Murder of NYC toddler revitalizes gun debate in Albany

[Robb]

A shooting in Brooklyn has sparked new debate in Albany on the polarizing issue of gun control and more specifically: microstamping.

Antiq Hennis, a 16-month-old, was shot twice in the head as his father pushed him down Bristol Street in Brooklyn late at night on Sept. 1. Though police have arrested two New York men in Pennsylvania in connection with the murder, New Yorkers are left with a familiar question: what could have prevented this?



Supporters of the controversial policy say imprinting a tiny code on the shell casings of bullets could give law enforcement an edge in solving crimes like the one that took place last week in Brooklyn.

This coming January Assemblywoman Michelle Schimel, D-Great Neck, will again be pressing forward with bill A.3244, the "Crime Gun Identification Act of 2013." The bill is sponsored in the Senate by Jose Peralta, D-Jackson Heights.

If the bill were to pass, all new automatic pistols and hand guns would be microstamp-enabled, numbered and traceable back to the original purchaser.

"We do recalls all the time on consumer products. That's what those little microstamp numbers are for," Schimel said. "We can trace back the problems with cans of food. So why not bullets?"

Read More: http://www.legislativegazette.com/Articles-Top-Stories-c-2013-09-09-85022.113122-Murder-of-NYC-toddler-revitalizes-gun-debate-in-Albany.html

[Sanddog42]

1. That's an Excellent Idea

Does anyone remember Clinton's proposal for chemical taggants? It was, of course, shot down by the NRA.

Now this proposal is being opposed by New York State Rifle and Pistol Association President Thomas King who says, "What is [microstamping] going to do? It's going to tell you who bought the gun legally and then you're going to find that it was stolen."

No, Mr. King, it's going to to tell you who bought the gun legally much sooner so you'll be that much closer to catching the perpetrators before they skip town and/or destroy evidence. And wouldn't it also be a deterrant?

Besides, if guns rights advocates are concerned about the criminals using stolen guns to commit crimes, maybe they should support stricter requirements for gun owners to lock up their weapons, making them harder to steal.

[wild bird]

2. Good point.

But what about revolvers that don't eject spent shell casings? How will this legislation help?

[Sanddog42]

3. Don't let the perfect be the enemy of the good.

This legislation wouldn't help with regard to revolvers, but it's still a step in the right direction.

[wild bird]

4. I'm not saying it's not,

I'm just pointing out the huge loophole in the legislation and would like to see how they're going to rectify it.

[Sanddog42]

5. I don't think they plan to.

The news item said the legislation would require ordnance for automatics
to carry the stamp, so it doesn't appear to be intended for revolvers.

However, I think revolver ammo should have it as well.
A shooter might need to reload and drop a casing in the process.

But maybe they just haven't thought of workable solution.

Suggestions anyone?

[CTyankee]

6. where are our gun enthusiasts? Anybody know?

nt

[billh58]

7. Oh, I think that

they're close by. Very close by.