Firearm with User Authentication to Remove or Add Components

A method that enables an authorized user to switch a handgun from being a smart-gun to being a traditional handgun, the method comprising:

• providing the handgun with a first component that removably connects to the handgun and includes electronics that make the handgun the smart-gun that can only be fired by the authorized user;
• providing the handgun with a second component that removably connects to the handgun when the first component is removed from the handgun, that does not include an electronic component, and that replaces the first component in order to switch the handgun from being the smart-gun to being the traditional handgun that does not include electronic components;
• receiving, at the handgun when the first component is connected to the handgun, a request from the authorized user to remove the first component from the handgun;
• unlocking, by the handgun and in response to the request, the first component from the handgun when the authorized user is authorized to remove the first component from the handgun;
• and
• locking, at the handgun, the second component to the handgun in order to switch the handgun from being the smart-gun to being the traditional handgun.

A handgun assembly, comprising:

• a handgun that includes a frame with a hand grip, a barrel through which a bullet travels, an action that fires the bullet, and a trigger that activates the action to fire the bullet;
• a first component that removably attaches to the handgun, includes electronics of a power supply and an authentication unit that authenticates a user of the handgun to fire the handgun, and transforms the handgun into a smart-gun when connected to the handgun;
• and
• a second component that removably attaches to the handgun to replace the first component, does not include any electronics, and transforms the handgun into a traditional handgun without electronic components when connected to the handgun, wherein the smart-gun is a firearm that can only be fired by an authorized user.

A method that enables a user to switch a handgun from being a smart-gun to being a traditional handgun, the method comprising:

• providing the handgun with a first component that removably connects to the handgun and that includes electronics that make the handgun the smart-gun that can only be fired by the user;
• providing the handgun with a second component that removably connects to the handgun when the first component is removed from the handgun, that does not include an electronic component, and that replaces the first component in order to switch the handgun from being the smart-gun to being the traditional handgun that does not include electronic components;
• receiving, at the handgun when the first component is connected to the handgun, a request from the user to remove the first component from the handgun;
• unlocking, with a lock in the handgun and in response to receiving the request, the first component from the handgun when the user is authorized to remove the first component from the handgun;
• and
• locking, with the lock and to the handgun after the first component is removed, the second component in order to switch the handgun from being the smart-gun to being the traditional handgun.