Gun microstamping bill pulled from NYS Senate vote

Despite lobbying by officials including Mayor Michael Bloomberg, the State Senate on Tuesday night failed to pass legislation to require semiautomatic handguns made or sold in New York to "microstamp" unique identifying information on spent bullet casings.

Lawmakers began a roll-call vote, but before the results could be announced Deputy Minority Leader Jeffrey Klein (D-Bronx) pulled the bill from the floor. He acted because the measure was going to be defeated, said Senate Democratic spokesman Austin Shafran.

The microstamping bill still could come up later this year.

Earlier Tuesday, Bloomberg, surrounded by other city officials, said semiautomatics are the guns most used in crimes, with casings sometimes the only evidence leading back to a weapon. He was joined by police from Nassau.

Microstamping leaves the identification marks when a shot is fired. Bloomberg says it would add about $12 to the $450 average gun price.

The National Shooting Sports Foundation says the technology is flawed.

The Assembly repeatedly has approved a similar bill, sponsored by Assemb. Michelle Schimel (D-Great Neck).

With James T. Madore