Find Gun Policy Facts

Armed violence prevention, gun control laws and the small arms trade:

Gun Policy News

Marking & tracing crime gun bullets & casings

United States

23 March 2021

Guardian

Gun control advocates are making a new attempt to force the gun industry to comply with a unique California law that requires bullet casings to be "microstamped", a measure that has been toothless since it was approved more than a decade ago. California's 2007 law requires gun manufacturers to adopt microstamping technology on new types of handguns introduced in the state. The intent was to imprint a unique set of microscopic characters on all cartridge casings when... (GunPolicy.org)

Read More: Guardian

40495

United States

23 January 2014

Los Angeles Times

SACRAMENTO — Gun maker Smith & Wesson announced Thursday that it would stop selling newly designed semiautomatic pistols in California because of a state law requiring those firearms to imprint a unique, identifying "microstamp" on bullet casings. The law, signed by Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger in 2007 but not implemented until May 2013, is intended to help police investigators link shell casings found at crime scenes to a specific gun. Smith & Wesson joins gun maker... (GunPolicy.org)

Read More: Los Angeles Times

38305

United States

12 April 2013

New England Journal of Medicine

Scientists, policymakers, and advocates are increasingly advised to use "the public health approach" to address myriad social issues, from alcoholism and arthritis to vision care and war. However, it is rarely clear what exactly is meant by "the public health approach." Policymakers at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) describe the public health approach as a four-step model: Define the problem, identify risk and protective factors, develop and test... (GunPolicy.org)

Read More: New England Journal of Medicine

37321

United States

12 April 2013

New England Journal of Medicine

Scientists, policymakers, and advocates are increasingly advised to use "the public health approach" to address myriad social issues, from alcoholism and arthritis to vision care and war. However, it is rarely clear what exactly is meant by "the public health approach." Policymakers at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) describe the public health approach as a four-step model: Define the problem, identify risk and protective factors, develop and test... (GunPolicy.org)

Read More: New England Journal of Medicine

37320

United States

15 June 2010

Albany Times-Union (New York), Editorial

At a cost to gun owners that would be less than a box of bullets or a National Rifle Association membership, New York could have a law that would help police solve crimes and not impair the Second Amendment one iota. The Senate is expected to consider as soon as today a bill that would require certain guns sold in the state to incorporate microstamping technology that would imprint a code on shell casings. The bill, which already has passed the Assembly, has, not... (GunPolicy.org)

Read More: Albany Times-Union (New York)

32854

United States

14 June 2010

Post-Standard (New York), Opinion

As police officers, we stand on the front line in the fight to keep our communities safe. We know how criminals operate, and we know firsthand how new technology can help break a case. More important, we know what happens when we are forced to rely on outdated technology: Crimes go unsolved and criminals walk free. Today, when the only piece of evidence left at a crime scene is a spent shell casing, police investigations often hit a dead end. That's because existing... (GunPolicy.org)

Read More: Post-Standard (New York)

32850

United States

2 March 2010

National Public Radio (USA), Transcript

The U.S. Supreme Court steps back onto the firing range, so to speak, as it takes up the controversial question of gun rights Tuesday. At issue is whether the Second Amendment right to bear arms puts constitutional limits on state and local laws as well as federal laws. For the first 100 years of America's history, the Bill of Rights — protecting rights of free speech and religion, among others — limited only what the federal government could do. The states had a... (GunPolicy.org)

Read More: National Public Radio (USA)

32269

United States

18 February 2010

Orange County Register (California)

California has the strongest gun laws in the nation, according to a survey released today by a powerful gun-control group as it prods state Legislators to enact further precautions. The survey by the national Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence gave California high marks for making background checks mandatory for all gun purchases and limiting buyers to one handgun a month. It also applauded a new state law that regulates the sale of handgun ammunition. California... (GunPolicy.org)

Read More: Orange County Register (California)

32177

United States

21 July 2009

Capital 9 TV News (New York)

ALBANY, New York — "You have to make a small step to protect," said Glynn Jones, New Yorkers Against Gun Violence. "You got 20,000 to 30,000 laws on the books now! Incrementalism is eroding our Constitution," said gun owner Harry Feineis. Inside the Legislative Office Building in Albany, debate continues over gun control. "How much more do you want to go?" asked Feineis. Only moments after, state legislators announced they want all new semi-automatic handguns... (GunPolicy.org)

