Chiappa Firearms has announced that they intend to install RFID chips in their firearms, commencing appx a year from now. They state that this is for production efficiencies and to make it easier to comply with Italian law.

 

Bloggers, while not disbelieving Chiappa & MKS (the US distributor), were quick to point out that RFID chips can be detected (maybe not read, but detected) at distances much greater than the 3" Chiappa stipulates is the range. The fear here is that they will be used for covert weapon detection among civilians.

 

To add fuel to the fire, MKS released a press release (follows) ridiculing their intended customers as being paranoid conspiracy theorists.

 

Now I have been advised, on several occasions, to don my tin foil hat, and this may yet be another. I object to this on the grounds of the continuous trend of electronic erosion of our privacy. If this is to be simply a production efficiency, why not connect the tags to the firearms with some easily removed method, by the consumer? Nylon tie wraps spring to mind (I don't want to have to take the grips off and pry a hot glued chip off the frame, possibly damaging the finish - besides, this is NJ where they will probably mandate that it remain intact).

 

I think Chiappa/MKS have shot themselves in the foot with the American consumer, and I e-mailed MKS (in Dayton, OH) to that effect. You, the consumer, are the deciding factor - what do you think?

 

Discuss.

 

Adios,

 

Pizza Bob

 

Here's the MKS Press Release...

 

MKS Distributing, Dayton OH, July, 2011-Distributor for Chiappa Firearms

 

Recently there has been some blogger activity (credibility always guaranteed) concerning Chiappa Firearms putting a RFID (radio frequency identification) in Chiappa Firearms. Yes, but Chiappa will not be using the RFID system for at least a year.

 

RUMOR: (known as blogosphere food): The erroneous information about some sort of "chip" was put out by a blogger who translated Chiappa (Italian) technical information incorrectly. The incorrect translation and his interpretation came out as some sort of a GPS type tracking "chip" -which RFID isn't as it cannot transmit anything-it has NO power source (unlike cell phones).

 

THE FACTS: Recently several Italian gun makers (not just Chiappa) decided to utilize RFID technology to improve manufacturing and provide more accurate inventory control. We guarantee this technology will proliferate to other gun makers world wide as it is so efficient for everything from production QC control to export/import varification. Other industries already use passive RFID technology such as on DVDs, sunglasses, clothes and even some food products for example.

 

Basically Chiappa RFID (again it is radio frequency identification) assists the manufacturing process, inventory control and shipping. The type of information on the RFID ties in the firearm and proof house verification; the latter is required by the Italian Government for all firearms made in Italy. Passive RFID is also a final check that verifies that what is inside the sealed box is the same thing as shown on the box exterior bar code during shipping. Now, it will no longer be necessary to open/inspect hundreds of boxes by hand prior to packing in export containers.

 

BOTTOM LINE: The Chiappa PASSIVE RFID can be read ONLY when passed within (2-3 inches) of an active (and powered) reader that is dialed in for the particular long antenna radio frequency of the RFID-this is not random. And it will NOT go into operation for a year or more.

 

SUMMARIZING: RFIDs have NO power source or GPS locator. Rest assured they are NOT transmitting your identification and location information to a Chiappa Firearm tasked CIA satellite.

 

RFID Removal: For those still concerned you can simply remove the grip and remove the hot glued RFID from the frame in the grip area when (over a year from now) these begin to appear. Others may prefer to wrap the revolver and their head in aluminum foil, curl in a ball and watch reruns of Mel Gibson's 1997 film, Conspiracy Theory. Well, that's a plan too!

Or....... we simply don't buy Chiappa's crap!

Or....... we simply don't buy Chiappa's crap!

Apparently almost ALL of the Italian Gun Makers have sides with their Govt in a ban on importing "Black Rifles"..sadly including Tanfoglio, as well as most of the ones that those of us who shoot CAS use as well, UBerti, Pietta, Armi Sport, ect..there is a large thread on it on ARF

I have the chiappa 1911-22 and its not that bad. I get a jam every once in a while but not much. Great for a cheap plinker but nothing more. Was thinking about doing work to it, asked to order parts and the company does not help you at all. customer service has gotten crappy. Im now thinking of selling this pistol and moving away from them only because of their customer service.

Good thing it's not hard to fry an RFID chip

Buy American, problem solved.

RFID chips are a really cool technology. If they are not powered they can only be read from a very close proximity. If they are powered though the distance is much greater, but still not more than 20ft or so. If a longer distance is needed then more power and circuitry will be needed.

 

Anyway, it is bad enough with all the crap we have to deal with here in NJ, no way is he-dbl hickey stick would I put-up with even more crappola like that!

Who gives a crap if it is a passive device with no power source. The thing gives up information indiscriminately with the proper equipment at a distance. If they like it so much for manufacturing, why not keep a tag on it that gets removed at time of purchase like most every other gun. They can toy with their RFID in the factory to save them all kinds of money on their billions of Chiappa's they are pumping out. , Then you simply clip it off the trigger guard like any other gun after you purchase it. Gluing it on the inside of the handgrip... that's plain and simple subversion as not everyone will be educated to know it is there.

 

I don't want anything with RFID that I don't know about, especially not my guns.

If they are not powered they can only be read from a very close proximity.

 

 

Think so?

 

http://venturebeat.com/2010/07/30/hacker-tries-to-read-a-radio-identification-tag-from-29-floors-up/

 

Excuse me while I get fitted for my hat.

 

Adios,

 

Pizza Bob

Good thing it's not hard to fry an RFID chip

 

Yep, put it in the microwave oven, permanently fried.

Yep, put it in the microwave oven, permanently fried.

 

Wouldn't the microwave short out?

Wouldn't the microwave short out?

 

Sure would but look pretty cool up until that point.

 

i see a youtube opportunity here.

 

Harry

Harry what if we nuked one of those "plastic" guns they claim can get past airport security?

Wouldn't the microwave short out?

 

You only have to put the tag in the microwave for 5 seconds. Even if it's attached to a gun it probably wouldn't short out the microwave.

Think so?

 

http://venturebeat.com/2010/07/30/hacker-tries-to-read-a-radio-identification-tag-from-29-floors-up/

 

Excuse me while I get fitted for my hat.

 

Adios,

 

Pizza Bob

 

Yes, you are correct. If there is a will (or money involved) there is a way.

 

Same sort of thing happened years ago around here. Guys were sitting in vehicles alongside roadways using HP equipment to intercept cell phones and then using the stolen cell phone numbers to call long distance. I worked for HP at the time and we had the test equipment those hackers were using, but we couldn't figure it out!

 

I don't need any RFID tags in my guns. The government already knows too much about what I have.

You only have to put the tag in the microwave for 5 seconds. Even if it's attached to a gun it probably wouldn't short out the microwave.

 

 

Thanks. I see on TV when they put metal in it arcs so wasn't sure.

Good thing it's not hard to fry an RFID chip

Haha, i was gonna say that!! Any word on where it is located on the firearm? if you can get to it you can destroy it. And if you can't like said a microwave will do the trick, You can also short it(i've herd tasers being used to do it).