Ernst Mauch, the designer of the "smart gun" that is close to hitting shelves in the US, has written an op-ed in The Washington Post defending the technology. The gun, the Armatix iP1, only fires when paired with a companion watch worn by its owner. The technology sparked an uproar among gun rights advocates, who worry that the government will start mandating that all guns be smart. First, Mauch bolsters his gun cred by citing designs and patents he's worked on. Then: "I have a deep appreciation and respect for the United States’ firearms culture." The iP1 is not a threat to gun rights, he says; in fact "because this technology provides a positive and safer experience, I believe the number of gun enthusiasts will rise." Armatix's weapon is still not for sale anywhere in the US.