Read More: Capital 9 TV News (New York)

30584

United States

29 April 2009

Associated Press

ALBANY, New York — Bills that would require renewals of handgun permits and a system to tag and track spent shell casings have touched off the first gun-control battle in years at New York's Capitol. The Democrat-controlled Assembly approved both measures this week. And they face a better chance at becoming law now that the Senate also is controlled by Democrats. In the Capitol, students rallying in support of the measures Wednesday were mostly minorities from the... (GunPolicy.org)

Read More: Associated Press

29968

United States

20 February 2009

Chattanoogan (Tennessee)

Sen. Doug Jackson, D-Dickson, has filed legislation that would ban the sale of "microstamped" firearms and ammunition, calling them an infringement on the Second Amendment right to bear arms. California has passed a law mandating microstamping of firearms, "and I predict that Tennessee will pass a law banning it," Sen. Jackson said. Called the "Second Amendment Protection Act," the bill would outlaw sale of firearms and ammunition that are laser-engraved, or... (GunPolicy.org)

Read More: Chattanoogan (Tennessee)

29244

United States

28 September 2008

Newsday (New York) / AP

ALBANY, New York — New York's 7½-year-old database of handgun "fingerprints" has yet to lead to a criminal prosecution and questions linger about its effectiveness. Still, state police remain committed to the database, saying more time and a long-awaited link to a federal ballistics database could bring success. Since March 2001, identifying information about more than 200,000 new pistols and revolvers sold in New York have been entered into the Combined Ballistic... (GunPolicy.org)

Read More: Newsday (New York) / AP

28330

United States

25 July 2008

Charleston Gazette (West Virginia), Editorial

After the U.S. Supreme Court voided the unworkable pistol ban in the nation's capital, the District of Columbia council unanimously passed rules to license guns — but only if they're kept unloaded, disassembled or trigger-locked inside homes. They still may not be carried on streets. Owners must pass eye and written tests. Gun-lovers plan to sue over the tough new rules. What a mess. This ongoing battle doesn't solve the basic question: What can be done to reduce... (GunPolicy.org)

Read More: Charleston Gazette (West Virginia)

27801

United States

17 July 2008

Washington Post, Opinion

The Supreme Court decision last month overturning the District's handgun ban, though controversial, may have ended a long-standing political logjam. As a local law enforcement official, I hope this decision will allow a working coalition to transcend partisan disagreements and support strategies proven to reduce gun violence. The ruling left almost entirely intact the gun restrictions in Maryland and most other jurisdictions. Still permitted are: licensing... (GunPolicy.org)

Read More: Washington Post

27709

United States

20 May 2008

Albany Times-Union (New York)

ALBANY — Efforts to mandate "microstamping" technology in handguns, which advocates say would allow police to better trace bullets, appear to have faded in the state Senate after being targeted by opponents in the gun lobby. News that the effort lost momentum emerged Monday following a live-fire demonstration at the State Police headquarters target range to promote the technology. The event, set up by Assemblywoman Michelle Schimel, D-Great Neck, underscored the... (GunPolicy.org)

Read More: Albany Times-Union (New York)

27133

United States

15 April 2008

Albany Times-Union (New York)

ALBANY — If you're buying a handgun, there may soon be a bullet with your name on it, or at least a number on the shell casing. That's because lawmakers are poised to mandate that semiautomatic handguns sold in New York be equipped with microstamp technology that marks each cartridge casing. Proponents say it would allow police to better match weapons and cartridges. But opponents maintain the technology is unreliable, potentially costly and would not affect stolen... (GunPolicy.org)

Read More: Albany Times-Union (New York)

26845

United States

13 April 2008

New York Sun

A state lawmaker is poised to introduce a bill that would require all new pistols sold in New York to be equipped with microstamping technology, a means of tracing pistols the firearms industry opposes. The bill will likely be introduced this week by state Senator Martin Golden, who has been working closely with city officials over the past several weeks to iron out the language of the legislation, an aide to the Brooklyn Republican said. Mayor Bloomberg, a proponent of... (GunPolicy.org)

