Weapon control system

Abstract

A firearm control system for a firearm authorized for use by a person having a validated identity comprises a firearm having a frame, barrel, firing mechanism and trigger. An interlock system is provided for enabling and disabling operation of the firearm, the interlock system being disposed on the frame and including a communications/control module, a trigger module operatively connected to the communication/control module, and operatively connected to the trigger to sense attempted operation of the trigger by a user and send signals to the communications/control module, and a firing mechanism module operatively connected to the communication/control module, and to the firing mechanism to enable or disable operation of the firing mechanism. The interlock system operates to enable and disable operation of the firearm based on signals sent to, and received from, the communications/control module.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A firearm control system for a firearm authorized for use by a person having a validated identity, the system comprising:
 a firearm having a frame, barrel, firing mechanism and trigger, the trigger being operatively connected to the firing mechanism such that selective operation of the trigger causes the firing mechanism to operate and fire the firearm;   an interlock system for enabling and disabling operation of the firearm, the interlock system being disposed on the frame and including
 a communications/control module, 
 a trigger module operatively connected to the communication/control module to send and receive signals therebetween, and operatively connected to the trigger to sense attempted operation of the trigger by a user and send signals to the communications/control module, and 
 a firing mechanism module operatively connected to the communication/control module to send and receive signals therebetween, and to the firing mechanism to enable or disable operation of the firing mechanism; 
   wherein the interlock system operates to enable and disable operation of the firearm based on signals sent to, and received from, the communications/control module.   
     
     
         2 . A firearm control system in accordance with  claim 1 , wherein the communication/control module receives external signals indicative of current validated identity information and, upon receipt of signals from the trigger module, the communication/control module compares the current validated identity information to a predetermined validated identity of the authorized user stored in the interlock system, and sends responsive signals to the firing mechanism module that disables operation of the firing mechanism if the validated identities do not match. 
     
     
         3 . A firearm control system in accordance with  claim 1 , wherein the communication/control module receives external signals indicative of a current geographic location of the firearm and, upon receipt of signals from the trigger module, the communication/control module compares the current geographic location to a list of prohibited locations stored in the interlock system, and the sends responsive signals to the firing mechanism module that disables operation of the firing mechanism if the current geographic location is a prohibited location. 
     
     
         4 . A firearm control system in accordance with  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a biometrically-enabled token (“BET”) that is associated with a biometrically validated identity of an authorized user and is configured to be worn or carried by the authorized user;   the BET including a body and a BET communication/control module attached to the body;   the BET communication/control module communicating with the communication/control module of the firearm to send signals indicative of current validated identity information.   
     
     
         5 . A firearm control system in accordance with  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a biometrically-enabled token (“BET”) that is associated with a biometrically validated identity of an authorized user and is configured to be worn or carried by the authorized user;   the BET including a body and a BET communication/control module attached to the body;   the BET communication/control module communicating with the communication/control module of the firearm to send signals indicative of the distance between the BET token and the firearm.   
     
     
         6 . A firearm control system in accordance with  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a biometrically-enabled token (“BET”) that is associated with a biometrically validated identity of an authorized user and is configured to be worn or carried by the authorized user;   the BET including a body and a BET communication/control module attached to the body;   the BET communication/control module communicating with the communication/control module of the firearm to send signals indicative that the BET token was removed from the authorized user.