These days it seems like smart technology is being used on everything. In this case, TrackingPoint’s “Smart Rifle” is ready for shipping and will be made available this week.

The Smart Rifle integrates precision hardware, digital optics and tracking technology. With this combination, it boasts unprecedented aiming assistance, allowing even beginners to shoot like a pro. It uses the “XactSystem” from TrackingPoint, which has a network tracking scope with digital display interface, laser tagging for moving targets and a guided trigger that determines when the shot is likely to hit before allowing itself to be pulled.

Along with the rifle comes an iPad mini with the TrackingPoint mobile app, so users can set it up and take aim quickly. Fortunately, a password can be set on the gun’s scope software, so that unauthorized users gain none of the precision technology, instead treating it like a regular rifle.

Image via NPR

The visual scope on the gun connects to the iOS app through a Wi-Fi connection (with an Android (News - Alert) app on the way). It shows a live video of the Heads Up Display, which can be recorded and shared online, as well as instruct new shooters. The goal is to make existing long-range shooters more capable, and is designed mainly for sport.

However, as with all subjects gun-related, this has opened a new flurry of debates and arguments. While the password protection is nice, the very concept of a smart gun is worrying to some. After all, this is making a weapon so easy to use that one can shoot with extreme accuracy after little to no training.

At the same time, it can be a useful tool in the hands of law enforcement agents, as it can help them stop violent criminals with better accuracy and reduced risk of collateral damage. Gun control is a hot topic for debate at the moment, as everyone has their own opinions and thoughts about how readily available guns should be and what they should be capable of. That is not a debate for here, but it will be interesting to see how this new technology affects the discussion.