WASHINGTON, D.C. – Already passed by the California Assembly in May, the “Crime Gun Identification Act” (A.B. 1471) will return to the Assembly for a final vote after being amended and passed in the state Senate last week. The legislation, introduced by Assemblyman Mike Feuer earlier this year, would require that semiautomatic handguns sold in California starting in 2010 be equipped with microstamping technology. The amended Senate version clarifies that the inventor of microstamping technology will make the microstamping patent available royalty-free. If signed in to law, California would lead the nation as the first state to require that semiautomatic handguns leave an identifying mark on each fired bullet cartridge.
“I commend the California Senate for making this important, potentially lifesaving legislation a priority. Our law enforcement officials tout gun microstamping as a common-sense, effective, and inexpensive technology that will help their investigations without infringing on personal ownership rights,” said Rep. Becerra. “I’m optimistic that the California Assembly will once again pass the bill, and I urge Governor Schwarzenegger to give California’s first responders the tools they need to solve gun crimes by signing the Crime Gun Identification Act into law.”
Microstamping is the next generation in ballistics technology that gives police more precise investigative leads to pursue criminals. Internal surfaces of the gun etch tiny characters on every fired bullet cartridge so that officers can identify the make, model and serial number of the gun from which it came. A single microstamped cartridge recovered at a crime scene can lead police to the gun that fired it. The California bill is supported by 65 police chiefs and sheriffs state-wide as well as by the Peace Officers Research Association of California.
A long-time advocate of microstamping technology, Rep. Becerra is currently exploring federal legislative options. He hosted a microstamping briefing and live demonstration in Washington, D.C., to educate his colleagues about this breakthrough technology. Click here to view the C-SPAN-produced video of Rep. Becerra’s briefing.
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