[Congressional Record Volume 154, Number 20 (Thursday, February 7, 2008)]
[Senate]
[Page S787]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

      By Mr. KENNEDY:
  S. 2605. A bill to require certain semiautomatic pistols 
manufactured, imported, or sold by Federal firearms licensees to be 
capable of microstamping ammunition; to the Committee on the Judiciary.
  Mr. KENNEDY. Mr. President, today I am introducing the National Crime 
Gun Identification Act as an important step to reduce gun violence and 
support law enforcement. The bill requires semiautomatic handguns 
manufactured, imported or sold by federal firearms licensees to be 
equipped with microstamping technology. Congressman Xavier Becerra is 
introducing a companion measure in the House this week.
  Nearly 70 percent of homicides in 2006 involved a firearm, and 
handguns were the weapons of choice for most offenders. Handguns are 
also the weapons most often used in murders of law enforcement 
officers. There is an urgent need for effective, high-tech gun-tracing 
capabilities such as microstamping, which can provide law enforcement 
with a much-needed investigation resource in solving gun crimes.
  Microstamping uses lasers to make precise, microscopic engravings on 
the firing pin and chamber of a weapon, and this information is 
transferred onto the cartridge casing when the weapon is fired. The 
information includes the gun's make, model and serial number, and can 
yield important evidence to law enforcement officers investigating 
crimes. California has already enacted such legislation, and the 
technology has the support of many individuals and organizations, 
including Boston Mayor Thomas Menino, the Boston Police Department, 
Seattle Mayor Gregory Nickles, the U.S. Conference of Mayors, the 
Coalition to Stop Gun Violence, and the Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun 
Violence. Additionally, the National Black Caucus of State Legislators 
passed a resolution supporting the use of microstamping technology.
  Microstamping is a significant new technology for ballistics 
identification. Congress should obviously support emerging technologies 
that enable law enforcement to make more effective use of evidence at 
crime scenes. Current ballistic analyses, conducted through the 
National Integrated Ballistic Information Network, depend on the 
transfer of accidental markings from a gun barrel to bullets and 
cartridge cases, which are then compared to a limited database with 
evidence from other crime scenes.
  The current Ballistic Information Network has already been an 
invaluable resource for law enforcement. A remarkable number of crimes 
have been solved by using it, and it makes sense to invest in the next 
generation of ballistic technology. Microstamping in no way replaces 
any of the methods currently used by police to conduct ballistics 
tests, but it would clearly enhance the work currently done by law 
enforcement agencies.
  FBI data indicate that handguns are used in most homicides, 
accounting for nearly 7,800 murders in 2006. In Massachusetts, violent 
crime rates are on the rise--growing 11 percent in Boston in 2006. In 
2005, Boston police made a total of 754 gun arrests and 797 illegal 
firearm seizures. Nevertheless, from 1997 to 2005, shooting incidents 
have jumped a drastic 153 percent. We can help law enforcement solve 
more handgun crimes and reduce gun trafficking through the use of 
microstamping technology.
  Bullet casings are often the only evidence left behind at crime 
scenes, particularly in gang crimes such as drive-by shootings. In 
Boston during 2006, bullet casings were recovered from nearly half of 
crime scenes involving shootings. In those cases, investigators could 
obviously have benefited from knowing the make, model and serial number 
of the guns involved in those crimes. Microstamp information can also 
be used to identify straw buyers and gun traffickers who supply the 
illegal flow of weapons to violent teens, gang members and other 
prohibited purchasers.
  Critics of microstamping technology claim that perpetrators engaged 
in crime will be able to subvert the technology by filing the 
microstamped information off the weapons. In fact, however, 
microstamping is virtually tamperproof. The microstamped information is 
invisible to the naked eye, and most criminals would be unable to 
detect it. The microstamp is placed on the firing pin and in the 
chamber of the gun, so even if a perpetrator replaced the firing pin, 
the information would still be transferred to the casing from the 
chamber.
  Others argue that criminals will plant cartridges at crime scenes to 
disrupt investigations. Realistically, however, we know that offenders 
rarely take even the simplest precautions, such as wearing gloves 
during a burglary, when engaging in criminal behavior.
  Opponents also contend that microstamping will result in the creation 
of a new national database of gun owners. In fact, it will not result 
in any new database, because it will use information already available 
to law enforcement officers investigating gun crimes. In addition, 
microstamped information on bullet casings can be viewed with imaging 
equipment generally found at Federal, State and local forensics 
laboratories, making it unnecessary to create and maintain special 
equipment or facilities.
  Finally, critics claim that the cost of adding microstamping 
technology is prohibitive. In fact, the technology will be available to 
manufacturers through a free licensing agreement from its inventor. 
Based on independent estimates, adding the technology to new 
semiautomatic handguns will cost only 50 cents to a dollar for each 
firearm produced by large volume manufacturers.
  Handgun owners and prospective handgun purchasers will not be 
burdened by this legislation. There will be no changes in the 
procedures or requirements for purchasing handguns. Existing handguns 
and handgun owners will not be affected by this legislation since it 
applies only to new handguns.
  The technology has been thoroughly tested. Independent examiners have 
fired thousands of rounds from guns with microstamping, and have 
consistently obtained readable marks on the casings.
  Microstamping technology is urgently needed by law enforcement and 
can make a major difference in solving gun crimes. It is cost effective 
and will not impinge on the rights of any gun owners. I urge my 
colleagues to support law enforcement and reduce gun crimes by enacting 
this important legislation.
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