Posted on 10/07/2004 1:01:05 PM PDT by 45Auto
California's attorney general wants to crack down on gun violence by laser-branding all handgun bullets sold in the state with tiny identification numbers nearly invisible to the naked eye.
The controversial proposal could open the way for the next major debate over gun control in California, a state that already has some of the toughest such laws in the United States.
Attorney General Bill Lockyer is expected to discuss his proposal at a meeting on gun crime today with Los Angeles Mayor Jim Hahn and a citizens group, an aide said yesterday.
Under the plan, all ammunition sold in California would have a serial number etched by laser on the bullet and casing. Bullets without such micro-markings, including those from outside the state, would be barred by law, with some exceptions for sport shooters who make their own ammunition.
No other US state requires microscopic identification numbers to be etched on bullets, although similar technology is used to brand aeroplane and auto parts, backers of the proposal said.
"We think this is a very valid idea that could solve crimes quickly," said Hallye Jordan, a spokeswoman for Lockyer, one of the state's leading Democrats.
"It's something that the cops going to a crime scene involving shooting victims, once they recover the spent cartridge or bullets they can look at it right there," she said. "We have a database where they can put the number right in and then drive to the person's house whose bullets they were."
Paul Curry, a lobbyist for Ammunition Coding System, a Washington-state based firm that developed the bullet etching system, said the requirement would add about 1 cent to the cost of each bullet sold.
Ammunition manufacturers have so far resisted the technology, but he predicted that they would "race to see who can be first to market" if California mandated them to license ACS' technology.
Political consultant Chris Lehane said Democrats who control California's legislature would likely be receptive to the proposal when they resume session in January.
"I think given the politics of the state it makes a lot of sense," Lehane said.
Gun rights advocates pledged to fight the proposal, saying it would be easy for gang members and criminals to find unmarked ammunition and create a costly state bureaucracy.
California's Republican Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger angered gun-rights advocates when he signed a bill last month banning the powerful .50 calibre rifles used by military snipers.
A spokesman for the governor could not be reached immediately for comment on Lockyer's proposal.
another headline to use:
"backdoor ammo tax coming to Kalifornia"...
... a state that already has some of the toughest such laws in the United States.
But this can't be. If they already have tough gun control laws, then (glub, glub) how can they have so much gun violence?
They need more tough laws which should alleviate the problem.
This is absolutely sickening. I hope Mount St. Helens spew some volcanic ash towards Sacramento.
"It seems these guys have never heard of an intertial bullet puller. For the price of a $20 tool you can put a new lead bullet in your case."
You would also need a press and a set of dies, and you have to buy new bullets (also marked?). It is also a pain in the azz.
No one will do this unless they plan to commit a crime.
Be sure you police all your brass at the range cuz some gang banger is going to be reloading YOUR spent casings marked with YOUR serial number. /s?(Don't know if I should turn sarcasm on or off)
Man, things are going from bad to worse here in my state (CA - or is it CA CA??)
If they want to laser-brand my bullets, they better be able to do it at anywhere from 800-1600 f.p.s.
Well, sure nobody will break the law...right?
When the flock does Lockyer's term expire!?!?! Not soon enough!
These people have lost their minds.
Well, a criminal could scatter some spent shells collected at a gun range. It would then be incumbant upon the innocent sportsperson to prove their innocence.
Good point.
--Boris
Like the prevailing winds that blow west to east, I would say you're correct in that assumption.
"So you think all re-loaders are criminals?"
Of course not, I have reloaded over 20K rounds myself. People are suggesting that shooters should dismantle live rounds and reassemble them using different components. Why in the world would I do that if I am just going to shoot them into a backstop?
"Or do you think that all criminals are too dumb to pull a bullet, and cast one out of wheel weights."
Most criminals are stupid and/or lazy. I seriously doubt that they would take the trouble to learn how to cast bullets (not trivial) or how to reload. It's too much like work.
Don't get me wrong. I don't support this labeling idiocy. My point was that the strategy proposed for coping with it wasn't practical. Best to kill it before it becomes law.
Apparnetly each with it's own serial number. Do these yahoos have any idea how many rounds are sold and fired in the state each year. Sure most of them are .22 long rifle, but it's a heck of lot of serial numbers.
It also means you'll have to register your ammo when you buy it. If it comes to pass, everyone in California should go out an buy a box of every kind of ammo they can afford, even it they don't have firearm that chambers it. Then trade with those who do. That ought to confuse their statistical analysts.
Probably not, but I'll bet they try to get it on buckshot. Of course we ought to ask that it not be done until they can put it on the "dust" that is used in handgun "snake" rounds.
Sound's like they want the brass marked as well. I'm sure they'll make possession of unmarked ammo a felony. You'll get punished, while someone who commits assault will get a misdemeanor. Of course once they tag you with a felony, there goes your RKBA, even if you move to Texas or other "gun friendly" location, the feds will see to that.
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