In light of the recent tragic shooting massacres in Colorado and Wisconsin, Assemblyman Phil Ramos (D-Brentwood) is again calling on the state Senate to pass key legislation that would protect families across New York by cracking down on gun violence.

“Our families’ safety should not be a matter of politics,” Assemblyman Ramos said. “The National Rifle Association’s (NRA) wishes should never be put ahead of innocent families. The Senate must stop taking their marching orders from special interest groups and focus on protecting our citizens by ending gun violence on our streets.”

The bill, dubbed the Crime Gun Identification Act of 2012, would require semiautomatic pistols manufactured or delivered to licensed dealers in New York State on or after Jan. 1, 2014, be capable of microstamping (A.1157-B). The measure has now passed the Assembly four consecutive years, and would help law enforcement trace spent bullet cartridges to the guns that fired them, giving investigators critical information to track down criminals.

“Guns and gun violence have devastating effects on our community and only serve to tear us apart,” Assemblyman Ramos said. “Microstamping would give law enforcement the evidence they need to get an investigation moving. It could mean the difference between catching a violent criminal or letting them get away.”

Assemblyman Ramos explained that when a cartridge is microstamped, information identifying the make, model and serial number of the gun is stamped on the cartridge by laser etched internal mechanisms. The markings would be made twice on each cartridge, leaving no mistake as to the fired bullet’s origin.

“I strongly urge the Senate to take up this important crime fighting measure,” Assemblyman Ramos said. “We need to do everything possible to prevent senseless gun violence and keep our communities safe.”