Firearms and blockchain

Professor Thomas Heston came up with the idea of ​​creating a database to store information about firearms using blockchain technology. In his article, Heston writes that gun owners will be able to upload data to an electronic safe. This information will be linked to the person's biometric markers.

This database will help track the production and sale of weapons, the information will be instantly checked automatically. Heston believes that such an approach will help protect the information of gun owners and reduce the number of victims of their criminal use. Another benefit would be increased accuracy of background checks.

Heston says there are barriers to the adoption of blockchain technology. 

"Like any new technology, blockchain needs to be developed. One of the potential risks is the high cost of initial investment. Such activity should be clearly regulated, so I think the federal government will take a leadership role."

Heston is not alone in thinking this way. Kevin Barnes, founder of Blocksafe, which also has a firearms accounting app, recently said, "Decentralized applications can be very useful to companies in the gun industry. For example, a company makes a device. The manufacturer can install an app like that on their device and it will allow them to keep records and track its movement."

Pros and Cons

There are obvious pros and cons of using blockchain technology to account for guns through national registration. This will improve the quality of control. Some believe it will also help reduce theft and misuse of guns in crime-ridden areas, since such a device is very easy to track.

Despite this, some people are against using blockchain technology in this way. The state of Arizona has approved a bill that would ban any decentralized technology for gun registration. The ban was due to privacy issues. Nick Schroer, a Missouri state representative, has filed a similar bill in his state. On privacy issues, he says: "Legislative Council members are very concerned about having a third party keep track of how many shots were fired with a particular weapon. The people I've spoken with in our state, whether they own a gun or not, believe that privacy should prevail."."

Overall, the idea of ​​using blockchain technology for gun control has increased interest in an already controversial issue. Both sides provide compelling arguments. However, such an initiative would have to come from the federal government, since each state has its own legislation.

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