Around The Home

Fingerprint sensors and GPS tracking keep your firearms safe inside the Gun Box

Fingerprint sensors and GPS tracking keep your firearms safe inside the Gun Box
Once a firearm is secured safely inside, the Gun Box unlocks with an RFID-equipped bracelet (or ring), via a fingerprint scan, or a combination of the two
Once a firearm is secured safely inside, the Gun Box unlocks with an RFID-equipped bracelet (or ring), via a fingerprint scan, or a combination of the two
View 12 Images
Once a firearm is secured safely inside, gun owners can unlock the Gun Box with an RFID-equipped bracelet (or ring), via a fingerprint scan, or a combination of the two
1/12
Once a firearm is secured safely inside, gun owners can unlock the Gun Box with an RFID-equipped bracelet (or ring), via a fingerprint scan, or a combination of the two
Inventor Ryan Hyde made sure to give the Gun Box a sleek design that wouldn't stand out too much in most homes
2/12
Inventor Ryan Hyde made sure to give the Gun Box a sleek design that wouldn't stand out too much in most homes
The safe's outer shell is made from a die-cast aluminum alloy that's comparable to the type used in aircraft
3/12
The safe's outer shell is made from a die-cast aluminum alloy that's comparable to the type used in aircraft
The Gun Box has been measured for a tensile strength of 24,000 psi and a melting temperature of over 1,000° F (538° C)
4/12
The Gun Box has been measured for a tensile strength of 24,000 psi and a melting temperature of over 1,000° F (538° C)
The locking mechanism uses motorized servos rather than magnets, which allows the safe to open at any angle or orientation, so it can be mounted on a wall or underneath a desk if needed
5/12
The locking mechanism uses motorized servos rather than magnets, which allows the safe to open at any angle or orientation, so it can be mounted on a wall or underneath a desk if needed
Once a firearm is secured safely inside, the Gun Box unlocks with an RFID-equipped bracelet (or ring), via a fingerprint scan, or a combination of the two
6/12
Once a firearm is secured safely inside, the Gun Box unlocks with an RFID-equipped bracelet (or ring), via a fingerprint scan, or a combination of the two
Inventor Ryan Hyde made sure to give the Gun Box a sleek design that wouldn't stand out too much in most homes
7/12
Inventor Ryan Hyde made sure to give the Gun Box a sleek design that wouldn't stand out too much in most homes
The back of the safe also features a pair of USB ports for charging devices as well as a port for a Kensington lock and cable, so it can be secured to a piece of furniture if needed
8/12
The back of the safe also features a pair of USB ports for charging devices as well as a port for a Kensington lock and cable, so it can be secured to a piece of furniture if needed
The locking mechanism uses motorized servos rather than magnets, which allows the safe to open at any angle or orientation, so it can be mounted to a wall or underneath a desk if needed
9/12
The locking mechanism uses motorized servos rather than magnets, which allows the safe to open at any angle or orientation, so it can be mounted to a wall or underneath a desk if needed
The inside measures 8.9 x 6.5 x 1.5 in (22.5 x 16.5 x 3.8 cm) – plenty of room for a single handgun or other small objects
10/12
The inside measures 8.9 x 6.5 x 1.5 in (22.5 x 16.5 x 3.8 cm) – plenty of room for a single handgun or other small objects
The back of the safe also features a pair of USB ports for charging devices as well as a port for a Kensington lock and cable, so it can be secured to a piece of furniture if needed
11/12
The back of the safe also features a pair of USB ports for charging devices as well as a port for a Kensington lock and cable, so it can be secured to a piece of furniture if needed
Once a firearm is secured safely inside, the Gun Box unlocks with an RFID-equipped bracelet (or ring), via a fingerprint scan, or a combination of the two
12/12
Once a firearm is secured safely inside, the Gun Box unlocks with an RFID-equipped bracelet (or ring), via a fingerprint scan, or a combination of the two
View gallery - 12 images

We've been impressed with the new fingerprint-locking feature on the iPhone 5s lately, but there are many other items aside from your smartphone data that could use the extra security as well. Ryan Hyde recently designed a heavy-duty gun safe that ditches the usual key and combination locks in favor of a more protective electronic one. Once a firearm is secured safely inside, gun owners can unlock the Gun Box with an RFID-equipped bracelet (or ring), via a fingerprint scan, or a combination of the two.

