Watch CBS News

Advent of Owner-Only Handguns May Force Gun Law Changes in N.J.

By David Madden

TRENTON, N.J. (CBS) --     A law on the books for more than a decade in New Jersey may only now be garnering some attention, due to advances in technology.

The law deals with handguns and what kinds might be available eventually in the Garden State.

The law,  passed in 2002, restricts handgun sales to types containing technology that allows only the owner to use it.  But such a firearm was not available in the marketplace.

But now, a German gunmaker called Armatix is ready to sell the iP1 pistol in the US, which links to a wristwatch. The wearer uses a code to activate the weapon.   Without that code, the gun won't fire.

Nicola Bocour, with Ceasefire NJ, has been confident that this day would eventually come.

"We do think that that would certainly help to keep guns out of the hands of the wrong people, which is primarily the purpose of having such a law in place," she told KYW Newsradio today.

The next step is for the New Jersey attorney general to certify that the technology is genuine and the system works.

Assuming that happens, the change in state policy would be phased in over three years.  There was no immediate comment from the AG's office.

By the way, Bocour expects the gun lobby to fight the implementation tooth and nail.

View CBS News In
CBS News App Open
Chrome Safari Continue
Be the first to know
Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting.