Intelligent Guns In The Age Of The Assassin

“The only person who could ever miss with this gun would be the sucker with the bread to buy it.”– Peter (Ken Foree), Dawn of the Dead (1978)

TrackingPoint, the Austin, TX-based manufacturer of high-end rifles for wealthy hunters has introduced its Precision Guided Firearm (PGF) to the public. Using technology based on the tactical locking systems used in fighter aircraft, the scope on TrackingPoint’s XS1 Precision Guided Firearm, with 300 Lapua Magnum, is a high-precision tool capable of locking onto a target, holding the electronic trigger until the rifle is perfectly aligned, and then allowing for a shot over truly stunning distances. TrackingPoint’s promotional video shows the scope and rifle used to hunt such fearsome animals such as zebras, water buffalo, and that ancient monster of the savannah, the ostrich, from more than 1,000 feet away. The gun even allows for accurate shooting from a moving helicopter. Using the PGF systems, everyone proves to be a true Bungalow Bill, firing away from a safe distance and hitting the target every time like the Great White Hunters of their dreams. While nowhere near as elegant as the U.S. military’s XM25 CDTE grenade launching system with its intelligent shells and designer trajectory, the XS1 PGF is nevertheless an important step in the ongoing linking of scope and firing technology on handheld weapons.

The TrackingPoint system allows hunters to safely take out all sorts of dangerous animals, such as antelope and water buffalo from more than a thousand feet away.

As should be obvious, I like guns.

The Tracking Point XS3 Precision Guided Firearm 300 Winchester Magnum is one beautiful weapon to boot.

Guns satisfy something primal in my character. Something basic, uncivilized, and raw. I like their power, I enjoy their destructive ability. Guns, heck, weapons in general, give that angry little monkey, buried deep inside my head, a total hard-on. However, I’m also an urbane and if I may say, civilized human being, so I understand that the primal enjoyment I get out of blowing some target to hell with a bunch of wasted firepower is playing to my most basic urges. I can be more or less fully trusted with a weapon and would never use one to commit any kind of crime or cause harm. I would shed some serious tears if I accidentally hit a bird, let alone a kid. And I bet that’s true for most of us, that we wouldn’t commit a crime or cause harm, but then again, that monkey with the hard-on is true for most of us too. This is exactly why some people out there shouldn’t be allowed anywhere near weapons of any kind, and also why despite being truly impressed with the technology behind the PGF, I’m not exactly comfortable with this weapon system being released to the general public.

View from PGF Scope

I know that in recent weeks, admitting to being a fan of a good firearm is not popular. Who can blame anyone for being leery? No sooner do we catch our breath from one senseless shooting tragedy when up pops the next one, and the next, and God help us all, the next. Meanwhile, as our children are sacrificed on the altar of political gamesmanship, certain gun-loving Americans have taken this opportunity to behave in the most asinine and just plain childish manner possible. Enraged that the evil, communist, Nazi, and socialist government might in any way limit their ability to possess levels of firepower capable of wiping out a dozen people in one burst, these concerned citizens have reacted with the same kind of temper tantrums my kids had when they were four and I wouldn’t let them stay up past 9 PM. However, these fit-throwing adults have heavy firepower added to the pouting and foot stomping.

Kids are Hell

Much of the anger in the gun argument comes, at least in my opinion, from how the so-called pro-gun, or pro-second amendment, side has framed the conversation as being about this complete dictatorial ban on guns versus God, Mom, and the U.S. Constitution. The reality is that most Americans aren’t all that supportive of a draconian gun ban where the ever popular men in the black helicopters go door to door collecting dad’s shotgun, mom’s revolver, and little Timmy’s beloved Red Ryder BB gun. Recent polling, however, does indicate that a true majority of Americans are interested in some smaller steps including universal background check for all gun sales, stopping the sale of high capacity magazines, and on the far end, possibly limiting the sale of semi-automatic assault weapons. As I see it, the introduction of the Precision Guided Firearm, a single action hunting rifle capable of turning any shooter into an expert sniper, takes the argument to a new and even more complicated level.

A Pink BB Gun for the Girls

The XS1 PGF costs around $15,000 with the top-end XS3 setting you back a cool $20,000, but don’t kid yourself that these puppies are going to be too expensive for the average criminal, psychopath, terrorist, or assassin. Priced at less than a small car, the XS3 is exactly the type of weapon that serious collectors and Los Angeles gang leaders buy as status symbols. So, look out when someone hooks one of these scopes up to a weapon capable of firing a burst. Sure you’ll lose some range, but accuracy from even a short distance is a drive-by gangster’s wet dream. Certainly, I’d love the chance to play with one or all three of these beautiful weapons, because TrackingPoint has created a truly exceptional series of guns here. Yet, I keep slamming headfirst into that problem shared by so many other gun lovers out there. I’d trust myself with that kind of firepower, but I’m not so certain I’d trust you. Maybe, just maybe, it might not be a bad idea during the ongoing debate, conversation, cat fight over guns, that along with magazines, background checks, and semi-automatics, we also take a moment to consider the long-term effects computer and imaging technology are going to bring to hand weapons.

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TrackingPoint Demonstration Video

In a more positive example involving the integration of new technology and guns, Irish company TriggerSmart, reportedly has had real success with its prototype Smart Gun. These Smart Guns are weapons equipped with RFID chips and electronic trigger technology that makes it so the guns can only be fired by the authorized user. Granted, this technology hasn’t been without its own controversy, being opposed by both anti-gun organization and the National Rifle Association. Of course, what upsets the NRA about Smart Guns is the potential ability to turn off their firing capability with a cellphone. Because I haven’t been one of those guys who thought we needed guns for the day we overthrow our tyrannical government, I don’t actually have a serious objection to a weapon that can be turned off by long distance.

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TriggerGuard and their Smart Gun

According to Gallup, some 47% of American homes possess at least one weapon. Realistically, that number isn’t going to change dramatically anytime soon. With those numbers,  its unsurprising that the spectre of gun violence is a real issue with some 36,000 deaths last year connected to guns. The people out there who try to make the case that it is un-American to discuss guns because of the constitutional issues ignore our responsibility as citizens to seriously review our laws and decide what changes are appropriate in our modern world. I keep writing about the new reality, drones, defense systems, CROWS, smart guns, and super scopes, and it’s clear to me that the technology of weapons is far ahead of where most people believe. A surprisingly large number of people were stunned to discover that something as relatively simple as an AR-15 was commonly available to the general public, and they certainly don’t have much of an idea about the existence of weapons such as a Precision Guided Firearm. I’m pretty sure if most people did know these weapons exist, they’d be kind of terrified at the possibilities.

I know I am.