an alarming rise in crimes committed with handguns which were being misused by the very person authorized to carry the weapon, in some cases for the purpose of “settling” family or business related disputes.

These designs also are not or cannot be arranged for remote control.

These designs also do not relate to the problem of limiting the use of the weapon by the authorized user him / herself.

The design proposed by Abad in US Patent Application 20020162265 is limited to breech-load and revolver-type weapons.

None of the prior art designs limit the use of the weapon by the person who is authorized to use same.

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