Top Gun Makers To Stop Selling Handguns In California Due To New Law
SAN FRANCISCO (CBS SF) - Smith & Wesson said Wednesday it will stop selling handguns in California rather than comply with a new state law, joining manufacturer Sturm, Rugger & Co, according to the Washington Times.
A new state requirement mandates that all new semi-automatic pistols have microstamping technology, a process that is designed to imprint a unique code on a bullets casing when the weapon is fired. The law was passed in 2007, but did not go into effect until last year. Smith & Wesson's president said most of the semi-automatic pistol line will become unavailable by August.
Critics of the law say the technology is unproven. A trade association for gun manufacturers has filed suit against the state to overturn the law.
Smith & Wesson will continue to sell bolt action rifles, as well as revolvers and their Shield line of pistols, according to the Times.
