SACRAMENTO – A long-time advocate for gun regulation and education, Assembly Member Mark DeSaulnier was presented with the California Brady Campaign Excellence in Leadership Award for his past commitment and co-authorship of Assembly Bill 1471.

The California Chapter of the Brady Campaign Against Gun Violence traveled to Sacramento to express their outrage about the recent Virginia Tech shootings and frustration about rising gun violence in California’s communities. The Brady Campaign honored legislators who carry bills to give law enforcement the tools and resources they need to fight gun crimes.

“I am proud to continue this good work with the California Brady Campaign,” said DeSaulnier. “Leaders in my district are working hard to stem the tide of youth violence and gun crime in our communities. This honor from the Brady Campaign is an indication that we are moving in a positive direction.”

AB 1471 − The Crime Gun Identification Act of 2007 − would require that new models of semiautomatic handguns be equipped with microstamping technology. This consists of engraving microscopic characters onto the firing pin and chamber, which would be transferred onto the cartridge casing when the handgun is fired.  The stamped casings could identify the crime gun and its purchaser.

“Working with groups like the Brady Campaign moves the debate forward and makes it possible to get guns out of the hands of dangerous criminals and those troubled youth who feel trapped in hopeless situations.”

“I hope my colleagues in the Legislature and, eventually, the Governor hear the call of the Brady Campaign and pass AB 1471 into law.” finished DeSaulnier.

DeSaulnier is also a member of the Assembly Select Committee on Youth Violence Prevention.