Microstamping imprints a unique alpha-numeric code on every shell casing ejected from a semi-automatic handgun, allowing police and investigators at a crime scene to trace the casings back to the original gun purchaser. Supported by police departments, law enforcement organizations, district attorneys, and over 100 mayors from across New York State, microstamping would help solve long-open crimes, often committed by hardened criminals. But perhaps most importantly, it would go far toward limiting the persistent tragedies of daily life in big cities and other communities–the drive-by shootings, the random shots into crowds or outside of schools and other civic institutions that result in often-traceless deaths and, inevitably, in the devastation of families and communities.

The recent Memorial Day weekend alone witnessed shootings in New York City boroughs that resulted in several seemingly unmotivated deaths–crimes that are currently unsolved because they are traceless, but that could be easily resolved with an electronic click, were legal requirements for microstamping in effect.

Greater New York City for Change is partnering with New Yorkers Against Gun Violence to phone bank this week, calling on constituents of the few wavering state senators, including Marty Golden here in Bay Ridge, to do the right thing for public safety and to enforce its number-one legislative priority. Our friends at Tribeca for Change, Democracy for New York City (DFNYC), Upper West Side Democrats for Progress, Downtown East for Obama, and Brooklyn for Barack, among other groups, are in, too. We need your help, so please join us for an hour or two, in numbers! A sweet victory–for common-sense regulation, public security and well-being, and an end to the too-powerful control of the gun lobby over democratic rights– is at hand if YOU get involved.