IMET President Interviewed By ABC Action News

IMET President Interviewed By KYW Radio

October 3, 2005

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

In Reply to the shooting of Newtown Borough Police Officers on Sept 29 th , 2005

Simple Device Could Have Prevented Officer's Death

(IMET Corporation, Newtown, PA) Mr. Joseph R. Petrella Jr., co-founder of IMET Corporation of Newtown, PA devised a handgun safety device in 2002 that prevents a policeman's gun from being used against him or her. Had the technology been made available on September 29th, tragedy may have been avoided. Unlike other ‘smart gun' systems currently being researched, IMET's patented technology does not use electronics in any way, and therefore can be implemented immediately into existing firearm designs.

“This device could save the lives of our police just like bullet-resistant vests have.” Mr. Petrella of IMET Corporation explained. “Too often are police officers injured or killed with their own weapons. When I heard that two of our local policemen were shot with their own guns I was outraged. This is exactly what I had designed this device to prevent, and it happened right here.” The device uses a mechanical lock that is engaged by a small plastic insert worn on the police officer's trigger hand. When the officer grips the handle of the pistol, the pistol unlocks. If the pistol is grabbed out of the officer's hand or is taken out of the holster it will not work.

“Right now we have a prototype and a patent. I've been in contact with several firearm manufacturers, including Smith & Wesson, but they are uninterested in helping us. There are so many regulations in this industry that it is hard to make improvements, even when it can save lives” explains Mr. Petrella. Mr. Petrella's company is now looking for help in getting the safety firearms into the hands of police officers.

The patent for Mr. Petrella's device was issued on December 3 rd , 2002 and is titled ‘Firearm with Personal Safety Interlock Mechanism'. Since the issuance of this patent, Mr. Petrella says that his company has devised several other firearm safety technologies including one that does not require the shooter to wear anything on their hands.

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