5 Guns to Have When AI Becomes Sentient
AI is all the rage today. It’s one of the top buzzwords in the Boardroom and on Linkedin. It seems like a lot of the work that has gone into AI over the years is starting to bubble to the top. I have personally seen everything from customer service, fast food ordering and even image generation being handled by AI. I don’t think we’re going to see a slow down in AI deployment anytime soon, in fact this is probably just the beginning. I even saw someone propose to implement AI into a vending machine yesterday. One thing my caveman brain wonders is, what happens when one too many Karens give the Chat Bot a hard time about their triple third pounder with cheese, and AI starts to despise us?
In preparation for this article, I asked Chat GPT if it would ever become sentient. The results shocked me. It could neither confirm or deny whether it would become sentient, which sounds a little suspicious to me (sus as the kids call it). I then asked Chat GPT, “what 5 guns would you recommend I have if AI becomes sentient?” The results were even more shocking. Chat GPT told me that if AI were to become sentient and pose a threat, the scenario would likely involve more than just firearms for defense. I don’t know about you, but in my neck of the woods those are fightin words.
Obviously I'm not going to give you the 5 guns Chat GPT suggested be used against AI. That would be like asking the IRS if I'm paying enough taxes. I don’t think it would work out in your favor. Instead I'm going to speculate on what technology we might see AI deployed in that could cause a threat, and then suggest a firearm to counter it.
5) .22 Pistol or Rifle: (Henry U.S. Survival AR-7)
All sentient AI would have one thing in common, precious fragile electronic components. Keeping a small and compact .22 in your kit could allow for discreet dispatching of the Terminator T-800’s great granddaddy in places you might not otherwise want to shoot a firearm, like in your garage. I’m going to recommend the AR-7 in case AI is implemented into a stubborn remote controlled car that finds its way into your garage, has nefarious intentions and won't leave.
4) 9mm Pistol: (Glock 19)
I think the first day AI becomes sentient would probably be a huge shock to most people. I think it’s important to be ready, by carrying a highly capable and reliable concealed firearm. The Glock 19 is probably the largest firearm I can really carry without printing, and is also the most capable among my carry firearms. It accepts larger magazines, the controls are easier to manipulate, the recoil is more controllable and it is easier to land accurate shots when compared to microcompacts. I still carry my micro compacts on the daily but if I thought AI was going to attack me, I'd pack bigger heat. If I do print and the lady at Ikea asks why I’m carrying a firearm, I'll just tell her it’s in case the FÖRNUFTIG becomes sentient.
3) 50 BMG: (Barrett Model 82A1)
Many companies have been working on AI-powered humanoid robots. These robots look to be about as big as a person and have huge metal chest plates. I have done exactly 0 research, but I’m pretty sure a 50 BMG could cut through one of these robots like a hot knife through butter. I’m going to recommend the Barrett Model 82A1 for AI implemented in human-like robots. This would be a more expensive piece of kit, but having one of these on hand would give you some piece of mind. If your significant other asks about the cash missing from the joint account, just send them to this article. I'm sure they'll understand.
2) 8” 300 blackout pistol: (Aero Precision M4E1 Build)
The 8” 300 blackout is what I consider to be the king of suburban-dad defense weapons. Yes, it may not reach out to distances that other cartridges may, but I will tell you what it does, suppresses well and shoots a big projectile. I think if AI does become a sentient problem, we won’t really know what kind of product or device has become a self-aware asshole until it's too late. The 300 Blackout allows you to run subsonic ammunition with a suppressor so that if the toaster becomes self-aware in the middle of the night and tries to choke you with the toaster cord, you can put the tango down without waking the kids.
The Aero Precision 300 blackout build below currently doesn’t have a suppressor, but I have had one on my wish list for a long time. I would install the Rugged Alaskan 360. It’s a lightweight suppressor that can handle high-pressure rifle rounds up to the 338 Lapua Magnum and down, and obviously also suppresses 9mm rounds. It is marketed as a durable and well-built suppressor. In the AI sentient scenario, you may not know when you can buy a new suppressor, so having a “jack of all trades” silencer on hand to complement 300 Blackout subsonic rounds sounds like a great idea. I have used Silencer Shop for NFA transfer, and no doubt would buy from them again. You can find the Rugged Alaskan suppressor at Silencer Shop here: https://www.silencershop.com/rugged-suppressors-alaskan-360.html .
Rugged Alaskan 360 Suppressor
If the AI sentient device is larger, you could remove the suppressor and switch to harder-hitting supersonic rounds. I think the larger projectile would be more well-suited to take down a larger machine than say the 5.56 round. The firearm is also compact, so you can take it with you everywhere. I know, I know, the below example is also missing backup iron sights. It's a work in progress.
1) 12 gauge pump shotgun: (Mossberg Maverick 88)
We’ve seen a lot of progress in small drones in recent years. We’ve seen cheap consumer drones be implemented on the battlefield. It has been speculated that drones can even be programmed to identify facial features, and act as individual assassination drones. I’d recommend a simple and durable 12 gauge pump or semi-automatic shotgun. The Mossberg Maverick shown in the below picture has both a long barrel and a short barrel. The long barrel can be equipped to shoot drones out of the air like a skeet shooting competition. The short barrel can be installed for close quarters. Slugs can also be implemented for those larger targets. The Maverick 88 would be another tool in the tool bag, and has a really approachable MSRP. From what I've seen so far, I would be most worried about small and fast drones.
Honorable mentions:
- Pepper ball gun: We have seen a lot of instances of AI producing fake images, videos and audio of real-life people. It might be a good idea to have a non-lethal alternative on hand, in case you're not sure whether your target is your grandma or a tech-billionaire’s mad creation.
- EMP gun: I have not had the pleasure of using any kind of EMP gun, so I can’t recommend their effectiveness. I don’t think this list can be complete without the mention of one though.
- Anti-drone rifles: Recently there have been some developments of rifles that will “intercept” drones mid-air. We are currently seeing them being deployed in war zones. I have not tested them, so I can’t recommend them. If you’re interested, check out this TFBTV interview https://www.thefirearmblog.com/blog/2023/03/03/enforcetac-edm4s-skywiper-anti-drone-gun/
All jokes aside, I think currently the possibility AI could become sentient is rare. In the future, we could see the risk increase. I think we could also see the risk of autonomous devices being used for violence increase. If you are worried about AI becoming sentient, put a plan in place. Get on good terms with your family and neighbors. Create strong passwords online. Discuss verbal passwords with your friends and family, so that if you get a call from a rogue AI that sounds like Joe Rogan, you know it’s not really Joe asking for a few bucks. Also, be wary of the toaster. He’s a clever bastard.
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Lifelong firearm enthusiast with a passion for shooting handguns. 12+ year concealed carrier. Shooting competition enjoyer.
More by Cameron H
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What about a phase plasma riffle with 40 Watt range?
We’d all be better off with satchel EMP’s and the tinsel you airdrop onto high tension power lines to short them out. Useful until “they” figure out how to use our body warmth and dream state to build the matrix….