It's impossible, in this day and age, to pick up a stranger's password-protected mobile phone and send a text. It's easy to steal anyone's gun and fire away.

It makes no sense for lethal weapons to be less protected than communications and entertainment devices. So President Barack Obama wants the government to assist in the development of smart-gun technology, which has the potential to reduce the number of preventable deaths.

The need is great. At least 278 children unintentionally killed or injured someone with a gun last year, and at least 84 have done so already in 2016. Additional suicides and murders have been committed by people using guns that did not belong to them.

Personalized firearms, enabled by biometric sensors or, for example, a bracelet worn around the owner's wrist, would also strengthen personal accountability -- which is not a priority for the gun lobby.

http://www.oregonlive.com/opinion/index.ssf/2016/05/smarter_guns_can_lead_the_us_t.html