Abstract: An external lock apparatus for a gun includes a gun receptacle. The gun receptacle is configured to receive a portion of the gun. An external lock is configured to engage with the portion of the gun when the gun is inserted into the gun receptacle. The external lock has on OPEN position and a LOCKED position. The external lock further includes an interference member. The interference member is configured to engage with the gun such that the gun cannot be removed from the gun receptacle and the gun cannot fire when the portion of the gun is received within the gun receptacle and the external lock is in the LOCKED position. In the alternative, the gun cannot be fired but can be removed from the gun receptacle if the portion of the gun is received within the gun receptacle and external lock is in the OPEN position.

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses are described to monitor a removable object. An apparatus includes a receptacle; the receptacle is configured to contain the removable object. A sensor node, the sensor node is associated with a unique identifier. The sensor node is configured to sense the presence of the removable object within the receptacle and to transmit a signal containing the unique identifier to a remote device. The signal is related to the presence of the removable object. A notification is sent to an entity which is responsive to the signal and a notification profile which is related to the receptacle.