Read More: New York Sun

26813

United States

27 March 2008

Hartford Courant (Connecticut), Opinion

Every year during the legislative session, Connecticut plays host to a medicine show of phony remedies for violent crime. Now that spring is here, so is the snake oil. Two purported anti-crime bills are now being considered by the General Assembly. Both bills promise amazing results, but the buyer should beware. Senate Bill 603 would outlaw the sale of firearms ammunition that does not bear a serial number on the bullet and the cartridge case. The serial number is... (GunPolicy.org)

Read More: Hartford Courant (Connecticut)

26612

United States

5 March 2008

National Public Radio (USA) / All Things Considered, Transcript

Every time somebody pulls the trigger on a gun, it leaves distinctive marks on the bullet or cartridge case. Police have long used those tell-tale marks to help them link a gun to a crime, and bullet-matching is a regular feature of police dramas like CSI. In recent years, some lawmakers and gun control groups have pushed for a national database that would record the ballistics signature of every gun sold in the United States. But a new report from a prestigious... (GunPolicy.org)

Read More: National Public Radio (USA) / All Things Considered

26345

United States

3 March 2008

WTNH-TV News (Connecticut)

Lawmakers are pushing a new technology to help trace hand-guns used in crimes. It's called 'microstamping.' It's essentially a license plate for handguns that is difficult to remove. It's almost like a rubber stamp, but it's inside the gun and it microscopically stamps the ammunition cartridge. When an ammunition cartridge is ejected from a semi-automatic handgun, it carries a distinguishing mark made by the firing pin. And from those TV cop shows, you probably know... (GunPolicy.org)

Read More: WTNH-TV News (Connecticut)

26293

United States

22 February 2008

Register-Guard (Oregon), Editorial

The National Rifle Association's new buzz phrase is "incremental gun control." The NRA's supporters and the members of Congress in the gun lobby's thrall somehow have come to believe that "incremental gun control" strikes at the very heart of American liberty and must be resisted at all costs. Opposition to all sensible gun regulation, incremental or otherwise, has fueled the NRA's largely successful efforts to make sure that nothing stands in the way of virtually... (GunPolicy.org)

Read More: Register-Guard (Oregon)

26197

United States

15 February 2008

Baltimore Sun

MILWAUKEE — Sen. Barack Obama this morning commented on Thursday's shootings at Northern Illinois University, as he also discussed his views on gun laws. The Illinois Democrat, talking for the first time about the shootings in his home state, said during a news conference that he had talked to the school's president this morning. "My thoughts and prayers go out to the families of those who were killed and those who were injured … when a madman walked into a... (GunPolicy.org)

Read More: Baltimore Sun

26136

United States

10 February 2008

Knoxville News Sentinel (Tennessee), Column

Most politicians learned a few years ago that talking gun control is a political loser. So, to fill the vacuum they're talking bullet control. Sen. Reginald Tate (D-Memphis) and Rep. Larry J. Miller (D-Memphis) have introduced legislation that would require all handgun and assault weapon ammunition sold in Tennessee after Jan. 1, 2009, to be coded. The idea, they spell out in their identical bills, is coded bullets would help police solve homicides committed with... (GunPolicy.org)

Read More: Knoxville News Sentinel (Tennessee)

26061

United States

28 January 2008

Examiner (Baltimore)

BALTIMORE — In the wake of a double homicide in Annapolis' Bay Ridge Gardens apartments, Mayor Ellen Moyer is pushing for lawmakers to draft legislation that requires gun manufacturers to produce microstamp imprints of a gun's serial number on shell casings. The Annapolis mayor plans to meet with state leaders today, including House Speaker Michael Busch, D-Annapolis, City Police Chief Joseph Johnson and representatives from several state agencies to push for... (GunPolicy.org)

Read More: Examiner (Baltimore)

25949

United States

18 January 2008

Newsday (New York) / AP

NEW YORK — Tough new law enforcement measures, a major tax cut and new services for senior citizens are on Mayor Michael Bloomberg's agenda for the city as he tests his appeal nationwide as an independent leader. Bloomberg outlined a bipartisan agenda in his State of the City address Thursday. The billionaire mayor, who has two years left in his second term, insists he is "not a candidate" for president, but associates say he has begun an intensive nationwide effort... (GunPolicy.org)

Read More: Newsday (New York) / AP

25894

United States,United Nations

1 January 2008

Law Enforcement Technology (USA) / Officer.com

A 14-year-old boy and his 18-year-old brother are shot and killed in a mini-mart down the street from their home. Police find four shell casings in the parking lot, but no leads. A man driving home from work is summoned to the side of the road by a woman apparently needing help. After he stops, he discovers the trap. Two men attempt to rob him. When he runs, they shoot him. He dies. Three shell casings are found, but no leads. These incidents are neither hypothetical... (GunPolicy.org)

