Technological Resource to Assist Criminal Enforcement (TRACE) Act

Summary

Technological Resource to Assist Criminal Enforcement (TRACE) Act - Amends the Brady Handgun Violence Prevention Act to require a licensed manufacturer or importer of firearms to: (1) test fire manufactured or imported firearms as specified by the Attorney General; (2) prepare ballistics images of the fired bullet and cartridge casings; (3) make the records available to the Attorney General for entry into a computerized database; and (4) store the fired bullet and cartridge casings. Directs the Attorney General to assist firearm manufacturers and importers in complying with these requirements by: (1) acquiring, installing, and upgrading ballistics equipment and bullet and cartridge casing recovery equipment; (2) hiring or designating sufficient personnel to develop and maintain a ballistics database; (3) providing education about the role of ballistics; and (4) providing for the coordination among law enforcement, regulatory agencies, and the firearm industry to curb firearm-related crime and illegal firearm trafficking. Requires the Attorney General to: (1) establish a computer system through which State and local law enforcement agencies can promptly access ballistics records; (2) require training for all ballistics examiners; (3) conduct mandatory ballistics testing of all firearms obtained by or in the possession of the Department of Justice; and (4) report to Congress on the implementation of this Act. Prohibits the use of ballistics information of individual guns for prosecutorial purposes unless officials have a reasonable belief that a crime has been committed and that ballistics information would assist in the investigation.

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Timeline

1. 13 February 2003

   Introduced

   Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.

   Source: IntroReferral

2. 13 February 2003

   Introduced

   Introduced in House

   Source: IntroReferral

3. 13 February 2003

   Introduced

   Introduced in House

   Source: IntroReferral

4. 6 March 2003

   Referred

   Referred to the Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism, and Homeland Security.

   Source: Committee

Votes

No vote records are attached yet.

Versions

• Introduced in House · 13 February 2003 · Official file

Documents

3 official files

• Introduced in House (text)

  Introduced in House · EN · 13 February 2003

  ViewDownloadOpen at official source

• Introduced in House (PDF)

  Introduced in House · EN · 13 February 2003

  ViewDownloadOpen at official source

• Introduced in House

  summary · EN · 13 February 2003

  Open at official source

Sponsors

• Rep. Andrews, Robert E. [D-NJ-1] · D · Sponsor
• Anna Eshoo · D · Sponsor
• Rep. Meehan, Martin T. [D-MA-5] · D · Cosponsor
• Del. Norton, Eleanor Holmes [D-DC-At Large] · D · Cosponsor
• Rep. Moran, James P. [D-VA-8] · D · Cosponsor
• Rep. Woolsey, Lynn C. [D-CA-6] · D · Cosponsor
• Rep. Brown, Corrine [D-FL-5] · D · Cosponsor
• Rep. Wexler, Robert [D-FL-19] · D · Cosponsor
• Rep. Lantos, Tom [D-CA-11] · D · Cosponsor
• Rep. Abercrombie, Neil [D-HI-1] · D · Cosponsor
• Sen. Markey, Edward J. [D-MA] · D · Cosponsor
• Rep. Hoeffel, Joseph M. [D-PA-13] · D · Cosponsor
• Barbara Lee · D · Cosponsor
• Rep. Frank, Barney [D-MA-4] · D · Cosponsor
• WM. CLAY · D · Cosponsor
• Rep. Shays, Christopher [R-CT-4] · R · Cosponsor
• Rep. Owens, Major R. [D-NY-12] · D · Cosponsor
• Raúl Grijalva · D · Cosponsor
• Zoe Lofgren · D · Cosponsor
• Rep. Kucinich, Dennis J. [D-OH-10] · D · Cosponsor
• ALCEE HASTINGS · D · Cosponsor
• Rep. Berman, Howard L. [D-CA-26] · D · Cosponsor
• Rep. Pallone, Frank [D-NJ-6] · D · Cosponsor
• LOUISE SLAUGHTER · D · Cosponsor
• · hsju00 · Standing

Related records

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