Making Smarter Guns

Last Friday, Springfield-based gun manufacturer Smith & Wesson committed to a "code of conduct" for the sales and distribution of handguns as well as a number of new gun safety and design standards to be implemented over the next year. In exchange for these commitments, the Departments of Housing and Urban Development and Treasury and state and local government officials agreed to dismiss pending lawsuits against the nation's largest gun manufacturer.

According to the commitment, external locking devices must be installed in all the company's new handguns within 60 days. Such a device enables the gun owner to immobilize the trigger. An internal locking device must be on all guns within 24 months. Guns must include a second "hidden" serial number provided by the manufacturer to counter criminals who obliterate serial numbers. And within 12 months, handguns must be designed so they cannot be readily operated by a child under the age of six.

These recent commitments come in the wake of a series of workplace shootings and last February's fatal shooting of a first-grader by a six-year-old classmate. Even though Smith & Wesson most likely made these commitments to avoid a drawn-out and expensive litigation process, we applaud the company's courage and leadership in raising the expectations for gun producer responsibility for their guns after production. We hope the other gun manufacturers implicated by the government's lawsuit will follow the lead of Smith & Wesson.

America's rate of firearm deaths for children is currently 12 times higher than the other 25 industrialized countries combined. Without a doubt, making guns childproof and preventing criminals and irresponsible venders from getting a hold of guns is a necessary and too long delayed step. The fact that gun makers are making these commitments without having to be compelled legally is commendable and will make a great difference in ensuring that these commitments are not sidestepped.

But gun manufacturers can only do so much. The government needs to take intelligent action to keep guns not only out of the hands of criminals, but also out of the hands of dangerously ignorant citizens. In order to buy a hunting license in most states, hunters must go through extended hunter safety courses. For public safety, drivers are required to demonstrate a minimum degree of competence. However, to purchase a handgun, a lethal weapon, citizens need only have cash. It is well within the bounds of reason to require some kind of training on the part of soon-to-be handgun owners.

Collectors, hunters and sport shooters are used to dealing with restrictions and complying with regulations. A waiting period for assault rifles and handguns is only reasonable. No convicted felon should be allowed to own a gun for any reason. But all of these arguments are already old tunes and well on their way to being enacted in legislation.

Smith & Wesson is doing its part to be more socially responsible, now it is the responsibility of the government, gun owners and other gun manufacturers to bite the proverbial bullet and do their part.