Let me begin this article by asking all of you readers some important questions-
- Are you willing to buy a new vehicle that does not come with seatbelts or airbags?
- Do you want to invest in a home that does not have smoke alarms and detectors?
- Is your idea of using a chainsaw one that does not come with a brake?
The answers to all the above questions are probably going to be a resounding ‘No’. If you are considering technology to make all aspects of your life better and safer, why not think about its applications in the manufacturing of firearms?
In this article, we are going to discuss how technology is influencing this multi-billion dollar and controversial industry. We speak to leading names that are leading the change by integrating technology into the various processes of firearm manufacturing and use.
3D Technologies and Printing in the Manufacturing Process of Firearms
3D printing has come a long way from just printing out design models and concepts for architects. In fact, all industries from automobiles to clean energy are using 3D printing aggressively.
It comes as no surprise that revolutionary technology has come into use when it comes to the creation of firearms.
A 3D Printer is capable of printing from a variety of materials. These can be composites and synthetics that work well when it comes to manufacturing firearms. In fact, Solid Concepts, a company experimenting with 3D printing in Texas, created a workable model by using as a base the classic 1911.
3D printed firearms can be a great way to boost safety as they can be devoid of any mechanical and design flaws that can crop up into the manufacturing process. Many companies are now moving to full-size industrial printers to create life-size firearm models.
Tech Polymers are leading the way in terms of Materials for Construction of Firearms
Firearm manufacturers are always on the lookout for materials that can help make them-
- Lighter
- Sturdier
- Durable
- Temperature-Resistant
- Even Pressure Distribution
This is what is pushing them to experiment with polymers that have properties that enable them to bind and connect with anything from ceramics to nano-particles. What this has had the effect of doing is the even distribution of the pressure right through the various threads or particles of the firearm.
In simpler words, it allows for the movement of pressure from one point- the user’s hands and fingers and spreads it out all over the firearm. This makes it easier to use and far more accurate than traditional firearms.
What’s more- there are rapid advancements being made to make a case for the use of plastics in firearm manufacturing. A concealed carry holster already comes in a range of materials. Maybe it’s time that barrels too, a high-pressure point can benefit from the use of other materials.
The Rise of Smart Firearms and why everyone is not favorably disposed towards them
A more recent innovation has been the emergence of smart firearms that use chips and sensors to monitor and control safety mechanisms. For instance, a smart firearm will not fire if it is in the hands of someone that is not the rightful owner of the gun.
While this has been lauded as being something that can have a number of positive benefits, many have also referred to smart weapons as being against the 2nd Amendment of the Constitution. They point out that the use of a firearm for self-defense as enshrined in the Constitution should not be subject to technology.
Others state that this can help in a major way in controlling the corruption and illegality of firearm movement. However, the jury is still out on whether smart firearms can be a realistic possibility in the near future.
The Bottom Line
While military-grade tech benefitting from AI, AR and a host of other cutting-edge technological advancements, firearms for self-defense is still very much traditional and historical. Can you think of some other tech advancements that are being made in the realm of firearm manufacturing in the United States? Let us know in the comments below.
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