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”
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.
Here is the only Press Release that I have been able to find (which I linked to in my original post).
I have contacted the company, so we will see if they want to talk about things in greater detail. I really want to see what Chiappa has to say first, but I stand by my original snark which implied that this is going to greatly hurt their sales. I dont know how much was mistranslated from the press release, but I can assure you that gun owners dont want any kind of chip on their firearms (passive or not). This will certainly put seeds of skepticism into the minds of potential customers. Yes, theoretically, these chips would not be written to once they leave the factory, but I dont really want to rely on the hope that abuse will not occur. If our beloved governmental officials can cook up a travesty the likes of Gunwalker, then what is to say that they would not try to abuse the fact that there are guns out there with RFID chips already installed from the factory?
And... ummm... This is not an opening for gun registration how?
*I will also add that what was published over at Shooting Illustrated was the original Chiappa Press Release verbatim (I was shocked when I first read it and never thought a company would take that tone in a press release). I also found it published online here, and at AmmoLand (AmmoLand also confirmed it as the official press release). Here it is in its entirety... Take notice the statement at the end:
RFID "Chip" in Chiappa Firearms-what's up with that?
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!
Yeah, I figured it would be able to be removed (with a grinder at the very least), but did you notice the overall tone of contempt for gun bloggers (and gun owners in general) throughout the piece? Good grief!
Here is their marketing company. I will point out that they also do the marketing for Hi-Point Firearms.
Their contact info:
Charles Brown, President
cbrown@mkssupply.com
cbrown@mkssupply.com
Kelly Walton, Vice President
kwalton@mkssupply.com
kwalton@mkssupply.com
All other correspondence:
info@mkssupply.com
info@mkssupply.com
Mailing Address
MKS Supply
8611-A North Dixie Drive
Dayton, Ohio 45414
Telephone:MKS Supply
8611-A North Dixie Drive
Dayton, Ohio 45414
(877) 425-4867
Fax:
(937) 454-0503
