Eagle Eye Networks has launched Eagle Eye Gun Detection, an AI-enabled feature designed to identify visible firearms and alert security personnel and first responders in real time. The new solution, integrated into the company’s cloud-based video management system (VMS), aims to turn existing security cameras into proactive tools capable of detecting potential threats before shots are fired.
The urgency behind the innovation is clear. In 2024, the United States recorded 503 mass shootings, with more than 1,400 children and teenagers under 18 losing their lives. Despite this, only 11 per cent of schools in the country have continuous video monitoring. Gun violence has now surpassed car accidents as the leading cause of death among young people in the US, according to the CDC, and its economic toll is estimated at $557 billion (£457 billion) annually.
Eagle Eye Networks, known for its cloud video surveillance solutions, has positioned itself as the first company to embed gun detection directly into its video management platform. The feature was unveiled at a press conference held at Austin’s Capital Factory, where representatives from educational institutions, churches, and security organisations shared their experiences adopting the technology.
“Gun detection that is AI-powered, triple-verified, camera agnostic, and able to work in tandem with other security systems is a game-changer,” said H.E. Jenkins, Chief of Police at St. Thomas University, Houston. “It’s a layered approach to security, and I think it is what every university should be doing.”
At the core of the new system is a Triple-layer Verification process, which combines AI-based analytics with human oversight. The Rapid Edge AI continuously monitors video from on-site cameras using an optimised model for edge devices. When a potential firearm is detected, video is instantly sent to the Advanced Cloud AI, where a larger, more complex model analyses the footage to confirm or reject the alert, minimising false positives. Finally, a Human Review Service staffed by trained professionals validates the detection before triggering emergency notifications.
Once verified, the system can automatically alert designated contacts – via text, phone call, or email – and, if enabled, securely share live video feeds with 911 operators through Eagle Eye 911 Camera Sharing. This feature provides dispatchers and first responders with immediate visual information about the unfolding situation, improving situational awareness and potentially reducing response times.
John Murphy, a beta tester and former law enforcement officer, underscored the operational advantages of early detection: “I often see situations in schools, hospitals, and public spaces where gun detection could have a major impact. For law enforcement and other first responders, many calls are reactionary. Extra time and early detection are critical to response.”
The technology is being embraced by organisations seeking unobtrusive yet effective layers of security. “We want kids to be able to be kids,” said Matthew Schwandt, Director of Operations at Valor School in Austin. “Eagle Eye Gun Detection is an additional defensive layer to speed up response and mitigate a potentially dangerous situation before it escalates.”
Eagle Eye’s open platform approach allows users to integrate the gun detection feature with other AI tools, access control systems, and third-party technologies. Dean Drako, CEO of Eagle Eye Networks, emphasised the broader vision: “Working with organisations like the Capital Factory, St. Thomas University, Valor Schools, and law enforcement, the launch of Eagle Eye Gun Detection is much more than a product launch – it’s a community-supported safety initiative.”
While no single system can eradicate gun violence, Eagle Eye Gun Detection represents a significant step towards proactive protection. By enhancing existing infrastructure with AI-driven intelligence and human verification, the company aims to give schools, businesses, and community institutions a critical window of time – one that could make all the difference when lives are at stake.