Monday, February 16, 2009

California Microstamping Bill

One thing that has had many Californians fearful for their continued 2nd Amendment rights is the signing into law of AB 1471, Crime Gun Identification Act of 2007, effective January 1, 2010.

This law requires that new concealable weapons to have a means of imprinting the make, model, and serial number of the weapon on cartridge cases fired by that weapon.

The text of the law may be found here.

At first blush it may seem that this law would end the sale of handguns in the state, unless firemarma manufacturers started making boutique guns just for the California market. But calguns.net has an interesting analysis on this issue here.

If this is true, then it would seem that we have nothing to worry about, right?

David Codrea has an update that indicates that the patent loophole may not be as large as we would wish, and I have great faith in the capacity of California to implement any law, no matter how practical, to further a politically correct idea.

And guns are about as politically incorrect an area in California as one can find, with the exception of opposition to gay marriage.

This was one large reason that I hurried forward my purchase of a handgun. It may be the only one I'll ever get to own in this state.

2 comments:

Anonymous said...

Your "Guns Used in Crime" link is to data that's over 14 years old.

Jerry The Geek said...

Your link to California AB1471 reveals the 2007-2008 bill, correctly referring to Microstamping of Ammunition, which is listed as "Inactive".

However, it does not appear to be 'enacted'.

On the other hand, California AB1471 ... which has been enacted into law ... refers to procurement of equipment for the Los Angeles Metropolitan Transit Authority.

Can you provide evidence that the "Microstamping of Ammunition" bill (died in committee in 2007-2008) has been re-introduced in the 2009-2009 session, and has consequently been enacted into California law?

I'm only asking because I can't find it.