SACRAMENTO –Assemblymember Lloyd Levine (D-Van Nuys) today made the following statement on the Assembly Floor regarding Assembly Bill 1471 by Assemblymember Mike Feuer (D-Los Angeles), a measure that would require new models of semiautomatic handguns to be equipped with microstamping technology:

“Throughout the state of California, incidences of gang violence are on the rise, as are incidences of gun violence. Assembly Bill 1471 provides law enforcement with an important tool to combat these alarming trends.

“Microstamping technology would allow law enforcement to tie a bullet casing to a bullet to a gun to an owner. Even if the owner did not commit a crime, at least this bill would provide law enforcement with one more lead in determining who did commit the crime.

“Mr. Feuer has a long track record of providing sensible legislation that is well thought out and well crafted. I appreciate his efforts on this public safety measure and I sincerely hope the Governor signs AB 1471.”

The measure was approved by the Assembly by a vote of 43-29 and now heads to the Governor for his consideration.

Assemblymember Levine is the author of Assembly Bill 334 – the Lost and Stolen Gun Notification Act – which would require the owner of a handgun to report to a local law enforcement agency a stolen or irretrievably lost handgun within five working days of the discovery in the attempt to crack down on gun trafficking.