Taurus Enters High-Tech Partnership

Just as this issue went to press, Taurus International Manufacturing, Inc., announced that they have formed a trilateral partnership to fasttrack the development of firearms that electronically recognize preauthorized individual users. The partnership was formed "to address the long-sought response to the quest for a firearm that will instantly and reliably recognize authorized operators of the equipment.

The new handgun will use the patented Dynamic Grip Recognition biometry-authoriz wned by the New Jersey Institute of Technology This, combined with iring y Metal Storm, Ltd. will be developed into a total handgun un will incorporate the Metal Storm O’D wyer VLe Technology in a platform to be built and integrated by Taurus with the NJIT biometry.

Recognizing the specific grip exerted by various individuals, the NJIT system will allow each firearm to be programmed so that pre-authorized users will be able to instantly operate the firearm. The O’D wyer VLe system is anew and unique approach to firing projectiles. Entirely electronic, the system utilizes precharged barrels holding multiple projectiles that are fired by electronic ignition.

Taurus will provide the platform that integrates the NJIT and Metal Storm technologies into a firearm that uses on-board electronics to recognize the operator and to fire the projectile while using a minimum of moving parts. "Having the opportunity to partner Taurus firearms advanced engineering with the New Jersey Institute of Technology and Metal Storm, Ltd, presents the firearms world with a combined wealth of science that will likely revolutionize ballistics, solid-state technology, and specific user identification, said Robert G.

Morrison, Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of Taurus International Manufacturing, Inc. Each partner has individually developed methodology that, combined, will provide an extraordinary shooting system that will forever change the course of firearms technology both in scope and flexibility. Recognizing the growing trend in some states toward useridentifying handguns, Taurus is striving to make firearms that will be allowed for purchase in these areas.

Taurus, however, says it will continue to produce its regular line of mechanically operated and secured firearms for the foreseeable future. Taurus International Manufacturing, Inc. is a Florida corporation that imports and distributes firearms manufactured by Forjas Taurus, in Brazil, as well as manufacturing firearms in their Miami facility.

In the area of innovation, Taurus produces the forged Total Titanium handguns, along with the first integral locking device on production handguns known as the Taurus Security System introduced in 1996. Editor Keith Lawrence Technical