Gun-etching measure passes Assembly

Gun-etching measure passes Assembly – Assembly Democrats, including Addie J. Russell, have won the latest gun-control battle in Albany. But state Republicans, such as Assemblyman Kenneth D. Blankenbush, look certain to win the war.  The Assembly voted 84-55 on Tuesday — Mrs. Russell was one of the 84, and Mr. Blankenbush was one of the 55 — to approve a measure that would require semiautomatic pistols sold in the state to be able to etch a unique code onto bullet casings when the bullet is fired. Police investigating crimes could use the code to help trace gun ownership.  The bill, though, is a long shot in the GOP-controlled Senate.