HARTFORD – U.S. Senator Chris Murphy (D-Conn.) and U.S. Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.) applauded the U.S. Department of Justice on Friday after it released the Draft Baseline Specifications for Law Enforcement Service Pistols with Security Technology report, written by experts from federal law enforcement agencies to advance and expedite real-world deployment of smart gun technology. The report, which was ordered in April 2016 as part of a multi-pronged plan to expand and encourage the development of “smart gun” technology, outlines “baseline specifications” and operational requirements for any firearms equipped with gun safety technology. It is currently open for public comment. 

“Now that the government has laid out basic technical specs for smart guns, firearm manufacturers across the country can get to work making them a reality,” said Murphy. “In a world where thumbs secure smartphones, there’s no reason why we can’t use technology to reduce accidental deaths and ensure guns are fired only by their owner. Today’s report marks a major step forward in achieving that. I’m determined to do everything I can to see reliable, lifesaving smart guns on the market.”

Blumenthal said, “A nation that can put a man on the moon also can develop smart guns capable of saving lives – the purpose of this profoundly important presidential initiative. Smart gun technology must be part of a national strategy to fight gun violence, and the private sector has a crucial role that is recognized by this report. Just as we made safer cars, drugs, and many other modern devices, this initiative is simple common sense as well as good science – and long overdue. This report should be another step toward life-saving gun technology.”

Murphy and Blumenthal have been strong advocates for smart gun technology and recently vowed to take all possible action to advance the technology. In a hearing with Attorney General Loretta Lynch earlier this year, Murphy requested that the federal government leverage their ability to procure guns with smart technology to promote research among private gun manufacturers and sellers, ultimately improving gun safety across the board.