“Designed to improve gun safety.” Ohio entrepreneurs develop GPS tracking system for guns

Two Cincinnati entrepreneurs have developed a way to track your guns.

According to our news partners at WCPO in Cincinnati, GunAlert is a GPS tracking system that detects unauthorized movements, alerts users within seconds and helps them recover their firearms.

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Co-creator Tom Lehn told WCPO that the goal is to “make it easier for people to secure their guns and get notified when they move.”

This was a passion project for him as safe storage and handling were always a priority.

“I’ve been a gun guy since I was in the Boy Scouts as a teenager,” he said. “I served as a Boy Scout leader for over 35 years, teaching children how to use and shoot weapons. I believe the more kids know about gun safety, the better off we will be.”

The product uses cellular technology and an improved motion sensor. It syncs with a phone app and can be attached to the gun itself.

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When the weapon is moved, a notification is sent to the owner's phone. Once this alert is received, the user will receive location updates every five minutes, WCPO reported.

Gun owners can register weapons in the app and store information such as serial numbers. Lehn said information would be helpful in communicating with police.

Lehn also told WCPO that GunAlert is a given for gun owners.

“Our product is designed to improve gun safety, but it is still the gun owner's primary responsibility to ensure they care for their guns,” he said. “The cool thing about this product is that it doesn’t matter what side of the gun issue you’re on – whether you’re pro-gun or anti-gun – everyone should care about gun safety.”