Law Requiring Casing From New Handgun To Be Sent To Local PD

[Blam_Diggy]

When a new handgun is purchased in California, is it required that a test-fired casing be sent to the local police department by the seller? I'm referring to the casing in the little envelope inside of the box the gun comes in, of course.

Edit: By The Way, First Post. Nice forum you guys have here. I'm glad I found it.

[jmlivingston]

Nope, we aren't that bad yet. I believe that's only required in one state in the NE somewhere.

John

[Blam_Diggy]

Nope, we aren't that bad yet. I believe that's only required in one state in the NE somewhere.

John

Thanks for the quick reply, and the info. I'll expect that little envelope to still be there when I pick it up then.

[StukaJr]

My FN High Power came with a sealed envelope with a fired casing - just in case... Which brings me to the next two questions:

How much would a break in period alter the ballistic signature?

How much would basic gunsmith procedures like polishing the chamber or improving the extractor claw would negate markings left on the casings... Not mentioning firing pin replacement, wear etc...

My basic understanding of criminal ballistics suggest that the best bets are older firearms with factory or developed defects. Firearms are usually not fired a lot from the time of the crime to the time of the ballistics tests - what good is comparing a casing fired in shot # 1 and then a casing from shot # 12,000? I've had firearms that used to scratch brass something bad during the break-in period and since stopped doing that without any work done.

Another useless registration bill, put up with no research or feasible goals - I believe it was up in Massachusetts possibly?

[AJAX22]

It's just metal, unless it has a distinct flaw in it somwhere, polishing or just shooting the **** out of it will change the balistics.

however since none of the parts which create the case markings are regluated, nothing stops an individual from buying a complete new slide assembly and ejector.

It's a dumb idea, all it will have the effect of doing is adding on to the cost of a firearm.

[bwiese]

I believe it's MA and/or MD that require spent casing.

New Ruger SA wheelguns (the only handguns I've purchased lately) have them no matter where shipped.

[xjrguy]

I believe my Glock 30 purchased a couple years ago came with spent casings too.

[mblat]

My HK came with it....

How much would a break in period alter the ballistic signature?

Significantly. Not to mention that firing pin, extractor and barrel are very easy to change to begin with.

My basic understanding of criminal ballistics suggest that the best bets are older firearms with factory or developed defects.

Well my basic undestanding, is that ballistics tests are good for ruling out guns. For example if you have bullet and casing you can rule out Glock in favor of CZ or other way around. Or S&W because they all have different rifling.
However if you have 2 guns of the same type with about the same milage chances are that no ballistic test will be definite enough to be presented in court of law....

[Smokeybehr]

I believe it's MA and/or MD that require spent casing.

It's Taxachusetts that has the casing law, along with a lot of other stupid gun laws.

[383green]

It would be funny if the manufacturers included a piece of crocus cloth in the package, right next to the envelope with the spent casing...