Assemblyman Will Barclay (R,C,I,-Pulaski) said today including language that would govern gun manufacturers in a budget bill is ludicrous. This is a stand-alone issue, Barclay said. Barclay opposes micro-stamping because it would put unnecessary burdens on gun manufacturers and has not proven to be successful.

The Assembly budget bill, A9055C, is 73 pages long and includes topics ranging from disaster preparedness and state contracting to micro-stamping.

"Micro-stamping does not have a place in a budget bill. Last year, I voted against a similar measure in the Assembly when it was brought to the floor as a stand-alone bill. This is yet another attempt by New York City special interests to restrict our constitutional rights,” said Barclay. “Micro-stamping is nothing but a costly hindrance to Upstate manufacturers and has proven to be ineffective.”

Micro-stamping 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.

Last year, the Assembly passed this measure but the Senate did not.

“I have voted against this measure in the past. 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 and the gun manufacturers,” said Barclay. "Further, including this in a budget bill is politics at its best in the Assembly majority. These all-encompassing budget bills force lawmakers to vote yes or no on a whole slew of items that should be addressed individually."

There will be an annual Sportsmen’s Day in Albany on March 20 from 9 a.m. to Noon. Barclay invites anyone interested in protecting Second Amendment rights to join him in Albany that day. For more information, call (315) 598-5185.