Blocksafe Network has launched its infrastructure crowdsale to build the first Blockchain-based system for gun authentication and other smart gun functionality on the Blockchain.

Gun verification problems

The Chairman, Smartdefense.tech, Kevin Barnes sees a major problem with the adoption of the nascent ‘smart gun’ technologies. Barnes’ opinion stems from the fact that many gun owners fear having their verification placed in a centralized database that the government can monitor, which to many is a slippery slope in turning off the ability to use one’s own weapon.

According to Barnes, “Blocksafe has received strong interest from both Blockchain and gun industry leaders, and it is currently embarking on a crowdsale until July 15 at www.smartdefense.tech, where it is looking to raise at least $55,000 to build the first phase of this unique and valuable technology.”

Blocksafe network

Speaking to Cointelegraph, Barnes explains that the Blocksafe network will support myriad of hardware lock solutions. The mechanics may differ between manufacturers, but the logic will stay the same.

“The owner will have a choice depending on the manufactured lock as to how authentication is handled, such as biometrics, where all digits of a user are scanned using finger scan on the trigger lock, the firearm grip, or knowing a code to execute. The authentication data captured is compared to the authentication which is stored using encryption onto the local ledger of the device. The original stored authentication is setup in conjunction with an app on the smartphone via bluetooth and stored on the ledger of the phone and the device.

If authentication passes then the gun works as normal, otherwise it remains locked. The owner can have many users approved and can manage their user rights via the phone app or www.ledger.host using the Blockchain as a secure messaging system. This also enables the owner to disable a user's rights remotely when the device is connected to the Blocksafe network, but only the owner has the administration rights to do so.”

The government should appreciate benefits

Barnes retains the opinion that the government in general has recognized the use case of Blockchain technology. Thus, they have called for much research and many studies into its benefits to solve unsolved problems which currently exist in their systems.

“I assume the government will want to use Blocksafe as well, and be forced to respect the nature of the technology as it applies to guns they do not own. The government benefits from the network since the network helps smart devices improve safety in training, maintaining an inventory, firearm locations, and government user activities.”

Barnes describes the Blocksafe network as an infrastructure for smart devices on guns. He says that smart devices like trigger locks, magazines, and scopes can be purchased from retailers/manufacturers and can be removed and mounted on other guns at the device owner's discretion. The network, he says, will also support 3D-printed smart devices that wish to use the Blocksafe network.

Internet powered communication

Explaining further, Barnes says that the devices themselves will communicate through the internet securely to the Blocksafe ledger. The data is encrypted via an encrypted data key that is stored on the device which writes the data on the local ledger on the smart device. So, if a user authenticates, the authentication is instant as it does not need wireless connection to  access its built-in ledger. The device writes its data to the ledger instantly as activities occur.

“Once the device is connected to the Blocksafe network, it syncs the data from its local ledger. Then, only the owner can view the data via a smartphone app or via www.ledger.host. The reason only the owner can view the data is the data is encrypted on the network preventing public exposure of the device activities. So there are (2) keys: one private key as standard to write to a Blockchain ledger and one private data key to protect the owner's device data. If the owner wishes to share their devices' activity, they need to share the data key. The device never asks for gun information or user information as it is not needed in the first place for the smart device to operate properly. So even if the data key is revealed, it would be like finding a house key in the road. Whose lock does the key work with?” Barnes concludes.