By Jeff Knox

Mike Bloomberg and his Mayors Against Illegal Guns (MAIG) caused quite a stir in the gun rights community recently when they released a poll declaring that gun owners and NRA members support the group's gun control agenda. The poll was conducted by Frank Lutz's company "Word Doctors." The media gleefully reported the poll as indisputable fact while NRA and others cried "Foul," pointing out flaws in the pollster's methodology and challenging the results.

The flaws and distortions are undoubtedly real, but it is important for rights activists to carefully examine this poll to find data we can use to help our cause. In spite of its flaws, this poll demonstrates a serious failure on the part of rights groups and supporters in efforts to educate our less activist brethren. We're not preaching to the choir enough and not getting the right messages through to them.

Flawed Technology Remains Encumbered by Patents

Firearms microstamping, signed into law by Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger (R-Calif.) in October 2007 and slated to take effect this New Year's Day (2010), is not in effect since the technology remains encumbered by patents. Microstamping -- the process by which firearms manufacturers would have to micro laser-engrave a gun's make, model and serial number on two distinct parts of each gun, including the firing pin, so that in theory the information would be imprinted on the cartridge casing when the pistol is fired -- must be certified as patent-free by the California Department of Justice before the law can go into effect.

Though microstamping cannot be certified because the technology remains covered by patents, last month the California Department of Justice issued proposed regulations for the technology, a move that was questioned by the National Shooting Sports Foundation (NSSF) -- the trade association for the firearms industry.