Spent Cartridge in New Gun Box

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pat crotty

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I recently bought a new pistol in Colorado. In the gun case was an envelope with a spent cartridge that was supposedly fired from the gun in the case. What am I supposed to do with the spent cartridge? Does the manufacture also send other spent cartridges to other parties that were fired from that gun? If so, what do the other parties do with that spent cartridge? Is all this decreed by federal and or state laws? I suppose there are certain marks left on a spent cartridge that can be identified and recorded in data a base, so that they can be compared to the marks from another spent cartridge and if a match is found it is presumed that it was fired from the same gun originally recorded in the data base. If that is so, then what is the accuracy of such findings? Are such findings admissible in criminal court cases? I could ask a lot more relevant question, but I’ll let it rest there. Thanks for any enlightenment.
Sincerely, Pat Crotty
 
That's happened with the new guns I buy as well. Don't know about the laws, but it's my understanding (from NRA mag) that you can annhilate the chances of a match by a good brushing of your barrel. Worst case scenario solved, from your perspective (no matter the legality).
 
Some states require a spent cartridge to register the gun. Manufacturers just include them sometimes so that they don't have to worry about which state they send their guns to.
 
Some states require a spent cartridge to register the gun. Manufacturers just include them sometimes so that they don't have to worry about which state they send their guns to.
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I believe it's just Maryland. You have to submit the cartridge yourself. I'm almost positive that with most manufacturers there are no other "copies" kept anywhere, so if you don't intend to move to Maryland you can probably just throw it away and forget all about it.

As stated, they just include them in all their guns so they don't have to worry about which ones go to states that require this (and again, I think it's just MD).
 
Juan, I'm not 100% sure.. but the think NY also has a bullet 'fingerprinting' system in place for handguns. I live here.. but I have not gone through the ringer yet to get a hand gun permit.

I only have a couple dozen long guns :D :D
 
Actually, I was told by H&K that they did that for quality assurance purposes. The weapon was test fired, and the spent casing was proof that the gun was test fired to ensure that it operated properly before reaching the customer.

To the best of my knowledge, the only place that requires ballistic registration is Maryland, but I heard that the governor was considering scrapping that program due to its high cost and that it hadn't been useful in solving crimes. I don't believe that Colorado even requires registration of guns, let alone ballistic prints.

Try contacting the manufacturer and see what they say about your spent casing. It's probably the same situation as I said above.
 
huh thats odd because I live in maryland and never recieved a spent case, is this just hand guns? am I required by law to give the case to some one?
 
The only thing I would differ on is that I wouldn't throw it away. I have bought a few older S&Ws (1980's) with box and papers makes my day and they bring a little more. I think this would be a plus if you ever sell the gun, especially if there is any collector interest.
 
Overman is correct.

That spent casing is there in compliance with some state laws that requre all new handguns to be fingerprinted. NY has had such a law in effect for a few years now. Not all manufacturers include a spent casing with their firearms. In the event one didnt get included, a gunshop must send the gun to a designated local facility to get a spent casing so they may send one to state police.

This only applies to new handguns and only in states that have that law.
 
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