[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 4 (Thursday, January 7, 2016)]
[Presidential Documents]
[Pages 719-720]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2016-00198]


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  Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 4 / Thursday, January 7, 2016 / 
Presidential Documents  

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 Title 3--
 The President

[[Page 719]]

                Memorandum of January 4, 2016

                
Promoting Smart Gun Technology

                Memorandum for the Secretary of Defense[,] the Attorney 
                General[, and] the Secretary of Homeland Security

                For more than 20 years, the Federal Government has 
                worked to keep guns out of the wrong hands through 
                background checks. This critical effort in addressing 
                gun violence has prevented more than two million 
                prohibited firearms purchases from being completed. But 
                tens of thousands of people are still injured or killed 
                by firearms every year--in many cases by guns that were 
                sold legally but then stolen, misused, or discharged 
                accidentally. Developing and promoting technology that 
                would help prevent these tragedies is an urgent 
                priority.

                In 2013, I directed the Department of Justice to review 
                the availability and most effective use of new gun 
                safety technologies, such as devices requiring a scan 
                of the owner's fingerprint before a gun can fire. In 
                its report, the Department made clear that 
                technological advancements in this area could help 
                reduce accidental deaths and the use of stolen guns in 
                criminal activities.

                Millions of dollars have already been invested to 
                support research into a broad range of concepts for 
                improving gun safety. We must all do our part to 
                continue to advance this research and encourage its 
                practical application, and it is possible to do so in a 
                way that makes the public safer and is consistent with 
                the Second Amendment. The Federal Government has a 
                unique opportunity to do so, as it is the single 
                largest purchaser of firearms in the country. 
                Therefore, by the authority vested in me as President 
                by the Constitution and the laws of the United States 
                of America, I hereby direct the following:

                Section 1. Research and Development. The Department of 
                Defense, the Department of Justice, and the Department 
                of Homeland Security (departments) shall, to the extent 
                practicable and permitted by law, conduct or sponsor 
                research into gun safety technology that would reduce 
                the frequency of accidental discharge or unauthorized 
                use of firearms, and improve the tracing of lost or 
                stolen guns. Not later than 90 days after the date of 
                this memorandum, the Secretary of Defense, the Attorney 
                General, and the Secretary of Homeland Security shall 
                prepare jointly a report outlining a research and 
                development strategy designed to expedite the real-
                world deployment of such technology for use in 
                practice.

                Sec. 2. Department Consideration of New Technology. The 
                departments shall, to the extent permitted by law, 
                regularly (a) review the availability of the technology 
                described in section 1, and (b) explore potential ways 
                to further its use and development to more broadly 
                improve gun safety. In connection with these efforts, 
                the departments shall consult with other agencies that 
                acquire firearms and take appropriate steps to consider 
                whether including such technology in specifications for 
                acquisition of firearms would be consistent with 
                operational needs.

                Sec. 3. General Provisions. (a) Nothing in this 
                memorandum shall be construed to impair or otherwise 
                affect:

(i) the authority granted by law to a department or agency, or the head 
thereof; or

[[Page 720]]

(ii) the functions of the Director of the Office of Management and Budget 
relating to budgetary, administrative, or legislative proposals.

                    (b) This memorandum shall be implemented consistent 
                with applicable law and subject to the availability of 
                appropriations.
                    (c) This memorandum is not intended to, and does 
                not, create any right or benefit, substantive or 
                procedural, enforceable at law or in equity by any 
                party against the United States, its departments, 
                agencies, or entities, its officers, employees, or 
                agents, or any other person.

                Sec. 4. Publication. The Attorney General is hereby 
                authorized and directed to publish this memorandum in 
                the Federal Register.
                
                
                    (Presidential Sig.)

                THE WHITE HOUSE,

                    Washington, January 4, 2016

[FR Doc. 2016-00198
Filed 1-6-16; 8:45 am]
Billing code 4410-19-P