February 17, 2010

The Gun Trail: Tracking guns that go missing

Posted: 10:00 AM ET
American Morning - amFIX blog
Filed under: Crime • The Gun Trail

Editor's Note: There is a major fight going on at the local level over a new law intended to keep guns out of criminal hands. Critics say it's just another case of legislating against the legal and responsible gun owners. Our Ed Lavandera has the report for part three of our American Morning original series, "The Gun Trail."

Ed Lavandera reports on a controversial law about tracking lost and stolen guns.
By Ed Lavandera, CNN

Jana Finder says not enough is being done to keep illegally trafficked guns off Pennsylvania's streets. This might be the heart of northeastern gun country.

Finder, along with a group called "Ceasefire PA," has launched a grassroots campaign to get local governments to sign on to what's become a highly controversial law, called "lost and stolen" ordinances.

Supporters of gun rights hate it. The ordinances require gun owners to report if their weapons have been lost or stolen, usually within 24 hours.

"There is very strong support from law officers,â€