State Gun Database Has Not Led To Prosecution
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A statewide database set up seven years ago to keep track of individual handguns has not yet led to a single prosecution.
The database set up in 2001 by the state police stores identification from all pistol and revolvers sold in New York.
The system can be used to trace shell casings found at crime scenes.
Over 200,000 pistols and revolvers have been registered.
Critics of the plan complain the $1 million annual cost is too high.
Law enforcement officials say they believe over time the system will pay off. They also want to link it to a similar federal database which they say will help because many crimes are committed in the state with guns from other areas.
Maryland is the only other state that has such a system.