Response from senator Campbell on AB352

[Janitor]

A couple/few days ago, I had writen an email to Senator Campbell (district 35 in the PRK) to express my feelings on AB352. I'm fairly sure he got the impression that I'm against it.

His response:

Thank you for your recent e-mail regarding AB 352 (Koretz) which would require specified semiautomatic pistols to be equipped with microscopic identifying markings which are transferred to each cartridge case when the firearm is fired. I understand your concerns.

AB 352 is currently in the Senate. I believe this bill will have a harmful impact on current law enforcement efforts as well as the manufacturers of ammunition used by our nation’s armed services and local law enforcement agencies.

Criminals will easily defeat the technology. As with 'ballistic imaging,' criminals can and will easily defeat the 'micro-stamping' technology by simply filing away or scratching with a steel/wire brush the surface of the firearm where the laser engraving has been placed. Criminals will do this for the same reason they deface the serial number on firearms to avoid detection by law enforcement. Criminals will be able to confuse the police and send them on 'wild goose' chases by simply throwing around at crime scenes expended cartridge casings (having a make model and serial number imprinted on them) from other firearms.

Mandating this technology will dramatically increase the price of firearms for all consumers, including municipalities and the State of California purchasing firearms for law enforcement agencies. This is because firearms for the civilian, law enforcement and military markets are all manufactured at the same time on the same machines using the same equipment and manufacturing processes. The cost would have to be spread across all products in all markets necessarily resulting in significantly higher prices for all products.

For these reasons, I expect to oppose AB 352 if it comes to a vote in the Senate.

You may follow the process of this bill or any other legislation by logging onto the Senate Web Page at www.senate.ca.gov; clicking on ‘Legislation’ on the left hand toolbar and following instructions from there.

John Campbell

Senator 35th District

In his defense, at least it seems he understands how this will affect the criminals it's meant to capture. And that is not one whit.

But this:

Mandating this technology will dramatically increase the price of firearms for all consumers, including municipalities and the State of California purchasing firearms for law enforcement agencies. This is because firearms for the civilian, law enforcement and military markets are all manufactured at the same time on the same machines using the same equipment and manufacturing processes. The cost would have to be spread across all products in all markets necessarily resulting in significantly higher prices for all products.

has me a bit nervous. Seems one of his larger concerns with the bill is that there's no way to implement without costing the military and law enforcement as much as it costs consumers. I'm also not sure why he thinks this is going to cost ammunition manufacturers any money at all. His letter makes it clear that he understands this is something done to the guns and not the ammunition. *sigh*

Well - it may be the right thing for (at least partially) the wrong reasons, but I think we've had far too little of the right thing, so I'll gladly take it.

 

[ssr]

Sounds like he gave a good response to me. I don't see where he specifically mentions ammunition manufacturers in there.

It sounds like he understands that it will be ineffective for it's stated purpose and will only add negatives (added cost).

 

[SpaceCowboy]

He does mention ammunition makers in there in the second paragraph. I am not sure how they would be affected. Would they have to make their brass thinner or change the primer to take the stamp better? Regardless, he's against it and was correct on 99% of the issue. I hope it dies in the senate. Good luck.

 

[Janitor]

Sounds like he gave a good response to me. I don't see where he specifically mentions ammunition manufacturers in there.

Well ...

I believe this bill will have a harmful impact on current law enforcement efforts as well as the manufacturers of ammunition used by our nation’s armed services and local law enforcement agencies.

As I said earlier - I'm fine with the right thing for partially the wrong reasons - I'd be happy with the right thing for completely the wrong reasons. Long as the bill dies a quick, and final death.

It sounds like he understands that it will be ineffective for it's stated purpose and will only add negatives (added cost).

Yes - he seems to be a politician who can see through much of the rhetoric, and is able to understand how much this would affect crime.

But ... as far as the downside I cite is concerned - His only issue with cost seems to be that manufacturing costs would be the same for leo/military weapons and citizens both. He doesn't want cost to the gubment to go up with it all.

Again - he is going to vote the right way, and he's got a decent understanding on just how effectual this bill would be against crime.

And - in his defense (against the likes of me) - I'm reading his letter very critically to come up with my complaint. He does NOT come out and say what I speculate. That he really doesn't mention civilians in this (except that the state would have to pay the same amount extra they would) doesn't mean that he isn't concerned for how it would affect them.

"Absense of evidence is not evidence of absence."

Ok. He's a good guy. I agree.

SIDEBAR:

Good luck

Good luck to all of us friend. Note that I'm reporting on a conversation with another states senator. This bill wasn't a direct threat up here in the north country at this point in time. If we have enough senators like Campbell in PRK, then it may never be.

Fingers crossed.

 

[ssr]

OK, OK, so I missed the ammo makers part.

 

[Spot77]

I hope it dies in the senate

Even if it gets DESTROYED in the Senate, you can bet that it'll be back in one form or another next year.


Be sure you vocally support the legislators that help kill this bill. Make sure you send a Thank You note to whoever votes against it.

 

[Standing Wolf]

Mandating this technology will dramatically increase the price of firearms for all consumers...

Somebody really ought to clue him in: that's the point!

Even if it gets DESTROYED in the Senate, you can bet that it'll be back in one form or another next year.

If the leftist extremists in the People's Republic of California had any sense, they'd just tax ammunition out of the reach of commoners. They must be uncommonly dull-witted.