SYRACUSE, NY -- Right now every new handgun sold in New York State needs a ballistic identification system image. It's a picture of the marks each gun makes on a bullet. The image is then entered into a database that police use to identify weapons used in crimes. Critics say the program, which has cost $44 million over the past ten years, has yet to solve a single case.
"It's not solving any crimes, it's just costing taxpayers money," said former police officer Tim Evanchak who now owns Tim's Guns in Elbridge. "It's not well thought out and they knew a lot of the stuff wasn't working with Maryland when they adopted the program."
On Wednesday, the New York Senate approved legislation sponsored by Senator Mike Nozzolio that would end the New York Combined Ballistic Identification System. California and Maryland have already ended similar programs that didn't produce many results. Helen Hudson from Mothers Against Gun Violence says that while the program may not be perfect - it can still help.
"We have to use everything we have, we have to use every tool we have and we have to start thinking a little innovatively because criminals are thinking very innovatively," said Helen Hudson.
Evanchak says the government should be more worried about illegal guns from other states than already well documented purchases in New York.
"If they went to federal licensing through the ATF, then you wouldn't be able to go to Georgia and buy a handgun off the street from somebody that was bought legally," said Evanchak. "And that's where a lot of them are coming from - out of state."
The legislation to end the ballistics database has passed in the State Senate but still needs to be voted on in the State Assembly.
