MAGAZINE BASED, FIREARM SAFETY APPARATUS FOR MODIFYING EXISTING FIREARMS EMPLOYING A DIGITAL, CLOSE PROXIMITY COMMUNICATIONS SYSTEM AND A LOW POWER ELECTRO-PERMANENT MAGNET INTERLOCK SYSTEM

A magazine-based firearm interlock that can be added to a commercial firearm, with a release/locking device on the firing mechanisms enabled by an electro-permanent magnet, control electronics in the removable magazine, and authorized through a wearable authorization device. Modifications are applied to the trigger bar or sear mechanism which enables it to be changed to an unlocked state, which allows a shot to be fired, and to a locked state, which prevents a shot from being fired. A communication system includes a chip set in the firearm magazine that communicates with a FOB carried by the user, which authenticates the user and activates the electro-permanent magnet to enable the firearm to fire. This system is preferably a near field communication system that couples to and transmits across the body of the user. Indicators can be included to indicate the operational state of the interlock and to detect and record discharges.