BILL NUMBER: AB 669	AMENDED
	BILL TEXT

	AMENDED IN SENATE  JUNE 20, 2001

INTRODUCED BY   Assembly Member Hertzberg

                        FEBRUARY 22, 2001

   An act to amend Section 12072.5 of the Penal Code, relating to
firearms.



	LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST


   AB 669, as amended, Hertzberg.  Firearms:  ballistics
identification systems study.
   Existing law requires the Attorney General to conduct a study to
evaluate ballistics identification systems, as defined, to determine
the feasibility and potential benefits to law enforcement of
utilizing a statewide ballistics identification system capable of
maintaining a data base of ballistic images and information from test
fired and sold firearms, as specified.  Under existing law, the
Attorney General is required to submit a report to the Legislature
with the results of the study no later than June 1, 2001.
   This bill would extend the date by which the Attorney General's
report is due to the Legislature to  June 1  
January 31  , 2002.
   Vote:  majority.  Appropriation:  no.  Fiscal committee:  no.
State-mandated local program:  no.


THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS:


  SECTION 1.  Section 12072.5 of the Penal Code is amended to read:
   12072.5.  (a) For purposes of this section, "ballistics
identification systems" includes, but is not limited to, any
automated image analysis system that is capable of storing firearm
ballistic markings and tracing those markings to the firearm that
produced them.
   (b) The Attorney General shall conduct a study to evaluate
ballistics identification systems to determine the feasibility and
potential benefits to law enforcement of utilizing a statewide
ballistics identification system capable of maintaining a data base
of ballistic images and information from test fired and sold
firearms.  The study shall include an evaluation of ballistics
identification systems currently used by state and federal law
enforcement agencies and the firearms industry.  The Attorney General
shall consult with law enforcement agencies, firearms industry
representatives, private technology providers, and other appropriate
parties in conducting the study.
   (c) In evaluating ballistics identification systems to determine
the feasibility of utilizing a statewide system as required pursuant
to subdivision (b), the Attorney General shall consider, at a
minimum, the following:
   (1) The development of methods by which firearm manufacturers,
importers, and dealers may potentially capture ballistic images from
firearms prior to sale in California and forward that information to
the Attorney General.
   (2) The development of methods by which the Attorney General will
receive, store, and make available to law enforcement ballistic
images submitted by firearm manufacturers, importers, and dealers
prior to sale in California.
   (3) The potential financial costs to the Attorney General of
implementing and operating a statewide ballistics identification
system, including the process for receipt of information from firearm
manufacturers, importers, and dealers.
   (4) The capability of a ballistics identification system
maintaining a data base of ballistic images and information from test
fired firearms for all firearms sold in California.
   (5) The compatibility of a ballistics identification system with
ballistics identification systems that are currently used by law
enforcement agencies in California.
   (6) A method to ensure that state and local law enforcement
agencies can forward ballistic identification information to the
Attorney General for inclusion in a statewide ballistics
identification system.
   (7) The feasibility and potential benefits to law enforcement of
requiring firearm manufacturers, importers, and dealers to provide
the Attorney General with ballistic images from any, or a selected
number of, test fired firearms prior to the sale of those firearms in
California.
   (d) The Attorney General shall submit a report to the Legislature
with the results of the study not later than  June 1
  January 31  , 2002.  In the event the report
includes a determination that a ballistics identification system and
data base is feasible and would benefit law enforcement, the report
shall also recommend a strategy for implementation.