The safe's outer shell is made from a die-cast aluminum alloy that's comparable to the type used in aircraft, and the inside measures 8.9 x 6.5 x 1.5 in (22.5 x 16.5 x 3.8 cm) – plenty of room for a single handgun or other small objects. The box has been measured for a tensile strength of 24,000 psi and a melting temperature of over 1,000° F (538° C), so you won't have to worry about anything inside being damaged in a fire or accident. The hinges are also tucked away inside the case and the safe has a pry-resistant lap joint to prevent anyone from breaking into it.

The locking mechanism uses motorized servos rather than magnets, which allows the safe to open at any angle or orientation, so it can be mounted on a wall or underneath a desk if needed. While most people will likely keep the safe plugged in at all times, it does include a 1350 mAh battery backup, which the developers claim can maintain enough power for operation away from a wall outlet for several weeks.

The box can be programmed for multiple users, and Hyde made sure to give it a sleek design that wouldn't stand out too much in most homes. The back of the safe also features a pair of USB ports for charging devices as well as a port for a Kensington lock and cable, so it can be secured to a piece of furniture if needed.

The inside measures 8.9 x 6.5 x 1.5 in (22.5 x 16.5 x 3.8 cm) – plenty of room for a single handgun or other small objects
The inside measures 8.9 x 6.5 x 1.5 in (22.5 x 16.5 x 3.8 cm) – plenty of room for a single handgun or other small objects

For some added security, the Gun Box incorporates an accelerometer and will send an alert to your smartphone if it's moved or tampered with. Users can pay an additional fee to monitor its location through GPS at all times. The system can even be programmed to notify gun owners if the box fails to "check in" with the GPS tracker periodically, which could indicate an attempt to jam the signal.

Hyde and his development team are now running a crowd-funding campaign to produce the first batch of Gun Boxes and have begun taking pre-orders through Indiegogo. The Premier version includes all features and costs US$390, but the developers are also offering a model without the GPS tracking capabilities for $225 and another that opens via RFID only for $180. The Gun Box is expected to ship in December of this year.

Check out the video below to see some of the Gun Box's features in action.

Sources: The Gun Box, Indiegogo

The Gun Box: Gun Storage Evolved

View gallery - 12 images
7 comments
7 comments
MBadgero
Great idea. I do wish it was steel instead of aluminum.
Anne Ominous
The fingerprint scanners of the iPhone 5s have already been defeated via low-tech means.
I'd no more keep my guns in one of these than I'd put them in a kid's toybox.
Derek Howe
Price is pretty comparable to what's out there, I think the design is very good, easily the best looking gun safe I've ever seen.
A couple complaints: It plugs into an outlet...which is fine, but since it's already plugged in, why not throw some LED's in it so you can clearly see your gun in a dark room? My other complaint is that it looks too weak. I think I could bust this thing wide open with a hammer and 5 minutes. They should make a "destruction" video, where they torture test it.
Also they need some close-up shots of it's interior...I can't tell if the whole interior is metal/plastic/or foam...? If the interior is not wrapped in nice foam, your gun will rattle around when/if you transport it, and could scuff it up...which is important, cause some people have REALLY nice guns.
Bottom line, I'd buy it IF it had a foam interior and some LED's in it.
Joseph Mertens
OK they made with aluminum so the smart thief just gets some gallium and at structural points applies it then waits a bit then cracks it open like a piggy bank for the gun inside.
kellory
I do not like it.
RF chips can be used by anyone, including kids. something needs to remain hidden, a code, something that requires your consent. opening that box needs to be a voluntary act. not a bracelet or ring stripped from your fingers. It would at least slow down a thief if only ONE RF CHIP could be present. the presence of two or more should lock it more securely, or call the cops/ trigger the house alarm system/ ect. at least that way if the key type is known, they must know which one to approach with. the other is a trap.
GPS tracking of a small box? a Faraday bag would defeat that in seconds.
construction is too light duty. I could have that open in less than five minutes. Major mistake with homeowner safes, is they are never secured to the building, and remain mobile. this allows the thieves to simply take it all, and crack it at their leisure.
Norm Frey
Stating that the metal has a 1000 degree melting point does NOT mean that whatever is inside won't be severely damaged by high heat. And what do you think will happen to the electronics inside? How are you going to pry it open once the circuit is baked?
Also, you don't have to melt the gun to damage it from high heat. Especially many modern semi-auto pistols with polymer bodies.
Brandon Urednick
Bypass everything with this....doesn't make this secure at all! http://youtu.be/lKLiU7yMdbk