RFID ‘Chip’ In Chiappa Firearms – What’s Up With That?
This announcement is direct from MKS Supply, Inc., the US marketer for Chiappa Firearms, and is to clarify concerns over the future use of RFID tags. – AmmoLand
Dayton, OH –-(Ammoland.com)- Â 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 cover 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!
About:
MKS Supply, Inc.
8611-A North Dixie Drive
Dayton, OH, 45414
937-901-0363
For more info visit –Â www.mkschiappa.com
I would say mks supply and president charles brown are far from failing. I have known charlie brown for some time and I will tell you he is a man of great humor, integrity, and always putting others before himself. I was 22 when I met him and i was just a kid who just got laid off due to the economy and was having a hard time with life. Charlie didn’t just lay off and turn people away when business got slow, he didn’t even need an extra guy but he hired me at great pay and offered me… Read more »
Wow! A PR firm wrote this condescending drivel? Nothing like blaming the consumer to drive them away. Then there's the issue with the false "facts" such as a "2-3 inches." The equipment that Chiappa uses may be set up for 2-3 inches, but the issue has nothing to do with the supply chain processes. The consumer cares about what happens after the retail sale and the consumer owns the product. An RFID chip will definitely help the bottom line as it is much more efficient for the company, distributors, etc. However, if the chip is visible and easily removable, then… Read more »
Track guns? lol!!! NO. Track criminals? HECK yes. They need to apply this kind of technology to track felons and leave us law-abiding citizens alone.
I have to agree with the previous comment about the level of condescension displayed by Chiappa toward people who might be considering purchasing their product. The only way I would buy one of these weapons, is if the dealer would remove the RFID tag and hand it to me, before I fill out any paperwork. That's not likely to happen.
Oh, by the way, Chiappa… Mel Gibson's character in Conspiracy Theory, turned out to be RIGHT!
I don’t see what the big deal is here, RFID tags are everywhere in retail today. I bought a case of bear the other day and they had a RFID tag on the box.
From what I read the company is not even using them yet and if they did all you need to do is remove the grips and pop it of with a butter knife.
I believe what the article says, but what "I do know", and the article failed to mention. Is that if you purchase a weapon with this "chip", and fill out the manufactures registration card (warranty card, etc.), or even if you do not (don't forget BATF), the manufacture will be able to update the data associated with the "chip", that will included the Name, address, etc. of whom the weapon was registered to, giving non-need to know persons with a scanning device this information. Not that it can not be gained now, that is done every day by LE via… Read more »
If that press release is verbatim as it's printed, the level of condescension from MKS towards potential consumers is amazing. There public affairs department needs some retraining.
And "oh by the way", passive RFID tags can be read from considerably longer distances than the quoted "2-3 inches" (think hundreds of feet). Google Chris Paget and long range RFID reading or look at the video below.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BR-JXDdzCko
Is that their press release verbatim or is that an article you guys wrote up?
This is exactly as received from MKS representatives.