Schimel's New Term: Gun Law Passes; Microstamping Push Takes Hit

After taking the oath of office last week, it's been a busy few days in Albany for Assmbly. Michelle Schimel, D-Great Neck.

Reelected in November to represent New York's 16th District where she has served since 2007, Schimel has pledged to make microstamping of guns a top priority on her legislative agenda.

Although sweeping gun-control laws were passed this week with Schimel at the forefront of the restriction discussion, microstamping was not in the bill.

Microstamping of guns, which consists of laser-etching inside of a gun barrel to help police trace spent cartridges, was approved last year in the Democratic-led Assembly but failed to gain needed Republican support in the Senate.

Schimel said she was pleased with the gun package and that it received bipartisan support, but unsatisfied that a microstamping provision was not added to the legislation.

"I am obviously disappointed that it wasn't included. It speaks to how much of a touchstone it is to the gun lobby-and how much they are afraid of it," said Schimel Wednesday. "I will continue to push for microstamping — as it is the technology that deals with the great number of daily shootings we have sadly grown accustomed to — when there is no gun or murderer captured at the scene." 

Thus far in 2013, Schimel has co-sponsored several bills, including:

• A01095: Relates to providing oversight and monitoring the operations of an independent system operator.
• A02179: Requires notice from employers to customers of service charges and administrative fees that are not distributed to employees as gratuities
• A02180: Enacts the "safe patient handling act."
• A02183: Establishes the farm pesticide collection program for the collection and disposal of pesticides from farms within the state.
• A02189: Provides additional health services and employment benefits for veterans.
• A02193: Provides no exception may be granted to a summer day camp which is dedicated to a single activity if that activity meets the criteria of a nonpassive recreational activity.
• A02210: Provides for the time of staying, modifying or terminating family court orders in juvenile delinquency proceedings.
• A02247: Requires clinical education in pain management and establishes an advisory committee on pain management education.
• A02249: Adds medical and health insurance information within the definitions of identity theft.
• A02284: Requires that certain information be printed on appearance tickets for alleged traffic infractions.
• A02285: Relates to driving while intoxicated and the installation of ignition interlock devices.
• A02325: Relates to preliminary procedures, petitions and special provisions regarding abandoned infants.
• A02346: Enacts the "MTA board member attendance act."
• A02362: Adds to the definition of serious injury and relates to. determining the sufficiency of the evidence related to the serious injury.
• S02230: Enacts the NY SAFE Act of 2013.