Posted on 01/10/2012 11:30:58 AM PST by SWAMPSNIPER
Submitted by National Shooting Sports Foundation on Jan 10, 2012 For the fourth year in a row, anti-gun legislators from New York City have introduced firearms microstamping legislation (Assembly Bill 1157b) that would result in banning firearms in the Empire State. Microstamping is a patented process that micro-laser engraves the firearm’s make, model and serial number on the tip of the gun’s firing pin so that, in theory, it imprints the information on discharged cartridge cases.
(Excerpt) Read more at opposingviews.com ...
Which can be defeated by any decent file from a hardware store.
Yep, there’s a number of ways around this. I just happen to prefer revolvers.
Firing pins are replacement items. I see a HUGE market in the underground economy for such a replacement, thus no gun ever employed in a crime will have the microstamping suggested.
Better response would be for EVERY child, by age twelve, taking a course in the use, feeding, responsibilities, and handling of firearms, much as drivers’ training is taught to sixteen-year-olds in many states now. They give them sex eduction, right? And that is a pretty high-powered activity to put in the hands of the young.
AVAILABILITY of hand-held weaponry is another thing. Knowing how to use a weapon, and access, are two entirely different subjects. People with mature judgment are allowed to possess, and keep at easy access, automobiles, a similar argument may be made for hand weapons. Juveniles who have not had training, would be in violation of the law if they did attempt to use a handgun, like it means anything simply to be in violation of the law. But it is a handy additional charge to pile on the miscreant once apprehended.
Anybody want to partner-up on a machine shop that specializes in fireringpin replacements?
I’m pretty sure that any such microstamping law would have a provision making it illegal to buy a firing pin unless you went through a process to re-register the handgun with appropriate stamp. I imagine also that reloading would be illegal (most politicians are unaware of reloading, though) since the reloaded shell casing would already have a stamp on it.
The goal of this is to stop sales of handguns to the good people. Lefties don’t care at all about theft, robbery, street crime, and all the rest unless it can be used to advance the left.
Only the spent primer would have the stamp on it. It’s easy to pop those out and dispose of. If I were a bad guy, I’d just go to a range and collect a bunch of empty casings and toss them around the crime scene.
Excellent thinking.
So far as I know, the stamp would, by definition, hit the primer since it is engraved on the firing pin. Thus, since the spent primer is removed as part of the reloading process, the case is just fine for reloading and further use.
This is one of the most idiotic, although persistent, ideas out of the clown show.
Ah. Some “microstamping” laws require that the bolt face apply some sort of mark or stamp. If it’s on the firing pin, it will be difficult to get a half million unique codes in such a small space.
“We’re going to hammer guns on the anvil of relentless legislative strategy! We’re going to beat guns into submission!”
~Senator Charles Schumer, 1993
http://forensicscience.ucdavis.edu/pdf/microserial.pdf
Except that this technique really doesn't much work, it's very cool. If I may, it is my scientific opinion that the proprietary laser engraving technique will add immeasurably to Global Warming. As you well know, Global Warming particularly affects members of federally designated minority groups, women, children, the LGBT community, the handicapped, and seniors.
What a useless “invention”. The make and model of the gun are already clear to forensic investigators merely from the patterns of marks on the case. A serial number is only useful if there is an up-to-date database that associates a name with a gun. Guns stolen and sold on the street, as are most often used in crimes, won’t be trackable that way. AND... if the gun is recovered, forensic investigators are ~already~ pretty good at matching a gun to a bullet or an expended case.
The people that need to know this stuff already get all the information they need without microstamping.
Furthermore, I cannot imagine how such fine engraving will survive very many firings. After putting a thousand or so rounds through the gun, or even just a few hundred, how could there be anything recognizable left on the stamp?
“This is one of the most idiotic, although persistent, ideas”
It may be perceived as the simplest way to assure that a manufacturer does not produce a “New York Only” model with a different firing pin (can’t be compatible with the standard model), and putting unwanted paperwork on the manufacturer. From a hoplophobe’s point of view, it could look like sheer genius. Other than the sole source/bribery angle, I think that’s the most likely reason it keeps coming up.
On the surface it looks more reasonable than the equally stupid “electronic recognition” systems that would let a handgun only be fired by its registered owner, if the battery is charged.
That would make more sense.
How would that work on a revolver?
The plan is to take the 2nd amendment down piece by piece, until there is nothing left at all.
“After putting a thousand or so rounds through the gun, or even just a few hundred, how could there be anything recognizable left on the stamp?”
I guess we’ll have to require gun owning citizens to submit their stamping handguns to the police lab for certification every two years, then, aren’t we? Along with proof of residence and a valid picture ID.
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