Assemblyman Will Barclay (R,C,I,-Pulaski) recently voted against anti-Second Amendment legislation which would add yet another regulatory layer to firearms ownership. Assembly bill 1157-A would prohibit the sale of semi-automatic pistols without being “microstamp-ready.”

“This is another attempt by New York City special interests to restrict our constitutional rights,” said Barclay. “Microstamping is nothing but a costly hindrance to Upstate manufacturers and has proven to be ineffective.”

Microstamping has been a controversial issue in New York for many years. It would force manufacturers to produce a unique alpha-numeric or geometric code on the firing pin identifying the make, model, and serial number of the pistol. Manufacturers would bear the cost of implementing this new regulation. The success of this technology is unproven.

“Gun manufacturers have yet to devise technology that can ensure the make, model, and serial number of the pistol is coded into an expended cartridge. Further, it could force firearms manufacturers out of New York,” said Barclay.

Unfortunately, the bill passed the Assembly yesterday 84-55. It is up to the Senate now to prevent this bill from becoming law.

“I have voted this measure down in the past and I will continue to do so. If there is going to be anti-gun legislation, then it should crack down on possession of illegal firearms and crack down on the criminals who use them, not on the law-abiding citizens of New York,” said Barclay.