Read More: Law Enforcement Technology (USA) / Officer.com

26460

United States

16 October 2007

Telegraph (UK)

LOS ANGELES — Arnold Schwarzenegger has angered America's powerful gun lobby by backing legislation requiring semi-automatic handguns to mark bullets with serial numbers to help police identify casings found at crime scenes. The former Hollywood action hero, who played trigger-happy characters in violent films such as The Terminator, approved the crime-fighting technology despite opposition from the National Rifle Association, which said it could be used to implicate... (GunPolicy.org)

Read More: Telegraph (UK)

24998

United States

15 October 2007

San Francisco Chronicle

Sacramento — Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger has signed the nation's first law requiring semiautomatic pistols sold in the state to leave a unique imprint on bullets that are fired, giving police another way to try to link shootings to the criminals who carry them out. The bill was among dozens that Schwarzenegger signed this weekend, banning toxic plastic softeners in toys for toddlers, blessing the sale of kangaroo-skin soccer shoes and purses, and whacking... (GunPolicy.org)

Read More: San Francisco Chronicle

24991

United States

14 October 2007

Los Angeles Times

SACRAMENTO — Bucking pressure from the gun lobby, Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger signed an unprecedented law Saturday requiring that certain pistols sold in the state be equipped to mark each cartridge when fired so police can more easily trace the weapons. Another signed measure also opposed by the interest group will ban the use of lead ammunition in the habitat of the endangered California condor. During a busy day in which he signed 101 bills and vetoed 58, the... (GunPolicy.org)

Read More: Los Angeles Times

24987

United States

14 October 2007

New York Times / Reuters

SAN FRANCISCO — California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger has signed a bill whose backers say will better help police use shells from hand guns as evidence in criminal investigations, a spokeswoman said on Sunday. The legislation marks a victory for gun-control activists and the second time Schwarzenegger signed one of their priority bills. In 2004 he approved a ban on private citizens owning .50 caliber rifles. Activists had called for the legislation, which requires... (GunPolicy.org)

Read More: New York Times / Reuters

24983

United States

6 September 2007

San Francisco Chronicle / AP

SACRAMENTO — California could be the first state to require that every semiautomatic handgun cartridge be stamped with an identifying mark. A bill bearing that proposal has cleared both chambers of the Legislature. Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger hasn't said whether he will sign it once it reaches his desk. The measure would require that in three years, every semiautomatic handgun sold in California automatically stamp each bullet cartridge as it's fired. The mark would... (GunPolicy.org)

Read More: San Francisco Chronicle / AP

24607

United States

15 August 2007

Los Angeles Times

A proposed state bill requiring all new handguns to be stamped with microscopic identification tags could significantly decrease violence and shut down the illegal gun market if passed, proponents said in a news conference Tuesday. The Crime Gun Identification Act, AB 1471, would require that lasers be used to create a "microstamp" of each gun's make, model and serial number that would become imprinted onto shell casings when a bullet is fired. The technology was... (GunPolicy.org)

Read More: Los Angeles Times

24425

United States

30 May 2007

San Francisco Chronicle

SACRAMENTO — In an effort to curb deadly gun violence, the state Assembly on Tuesday passed a bill that would make California the first in the nation to require a mechanism inside semiautomatic pistols to stamp information that would help authorities track down criminals. "About 45 percent of all homicides are never solved … for lack of evidence," the bill's author, Assemblyman Mike Feuer, D-Los Angeles, said on the floor of the Assembly. "But we have the... (GunPolicy.org)

Read More: San Francisco Chronicle

23762

United States

19 May 2007

Associated Press

WASHINGTON — Gun shots rang out in a House office basement Friday as a Capitol police officer fired a semiautomatic pistol into the chest of a man-sized paper silhouette. Had the paper target been a real victim, and Capitol Police Sgt. William P. Siko a criminal, investigators might have found enough evidence for a conviction in the bullet cartridges left at the scene, gun control advocates said. Siko helped demonstrate for lawmakers a technique called... (GunPolicy.org)

Read More: Associated Press

23703


For earlier articles, use the Search News feature above