Last month, President Barack Obama urged the departments of Defense, Justice and Homeland Security to study the technology. In addition, 60 percent of Americans surveyed said they’d be willing to buy a “smart,” “personalized” or “childproof” firearm, according to a recent poll conducted by researchers from Johns Hopkins, Harvard and Northeastern University.

The Smart Tech Challenges Foundation, spearheaded by Conway, aims to get more smart people building the technology. Since 2014, the nonprofit has donated more than $1 million total to a dozen designers creating safer guns. Many are poised to take the next step: seeking venture capital to launch their companies.

CNET News