Firearms: unsafe handguns: imprinting.
The amendment could significantly impact California's firearm laws and their enforcement. By allowing handguns without the specific imprinting technology to be deemed safe, this bill may increase the number of available handgun models for sale, potentially benefiting manufacturers and consumers who desire a broader selection. However, it raises concerns among gun safety advocates and public safety officials about maintaining robust safety standards for firearms sold in California, which are designed to prevent misuse and ensure accountability for gun-related incidents. The removal of the imprinting requirement could lead to difficulties in tracing firearms used in crimes, as this technology is intended to facilitate the identification of guns based on the cartridge cases left at crime scenes.
AB2733, introduced by Assembly Member Harper, aims to amend Section 31910 of the California Penal Code, which governs the criteria for determining whether a handgun is unsafe. Currently, California law requires certain firearms to be equipped with a microscopic array of characters that imprint identifying information on cartridge cases when fired. This bill proposes to remove the requirement that firearms must be designed with this imprinting technology, allowing more handguns to be listed on the roster of safe firearms without having this feature, provided they meet other safety standards. The intent of AB2733 is to facilitate the availability of handguns in the market by easing the stringent safety compliance measures set forth in existing law.
Notably, AB2733 has ignited discussions within the legislature regarding gun safety versus access to firearms. Proponents argue that easing the restrictions will not compromise safety while providing consumers greater choice in purchasing firearms. In contrast, opponents express that the removal of technological mandates could endanger communities by increasing the potential for untraceable guns to be used in crimes. Legislative deliberations will likely focus on balancing these interests and addressing concerns about the implications for public safety.