Limited use firearm

Abstract

A method for controlling a lifetime of a firearm including, but not limited to limiting a number of rounds a firearm can fire, wherein after a certain number of rounds have been fired, the firearm is rendered incapable of firing more rounds.

1 . A method for controlling a lifetime of a firearm comprising:
 limiting a number of rounds a firearm can fire, wherein after a certain number of rounds have been fired, said firearm is rendered incapable of firing more rounds.   
   
   
       2 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the certain number of rounds is predefined. 
   
   
       3 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the certain number of rounds is not predefined. 
   
   
       4 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein after the certain number of rounds has been fired, a portion of a firing mechanism of said firearm has a mechanical failure and becomes unfit for use. 
   
   
       5 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein after the certain number of rounds has been fired, an element disposed in said firearm moves to a position that prevents a firing mechanism of said firearm from firing a round. 
   
   
       6 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein after the certain number of rounds has been fired, an element disposed in said firearm moves to a position that prevents a round from being chambered for firing. 
   
   
       7 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein said firearm is provided with a shot counter and said shot counter triggers an action to render said firearm unfit for use upon counting the certain number of rounds. 
   
   
       8 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein after the certain number of rounds has been fired, said firearm is permanently rendered incapable of firing more rounds. 
   
   
       9 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein after the certain number of rounds has been fired, said firearm is temporarily rendered incapable of firing more rounds. 
   
   
       10 . The method according to  claim 1 , further comprising providing a warning before the certain number of rounds has been fired that the firearm will soon be rendered unfit for firing. 
   
   
       11 . The method according to  claim 5 , further comprising a processor that controls deployment of said element, said processor being programmable by a user to set the certain number of rounds to a user-selected number. 
   
   
       12 . The method according to  claim 6 , further comprising a processor that controls deployment of said element, said processor being programmable by a user to set the certain number of rounds to a user-selected number. 
   
   
       13 . The method according to  claim 7 , wherein said shot counter is programmable by a user to set the certain number of rounds to a user-selected number. 
   
   
       14 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein said firearm is provided with a remote-controllable element that renders said firearm unfit for use after the certain number of rounds. 
   
   
       15 . Apparatus comprising:
 a firearm comprising a firing mechanism and an element which is adapted to prevent said firing mechanism from firing a round after a certain number of rounds has been fired.   
   
   
       16 . The apparatus according to  claim 15 , wherein after the certain number of rounds has been fired, said element has a mechanical failure that renders said firearm unfit for use. 
   
   
       17 . The apparatus according to  claim 15 , wherein after the certain number of rounds has been fired, said element moves to a position that prevents said firing mechanism from firing a round. 
   
   
       18 . The apparatus according to  claim 15 , wherein after the certain number of rounds has been fired, said element moves to a position that prevents a round from being chambered for firing. 
   
   
       19 . The apparatus according to  claim 15 , wherein said element comprises a shot counter that triggers an action to render said firearm unfit for use upon counting the certain number of rounds. 
   
   
       20 . The apparatus according to  claim 15 , further comprising a processor that controls deployment of said element, said processor being programmable by a user to set the certain number of rounds to a user-selected number.