Smartgun business may be forced to go to US

A businessman whose company is in late-stage White House talks to secure a multi-million dollar investment in gun safety technology has said he will probably have to repatriate his business out of Ireland because of restrictions on guns here.

Pat O’Shaughnessy and business partner Robert McNamara — both from west Limerick — say they are “very hopeful” of signing off on a deal in line with the Biden Commission’s proposals on gun control.

US vice president Joe Biden is heading up the commission and, according to Mr O’Shaughnessy, he is seriously considering making it regulatory for smartguns to be introduced in America.

Mr O’Shaughnessy said he was confident his company, TriggerSmart, will secure a major contract to license its technology to the US civilian market.

“It’s very likely. The reaction is very positive,” he said. “Everything is very positive, and we hope to have a major announcement in the coming weeks to continuing that ongoing relationship with the US government.”

TriggerSmart has developed and patented a user unique childproof radio frequency identification smartgun technology. It means only the authorised user can fire the weapon.

Mr O’Shaughnessy said the Irish Government and State job agencies have made it almost impossible for him to continue to keep the company based in Ireland.