Micro-Stamping | Ballistic "Fingerprinting"
The concept of “micro-stamping” is that a firearm’s firing pin or other internal parts could imprint, onto fired ammunition cartridge cases, unique microscopic codes, that the codes could be entered into a computerized database before the firearm leaves the factory, and that police investigators could pick up a cartridge case left at a crime scene, identify the markings on the case, run them against the database, and identify the criminal involved.
However, micro-stamping has repeatedly failed in tests, micro-stamped markings are easily removed, most guns do not automatically eject fired cartridge cases, only new guns—a small percentage of all guns—would be micro-stamped, most gun crimes cannot be solved by micro-stamping, most crimes don’t require micro-stamping to be solved, and most criminals get guns through unregulated channels that would not be affected by a micro-stamping requirement.
In 2008, the National Academy of Sciences evaluated the feasibility, accuracy and technical capability of a possible national database of so-called “ballistic images” from new guns sold in the United States. Citing a number of factors, the evaluation concluded, “A national reference ballistic image database should not be established.”
Tuesday, February 4, 2014
In 1983, Clint Eastwood reprised his “Dirty Harry” role in the movie “Sudden Impact,” set in the San ...
Monday, January 27, 2014
A new gun law proponents say helps law enforcement has driven Smith & Wesson and Sturm Ruger out ...
Friday, January 24, 2014
Gun maker Smith & Wesson announced Thursday that it would stop selling newly designed semiautomatic pistols in California ...
Friday, January 24, 2014
In 1976, the Brady Campaign, then known as the National Council to Control Handguns, said that the first ...
Friday, January 24, 2014
Since reporting on Jersey City, N.J., Mayor Steven Fulop's adoption of a gun control questionnaire for firearms vendors ...
Thursday, January 23, 2014
Smith & Wesson announced late Wednesday evening that it will stop selling its handguns in California rather than ...
Wednesday, January 15, 2014
Recently, the 2013-2014 legislative session reconvened on Beacon Hill. As reported last year, a series of public hearings ...
Friday, December 20, 2013
On Tuesday, December 17, the D.C. Council decided once again to delay microstamping implementation in the District after ...
Monday, May 20, 2013
The law, signed by then Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger, made California the first state to require micro stamping, which ...
Wednesday, August 29, 2012
Two venerable American gun manufacturers -- Remington and Colt -- could head for the West their weapons helped ...
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