Smith and Wesson Avoiding California Law

Gun manufacturer Smith & Wesson Corp. says it won't sell new models of its semi-automatic handguns in California to avoid complying with a provision in the state's gun law that took effect last year. Springfield, