Boulder teenager launches crowdfunding campaign for smart-gun prototype

BOULDER — A Boulder teenager on Wednesday launched an Indiegogo crowdfunding campaign in hopes of raising the $72,000 needed to design and build a live-firing version of his “smart-gun” prototype that he’s been developing for the past three years.

Eighteen-year-old Kai Kloepfer’s smart gun employs a fingerprint sensor and encryption technology to prevent anyone who isn’t designated as a user of that firearm from firing it. Kloepfer’s hope is to prevent accidental shootings, thefts, suicides and other wrongful uses of firearms. That includes preventing use by children who might find an unsecured gun in their home or people who simply aren’t…