"The unique markings left on the casing and bullet like fingerprints . . ."
This "Ballistic Fingerprint" phrase probably is destined to become another co-opted mantra by the antis. Every time I see this phrase in print, I ask the reporter if he/she has ever heard of fingerprints that changed as they got older and then tell them about barrel erosion, breechblock or firing pin replacement, etc. I'm unable to find Ms Zoll's email anywhere (deep in the bowels of the Associated Press), but the next time your local paper pushes this line, nail 'em.
In the meantime, join me in enlightening Lt. Gov. Fogarty at: riltg@ltgov.state.ri.us
STORY
By Rachel Zoll, Associated Press
PROVIDENCE, R.I. (AP) Handgun manufacturers would be required to give the state a shell casing and bullet fired from each new weapon sold in Rhode Island under legislation proposed Wednesday.
The unique markings left on the casing and bullet like fingerprints would be screened and the images entered into a database that police would use to track the gun and owner if the weapon is used in a crime.
Maryland and New York have recently enacted similar laws.
Lt. Gov. Charles Fogarty, who proposed the idea, said the measure was not meant to slow or stop the shipment of guns to Rhode Island, but to help police solve crimes.
''We're not doing this in any way to prevent people from lawfully purchasing weapons,'' Fogarty said in a Statehouse news conference, surrounded by police and lawmakers who support the bill.
Donn DiBiaso, owner of D-B Guns in Providence, argued the requirement could shut down dealers and discourage manufacturers from doing business in the state.
''The NRA has opposed this type of legislation in every state that it's been introduced in,'' he said. ''Some manufacturers, it's just going to add too much to their cost to supply these shell casings or projectiles.''
Gun makers or dealers who fail to comply would be fined $500 for the first offense, which would be a civil violation. A second offense would be a misdemeanor punishable by fine up to $1,000 and a year in prison.
Ken Jorgensen, spokesman for Smith & Wesson in Springfield, Mass., one of the nation's biggest handgun makers, said the laws in Maryland and New York have not curtailed his company's business in those states.
However, he expressed concern over the logistics of retrieving bullets in the test firing process, which is done before any weapon is shipped. Maryland and New York require only the casing be sent to police.
''They're fired down range into bullet traps and the mechanical process of recovering bullets, that would add another whole level of complexity and cost,'' Jorgensen said.
Rhode Island already has a database of guns and shell casings recovered from crime scenes. The ballistic fingerprinting system would greatly enhance investigators' ability to track down criminals, said Dennis Hilliard, director of the Rhode Island State Crime Laboratory.
''Over time, the marks remain,'' Hilliard said, although the gun owner can file down the gun barrel to change them.
State police Col. Edmond Culhane acknowledged that many crimes are committed with stolen or illegally purchased guns. Still, he said the database would be an important tool.
''It gives you a place to start,'' Culhane said.
The law, if enacted, would take effect March 2002, and would cost about $50,000 the salary for a data entry clerk in the crime lab.
The key to the success of the program is devising uniform rules among states for shipping the casings and bullets, Fogarty and gun manufacturers say.
''We're looking for a standardized procedure,'' said Doug Painter, executive director of the National Shooting Sports Foundation, which represents gun makers. ''So you aren't literally having to use a paper bag for Rhode Island versus a plastic bag for Maryland.''
© Copyright 2001 Boston Globe Electronic Publishing, Inc.
[Edited by Oatka on 01-25-2001 at 12:45 PM]
This "Ballistic Fingerprint" phrase probably is destined to become another co-opted mantra by the antis. Every time I see this phrase in print, I ask the reporter if he/she has ever heard of fingerprints that changed as they got older and then tell them about barrel erosion, breechblock or firing pin replacement, etc. I'm unable to find Ms Zoll's email anywhere (deep in the bowels of the Associated Press), but the next time your local paper pushes this line, nail 'em.
In the meantime, join me in enlightening Lt. Gov. Fogarty at: riltg@ltgov.state.ri.us
STORY
By Rachel Zoll, Associated Press
PROVIDENCE, R.I. (AP) Handgun manufacturers would be required to give the state a shell casing and bullet fired from each new weapon sold in Rhode Island under legislation proposed Wednesday.
The unique markings left on the casing and bullet like fingerprints would be screened and the images entered into a database that police would use to track the gun and owner if the weapon is used in a crime.
Maryland and New York have recently enacted similar laws.
Lt. Gov. Charles Fogarty, who proposed the idea, said the measure was not meant to slow or stop the shipment of guns to Rhode Island, but to help police solve crimes.
''We're not doing this in any way to prevent people from lawfully purchasing weapons,'' Fogarty said in a Statehouse news conference, surrounded by police and lawmakers who support the bill.
Donn DiBiaso, owner of D-B Guns in Providence, argued the requirement could shut down dealers and discourage manufacturers from doing business in the state.
''The NRA has opposed this type of legislation in every state that it's been introduced in,'' he said. ''Some manufacturers, it's just going to add too much to their cost to supply these shell casings or projectiles.''
Gun makers or dealers who fail to comply would be fined $500 for the first offense, which would be a civil violation. A second offense would be a misdemeanor punishable by fine up to $1,000 and a year in prison.
Ken Jorgensen, spokesman for Smith & Wesson in Springfield, Mass., one of the nation's biggest handgun makers, said the laws in Maryland and New York have not curtailed his company's business in those states.
However, he expressed concern over the logistics of retrieving bullets in the test firing process, which is done before any weapon is shipped. Maryland and New York require only the casing be sent to police.
''They're fired down range into bullet traps and the mechanical process of recovering bullets, that would add another whole level of complexity and cost,'' Jorgensen said.
Rhode Island already has a database of guns and shell casings recovered from crime scenes. The ballistic fingerprinting system would greatly enhance investigators' ability to track down criminals, said Dennis Hilliard, director of the Rhode Island State Crime Laboratory.
''Over time, the marks remain,'' Hilliard said, although the gun owner can file down the gun barrel to change them.
State police Col. Edmond Culhane acknowledged that many crimes are committed with stolen or illegally purchased guns. Still, he said the database would be an important tool.
''It gives you a place to start,'' Culhane said.
The law, if enacted, would take effect March 2002, and would cost about $50,000 the salary for a data entry clerk in the crime lab.
The key to the success of the program is devising uniform rules among states for shipping the casings and bullets, Fogarty and gun manufacturers say.
''We're looking for a standardized procedure,'' said Doug Painter, executive director of the National Shooting Sports Foundation, which represents gun makers. ''So you aren't literally having to use a paper bag for Rhode Island versus a plastic bag for Maryland.''
© Copyright 2001 Boston Globe Electronic Publishing, Inc.
[Edited by Oatka on 01-25-2001 at 12:45 PM]