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Brooklyn Borough President Promises $1 Million To College That Develops 'Smart Gun' Technology

NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) -- If gun makers refuse to invest in developing "smart gun" technology, then Brooklyn Borough President Eric Adams says college students should.

The so-called smart gun technology would make it so that the weapon would only fire if the registered owner's finger is on the trigger.

Adams told WCBS 880's Alex Silverman there would also be a way to track a lost or stolen gun.

"The same way you say 'find my phone,' you can find that gun," he said.

According to the borough president, when gun manufacturers tried to develop smart guns, the National Rifle Association unleashed its fury and they backed off the idea.

Now, Adams is promising $1 million to the college that comes up with the best plan.

"When you put things out in the universe and allow the bright minds of college campuses to get it, exciting things can happen," he said.

NRA spokesman Lars Dalseide said the organization is not against smart guns.

"We've never been against the development of the technology. We've just been against the mandated use of it," he said.

Adams, a former police officer, hopes once the technology is in hand, lawmakers will be willing to mandate it. He said the NYPD has agreed to test a prototype.

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