Harry Tuttle
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Lawmaker Questions MSP Head's Gun Stance
http://www.thewbalchannel.com/news/4261958/detail.html
? SURVEY
Should the Maryland State Police continue the gun ballistics database?
Yes
No
Results | Disclaimer
State Police Superintendent, As Former Delegate, Voted Against Database
POSTED: 6:19 pm EST March 7, 2005
UPDATED: 8:20 pm EST March 7, 2005
ANNAPOLIS, Md. -- A state lawmaker holds the state's top law enforcement officer at issue for his recommendation to kill the state police ballistics fingerprinting program.
Howard County Delegate Neil Quinter, D-District 13, charges that state police Superintendent Col. Tim Hutchins' decision may have been influenced by the powerful pro-gun lobby, WBAL-TV 11 News reporter David Collins reported.
Guns leave a ballistic fingerprint, and spent shell casings have a unique mark. State police contend the program wasn't working, but supporters said the program should be given a chance, Collins said.
Since 2000, the Maryland State Police were supposed to be collecting test-fired casings from every gun sold in the state and entering the information into a database. The program was intended to help investigators match shell casings found at crime scenes with guns sold in the state.
But Hutchins recommended killing the program last month, claiming the system doesn't work.
Critics disagree, citing poor management.
"They have allowed manufacturers to put faulty cartridges into the system," said Josh Horowitz, the executive director of the Coalition to Stop Gun Violence.
Quinter suggested that the National Rifle Association, which opposes the database, convinced Hutchins to kill the program, Collins reported.
Video: David Collins Reports: MSP Superintendent's Political History At Issue
Before his appointment, Hutchins served as a member of the House of Delegates from 1995 to 2003 -- a Republican representing Charles County's District 28. During his tenure, he voted against creating a ballistics database, Collins reported.
"At this point, I can only observe the coincidence of his voting against establishing the program, taking over the state police, and then after taking over the state police, there's a complete change in position by that organization," Quinter said.
Campaign finance records indicate that the NRA gave Hutchins $500 in 2003 for his campaign in the House of Delegates, and gun manufacturer Berretta also contributed $500, Collins reported.
Records indicate that the gun lobby gave $14,000 to the Republican Party since 1999. Quinter cites a strong connection between the NRA and state police.
"The report that they (the state police) just issued cites, for its authority, the Web sites of local NRA-type groups," Quinter said.
Quinter compared the number of positive matches in the ballistic database with the state's DNA program. In each of their first five years, there were more ballistics hits.
He argued, like the DNA database, the ballistics database needs more time to develop.
"Maryland's ballistic database should be continued based on its record of success," Quinter said.
A hearing considering funding is scheduled for Wednesday.
Stay with TheWBALChannel.com and WBAL-TV 11 News for the latest Session 2005 updates.
Previous Stories:
January 17, 2005: State Police Report Recommends Suspending Ballistics ID System
http://www.thewbalchannel.com/news/4261958/detail.html
? SURVEY
Should the Maryland State Police continue the gun ballistics database?
Yes
No
Results | Disclaimer
State Police Superintendent, As Former Delegate, Voted Against Database
POSTED: 6:19 pm EST March 7, 2005
UPDATED: 8:20 pm EST March 7, 2005
ANNAPOLIS, Md. -- A state lawmaker holds the state's top law enforcement officer at issue for his recommendation to kill the state police ballistics fingerprinting program.
Howard County Delegate Neil Quinter, D-District 13, charges that state police Superintendent Col. Tim Hutchins' decision may have been influenced by the powerful pro-gun lobby, WBAL-TV 11 News reporter David Collins reported.
Guns leave a ballistic fingerprint, and spent shell casings have a unique mark. State police contend the program wasn't working, but supporters said the program should be given a chance, Collins said.
Since 2000, the Maryland State Police were supposed to be collecting test-fired casings from every gun sold in the state and entering the information into a database. The program was intended to help investigators match shell casings found at crime scenes with guns sold in the state.
But Hutchins recommended killing the program last month, claiming the system doesn't work.
Critics disagree, citing poor management.
"They have allowed manufacturers to put faulty cartridges into the system," said Josh Horowitz, the executive director of the Coalition to Stop Gun Violence.
Quinter suggested that the National Rifle Association, which opposes the database, convinced Hutchins to kill the program, Collins reported.
Video: David Collins Reports: MSP Superintendent's Political History At Issue
Before his appointment, Hutchins served as a member of the House of Delegates from 1995 to 2003 -- a Republican representing Charles County's District 28. During his tenure, he voted against creating a ballistics database, Collins reported.
"At this point, I can only observe the coincidence of his voting against establishing the program, taking over the state police, and then after taking over the state police, there's a complete change in position by that organization," Quinter said.
Campaign finance records indicate that the NRA gave Hutchins $500 in 2003 for his campaign in the House of Delegates, and gun manufacturer Berretta also contributed $500, Collins reported.
Records indicate that the gun lobby gave $14,000 to the Republican Party since 1999. Quinter cites a strong connection between the NRA and state police.
"The report that they (the state police) just issued cites, for its authority, the Web sites of local NRA-type groups," Quinter said.
Quinter compared the number of positive matches in the ballistic database with the state's DNA program. In each of their first five years, there were more ballistics hits.
He argued, like the DNA database, the ballistics database needs more time to develop.
"Maryland's ballistic database should be continued based on its record of success," Quinter said.
A hearing considering funding is scheduled for Wednesday.
Stay with TheWBALChannel.com and WBAL-TV 11 News for the latest Session 2005 updates.
Previous Stories:
January 17, 2005: State Police Report Recommends Suspending Ballistics ID System
