California Senate Approves Landmark Crime-Fighting Bill

Sep 6, 2007

Sacramento, CA - The California State Senate today passed a bill already approved by the California Assembly that would provide police with an important new tool in solving gun crimes and apprehending armed criminals.

The Crime Gun Identification Act of 2007 (AB 1471) passed the State Senate. The legislation now heads back to the Assembly for a concurrence vote. The bill previously cleared the Assembly by a vote of 44-31.

"This is a major victory for police officers around the state and a powerful new tool to help track down armed criminals and solve gun murders," said Brady Campaign President Paul Helmke. "Our police are working harder than ever to catch criminals and keep them behind bars, yet almost half the homicides in California are unsolved. Giving police more tools like this to do their jobs is the common-sense thing to do."

The Crime Gun Identification Act would require that all new models of semi-automatic handguns sold in the State of California starting in 2010 be equipped with technology to allow police to match bullet casings found at a crime scene to the handgun that fired the bullets. This technology, known as "microstamping," consists of engraving microscopic characters representing the make, model and serial number of a handgun onto its firing pin and other internal surfaces. These characters transfer onto the cartridge casing when the handgun is fired.

Assemblyman Mike Feuer (D-42), a former Los Angeles City Councilmember who has long been an advocate for sensible gun laws, is the author of the bill. It is supported by the Los Angeles County Police Chiefs' Association, Orange County Chiefs' and Sheriff's Association, and the Peace Officers Research Association of California (PORAC), in addition to 65 police chiefs and sheriffs throughout the state.

Kay Holmen, the President of the California Brady Campaign Chapters, said, "Microstamping technology works and it will provide solid leads for the kind of gun crimes that lead to nothing but frustration for police and the families of victims. We applaud the State Senate for standing with police and gun violence victims throughout the state."

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As the nation's largest, non-partisan, grassroots organization leading the fight to prevent gun violence, the Brady Campaign, with its dedicated network of Million Mom March Chapters, works to enact and enforce sensible gun laws, regulations and public policies. The Brady Campaign is devoted to creating an America free from gun violence, where all Americans are safe at home, at school, at work, and in our communities.

For continuing insight and comment on the gun issue, read Paul Helmke's blog at www.bradycampaign.org/blog/. Visit the Brady Campaign website at www.bradycampaign.org.