Smith and Wesson and Ruger vacate California

he two companies have announced they will stop selling their wares in the nation's most populous state rather than try to comply with a law that requires some handguns to have technology that imprints a tiny stamp on the bullet so it can be traced back to the gun. The companies, and many gun enthusiasts, say so-called "microstamping" technology is unworkable in its present form and can actually impair a gun's performance.

Smith & Wesson does not and will not include microstamping in its firearms,” the Springfield, Mass.,-based manufacturer said in a statement. “A number of studies have indicated that microstamping is unreliable, serves no safety purpose, is cost prohibitive and, most importantly, is not proven to aid in preventing or solving crimes.”

Southport, Conn.-based Sturm Ruger also announced this month that they will also stop selling their guns in California due to the microstamping law

Firearm microstamping, or ballistic imprinting, works by engraving a microscoping marking onto the tip of the firing pin. When the gun is fired, it leaves an imprint, usually of a serial number, on the bullet casings. The telltale mark theoretically allows law enforcement investigators to trace the bullet to the registered gun owner. California’s law is the first in the nation to be implemented and was originally signed into effect in October 2007, but not implemented until recently. Several other states are considering similar measures.

So, I have a question, will they require shooting areas to have casing shredding equipment? Some way to destroy and despose of spent casings? I mean those things fly all over and you usually sweep them into the casings bin. Will you have to take your own home with you? What if you accidentally pick up someone elses, would that be a crime. Do you all have to spend a hour or so after shooting sorting who's are who's.

How hard would it be, someone walks into a indoor shooting range, reaches into the bucket of spent casing and grab his (or her) fill. Now they head out and commit a crime, lets say a convenience store, drop the casings all over the floor. How many people do the police drag in and question. How do you explain your casings at the scene of a crime in a place you have never been. Innocent or not, you are now entangled in a mess.