Gun Control: Restricting Indiscriminate Access to Guns with Blockchain

The mass shooting in Parkland, Florida, was tragic because it happened. Furthermore, it wasn’t the first mass shooting and certainly won’t be the last. The deadliest school shootings since Sandy Hook have all taken place within the United States. However, that doesn’t mean there aren’t similar attacks occurring elsewhere in the world. Thankfully, blockchain technology may provide a solution to this problem. That’s if we can find the political will to use it and put the necessary restrictions on its use to keep citizens safe while allowing law enforcement to perform their duties. Why We Need Blockchain-Based Gun Registry? Existing solutions require manual reporting of guns. However, blockchain technology allows owners to register their guns automatically. The technology creates a secure and digital ledger of ownership for each gun with two key benefits. First, using smart contracts, gun sellers would automatically know if they are selling to someone authorized to own a gun (and thus can purchase one). Second, law enforcement can check its blockchain history every time someone uses a gun in a crime or in an accident. This can provide them with a real-time view of its owner’s behavior. It can also reduce confusion over whether it was used in any crimes. It is possible to build a similar system for those seeking firearms training and those who want certification as safe or responsible owners. This will help reduce accidental shoot...