Smart Glock-style 9mm guns that can only be fired by a verified user could be available in the US this year - but experts fear that they could be hacked

Smart guns, which can only be fired by a verified user, may soon hit the US market after two decades of questions about reliability and concerns of hacking.

LodeStar Works, SmartGunz and Biofire are just several companies making a push into the industry with their high-tech guns - and some could be available this year.

Most smart guns are designed with fingerprint unlocking or radio frequency identification technology that enables the gun to fire only when a chip in the gun communicates with another chip worn by the user in a ring or bracelet.

The companies see the technologies as a way to reduce suicides, render lost or stolen guns useless, and offer safety for police officers and jail guards who fear gun grabs.