Lawmakers advance competing versions of bullet ID bills

sacbee ^ | 6-2-05

[LouAvul]

SACRAMENTO (AP) - Dueling proposals to identify handgun bullets to help police solve shootings were approved by state lawmakers Thursday, despite concerns the requirements are impractical or would harm law-abiding citizens.

Ammunition manufacturers would be required to laser-cut each bullet with a serial number under the Senate bill, while the Assembly version requires guns to stamp identification numbers on bullet casings each time they are fired.

"With a simple magnifying glass (police) can read that identifying number ... and determine who purchased that ammunition," said Sen. Joseph Dunn, D-Garden Grove, who is carrying the Senate version. "This is a tremendous benefit for law enforcement."

The Senate sent the measure to the Assembly on a 21-14 vote, while the Assembly proposal by Assemblyman Paul Koretz, D-West Hollywood, passed 41-37 despite heavy opposition from gun groups. Both passed by one vote.

Ammunition manufacturers said that Dunn's bill will either force them to abandon the lucrative California market or force them to install unaffordable technology to mark the 8 billion bullets they make each year.

The bill would punish anyone possessing unmarked ammunition outside their home after July 2007, though Dunn said he is working with law enforcement to amend the bill so owners could use older bullets at firing ranges.

"A law abiding citizen has nothing to fear," said Sen. Jack Scott, D-Pasadena, comparing the markings to the use of fingerprints or DNA in crime solving.

Dunn's bill would require purchasers to pay up to a halfpenny per bullet to fund record-keeping by the state Department of Justice on every handgun-caliber bullet made or sold in California. Vendors would pay up to $50 a year to register. Rifle ammunition would be exempted, though some calibers are used in both handguns and long guns.

[taxcontrol]

One more reason I wont ever return to Kalifornia

[an amused spectator]

The bill would punish anyone possessing unmarked ammunition outside their home after July 2007, though Dunn said he is working with law enforcement to amend the bill so owners could use older bullets at firing ranges.

The Nazis didn't have ANYTHING on California Democommie legislators...

[muawiyah]

"Gee officer, must have been a manufacturing error. You can see right here the OTHER bullets in the ammo box have your mark on them"

This is called the ACT OF GOD DEFENSE. This is the one to use when you sideswipe a parked car "Gee officer, I sneezed".

The Dems in the California legislature must use so much dope they can't think even two steps down the road anymore.

[Joe 6-pack]

"Ammunition manufacturers would be required to laser-cut each bullet with a serial number under the Senate bill.."

Hopefully they won't be using assault lasers.

[an amused spectator]

Dunn's bill would require purchasers to pay up to a halfpenny per bullet to fund record-keeping by the state Department of Justice on every handgun-caliber bullet made or sold in California.

.005 x 500 = 2.50 tax on a brick of .22 ammo.

Sounds like time for a tea party in Kalifornistan...

[NewHampshireDuo]

The Dems in the California legislature must use so much dope they can't think even two steps down the road anymore.

This is just incredibly stupid. Wonder if Arnold will sign the legislation if it passes?

[TexasTransplant]

"stupid is as stupid does"

[an amused spectator]

Hopefully they won't be using assault lasers.

Wonder how you mark the ammo on a plasma laser rifle (40 watt range)?

[goldstategop]

Democrats are idiots. This bill would effectively disarm law-abiding Californians by forbidding them from using non-ID ammo in their guns AFTER 2005. Its banning private firearms ownership via the backdoor. Despite their deceptive maneuvers, the Democrats were able to pass the ID bill by a single vote. Gun-grabber Arnold is going to sign this one. Its the end of an era in California.

(Denny Crane: "Sometimes you can only look for answers from God and failing that... and Fox News".)

[Joe 6-pack]

"Wonder how you mark the ammo on a plasma laser rifle (40 watt range)?"

I don't know. I suggest the California Legislature look into it...;-)

[isthisnickcool]

This wil show the gang bangers! If they murder someone with illegal ammo they will be in big trouble!

[umgud]

the Assembly version requires guns to stamp identification numbers on bullet casings each time they are fired.

Any gun that doesn't have the ability to self-stamp would be an unapproved firearm.

[goldstategop]

Yes. He already signed a bill banning .50 caliber hand-guns so we know his record on the RKBA. Gun firms are just going to abandon the California market should this bill become law. They don't need the hassle of a silly procedure that makes ammo more expensive - and that doesn't begin to take into account the tax imposed to fund scribing an ID into every bullet.

(Denny Crane: "Sometimes you can only look for answers from God and failing that... and Fox News".)

[n230099]

It's never about the "criminal". As stupid as these slug legislators are, they know that criminals don't care, "unmarked ammo" will always be available. This is a poorly disguised attempt to log the names of the law abiding. Our rights to anonymous firearms possession are constantly under attack.

[goldstategop]

Any firearm of which the Democrats disapprove makes YOU a criminal. That's why their claim the bill won't affect law-abiding gun owners is pure horse pucky. Its confiscation by the back door.

(Denny Crane: "Sometimes you can only look for answers from God and failing that... and Fox News".)

[KC_for_Freedom]

This is just incredibly stupid. Wonder if Arnold will sign the legislation if it passes?

Yes it is stupid. Arnold is smart enought to see through this one. One talk show host suggested that this will usher in the era of homocide by shotgun. (Any law to mark each pellet?)

Or the possibility that criminals will all take up home loading?

Or that criminals will only use "stolen" ammo?

Of course if this is just a ploy to make guns and ammo more costly in CA it will work. However what about the ACLU and the case that could be made that this is profiling of people for income and that only the wealthy may defend themselves. (Shades of the post Civil War South?

[MRMEAN]

Ammunition manufacturers would be required to laser-cut each bullet with a serial number under the Senate bill, while the Assembly version requires guns to stamp identification numbers on bullet casings each time they are fired.

Let me make a prediction: There'll be a compromise, they will require both!

[facedown]

Lunacy.

[muawiyah]

Naw, they don't care who owns guns. It's not about guns anyway. Rather, their motive is to disarm law abiding people so that their big contributors among the narcotrafficantes can operate without fear of some citizen chasing them out of the neighborhoods.

What was it the fictional Deep Throat said, "Follow the Money"?