I decided to do some background reading on RFIDs as they apply to firearms, since MKS Supply claimed that their implementation in Chiappa firearms was for inventory control only and that the devices could only be read at a distance of 2-3 inches.
I started with the company mentioned in the press release stating that Chiappa would be implementing RFIDs in its firearms – Novarex Etichette. Before I did so, though, I noted with interest a phrase in the (Google translation) of the Chiappa press release.
It hard to removable without significantly altering the characteristics of the weapon.
My interest was sufficiently piqued.
Novarex Etichette is a company that makes, among other things, RFID devices for companies in various industries. I saw two links on the front page of their website related to firearms. One was titled “A New Design for RFID Novarex” and was on the company’s webpage, the other “Tracking ‘Sporting Weapons‘” and located on an Italian RFID news webpage.
You, the reader, can use Google Translate as effectively as I can. However, the portions of the first article that interested me started with the introduction:
An important innovation in the product’s warranty, but also a harbinger of further developments for personal safety
A harbinger of future developments for personal safety? Pull up a chair.
The closing portion of the second article was also very interesting:
Certainly the project represents a big step forward compared to traditional systems of traceability as the two main aspects such as:
impossible to duplicate an RFID tag
impossible to remove it without destroying the weapon
provide an answer to guarantee product safety and traceability of the same
Impossible to duplicate? Okay, that’s understandable. But impossible to remove without destroying the weapon? This isn’t inventory control at the manufacturer, this is intended to be a permanent tracking device.
It gets better, though. For dramatic effect, I’m going to jump back to the first article.
Being able to reconcile different needs, thanks to a joint effort of all involved, represents a major step forward compared to traditional systems of traceability in the interest of safety of the product and its buyers. Not only that it is impossible to duplicate an RFID tag and remove it without destroying the weapon guarantees the constant traceability, clear deterrent to any use of the weapon, other than sports and therefore at risk. Just think that applications are being studied to make the weapon harmless in situations identified as potentially hazardous.
Yeah. Let’s read that again, shall we?
Just think that applications are being studied to make the weapon harmless in situations identified as potentially hazardous.
“Just think” about that.
Couple of points:
1. While this may be the policy of Novarex Etichette, we don’t know if it’s the policy of Chiappa. Is Chiappa planning on making their weapons traceable, or did they just buy RFIDs from the most logical supplier, who happens to have these sorts of things on their website?
2. Like courting scientific funding on the premise of global warming, I imagine such a statement on your website is good for business in Europe. They may not actually have evil intentions, but rather have hired a $10/hr intern to “investigate the applicability of the technology.” This sort of strategy is market oriented, not R&D oriented, and is not uncommon. Popular policy sells. Then again, they may be True Believers. We don’t know.
3. The photos of the Chiappa revolver frame with an RFID chip did not look like removing the chip would destroy the firearm.
4. If Chiappa is smart, now that this thing is threatening to blow up in their face, they will seek a different supplier of RFID chips. I can’t possibly imagine they would have a larger market to court than the US civilian market, and this promises to be extremely threatening to their bottom line.
Sorry if I didn’t make it clear in the post, but I don’t think I intimated that the firearms produced by Chiappa were incorporating this (under development) technology.
The Chiappa press release did state that removing the RFID would be difficult.
Oh, no I wasn’t implying you were claiming that; just my immediate thoughts on the subject.
I just got a hold of and read the Chiappa press release, and their statement in their release does not line up with the prototype images they released, which suggests to me that they are just porting the statement from Novarex. Is Chiappa actually planning on utilizing RFIDs in this manner? Hard to say.
“…clear deterrent to any use of the weapon, other than sports and therefore at risk.”
How would this be effective unless the weapon were being tracked continuously?
Also, the device cannot be linked to any user other than the legal owner of the gun. Once again, only the law-abiding are punished.
It’s pretty simple – if the RFID tag is activated, it could then respond by disabling the gun. How? Remains to be seen, either electric primer ignition, or simply moving a small sear disconnect, really the easiest part of the concept. On a Glock, you simply deactivate the connection on the safety tab of the trigger. The entire works of the RFID could be housed inside the polymer casting with no access. Tampering would render it at least illegal, if not useless. And using an illegal gun, is.
The 2-3 inch range is complete BS, high end department stores have been using RFID tags on pilferables for decades. They found 65% or more of shoplifted items were EMPLOYEES going out the back door. Those large white buttons they had to pry out of interior seams paid for themselves in short order.
Now, we see how others want to expand the concept. I’m not even worried about guns, the end game is to tag YOU. If you don’t pay your taxes, or even have a parking ticket, try to get around town with access denied, and even traffic lights programmed to hold you up and notify the cop sitting across the street that YOU are RIGHT THERE.
We keep applying technology to be our moral minders, be careful what you ask for. Do you really want your debit card integrated into your cell phone to the point it’s mandatory? How do you buy food when there’s an arrest warrant out for political misspeak and your account is frozen? Can’t happen? Are you not aware that some Americans are rendered under Homeland Security and no judge has to publicly admit they were on trial in their courtroom, no public record made, and their incarceration is even kept a secret to their family?
Oh, those are bad guys? Can’t really say, they no longer “exist.” They are now a secret under National Security guidelines. Even the Almighty News Media is cooperating. Just like the gypsies, Catholics, then the Jews in Germany.
When you give away your rights for a little security, you lose your rights, duh. Flown on a plane lately?
That is frightening. My first thought was pop it (a handgun anyway) in the microwave and fry the RFID. But if that disables the weapon……no doubt Big Brother will be VERY interested in this technology.
As always you are right on with information we all need. I wonder if this could be placed on weapons without letting us know?
Here in the so-called Garden State, there has been a bill introduced almost every year since 2004 requiring RFID implants in firearms sold/xfer’d into NJ.
In order for this to work, I’m guessing so-called ‘smart’ technology would have to be ready for production.