Briefs from the state Capitol
Associated Press
February 26, 2003
HARTFORD, Conn. -- Democratic and Republican lawmakers are proposing legislation that would set up a database of ballistic fingerprinting in the state to help law enforcement identify bullets used during crimes.
The "fingerprints" are made on bullets and cartridge casings when a gun is fired.
The law would require firearms dealers to send a spent bullet and shell casing from new handguns, pistols and revolvers to the state Department of Public Safety after a firearm is sold. The image of the fingerprint would be recorded and entered into a searchable database.
"This is moving safe handgun control into the technological age," said Sen. William Nickerson, R-Greenwich.
About 30,000 new handguns are sold each year in Connecticut, lawmakers said.
Currently, New York and Maryland are the only states with gun fingerprinting programs.
Connecticut lawmakers want to form a compact with Massachusetts to share a database of the ballistic fingerprints. They hope other states will join the compact later and expand the database.
Rep. Michael Lawlor, D-East Haven, said that if the proposal is approved this year, it will take several years to establish. He estimated it could cost as much as $1 million if the state has to buy equipment to build the database, but less if several states share the burden of creating one.
Copyright © 2003, The Associated Press
