Buckeye Reporter

Kai Kloepfer, founder and CEO of Biofire, has publicly opposed the idea of mandating "smart gun" technologies. Testifying before Massachusetts' Special Legislative Commission on Emerging Firearm Technology, Kloepfer emphasized the importance of consumer choice, even as discussions about mandating new technologies in firearms persist. Kloepfer has stated, “We are proud to offer the Biofire Smart Gun as a new option for consumers. And we firmly believe that personalized firearm technology should remain a choice for responsible gun owners, one innovative solution among many. Mandates of personalized firearm technology, however well-intentioned, backfire by unintentionally stifling innovation and creating a backlash against adoption of the technology that such mandates intend to promote.”

Kloepfer's company, Biofire, has released the first commercially available authorized-user technology-equipped firearm. Despite that, Kloepfer strongly believes in the voluntary adoption of such technologies rather than making it mandatory through legislation. He noted, "Before I delve deeper, let me state Biofire’s core policy position clearly: We oppose any law that would mandate, whether de jure or de facto, the use or sale of personalized firearm technology. We aim to develop technology that delivers choices, not restricts them."

In Massachusetts, one of the states with the strictest gun control laws, the commission was established to explore emerging firearm technologies, including so-called "smart guns." This move is consistent with the state's history of stringent gun regulation, requiring potential gun buyers to complete an intensive application process and adhere to restrictive purchasing rules. Yet, as policymakers continue to search for solutions to curtail gun misuse, there are criticisms that these measures focus too much on technology and not enough on enforcement.

According to the press release, "Gun control lawmakers are looking for a panacea to solve the issue of criminals misusing firearms. The problem isn’t with the laws. It’s with the will of lawmakers, prosecutors, district attorneys, and attorneys general to enforce the laws. Restricting gun sales to only 'smart guns' isn’t smart."

Biofire's stance represents a principled stand in industry discussions on gun regulations. Their commitment to consumer choice was further demonstrated with legal actions such as filing an amicus letter in Boland v. Bonta, contesting California's Unsafe Handgun Act. Biofire also collaborates with projects aimed at enhancing firearm security, such as NSSF's Project ChildSafe.

Kloepfer maintains that his company’s goal is to align with both firearms community stakeholders and policymakers to ensure technology is embraced for proving its value voluntarily, not through restrictive mandates. "I want to be very clear here: The Americans who choose our technology do so trusting that we support their freedom of choice. The existence of the technology, and our ability to develop it, rests upon that foundation of trust," he asserted.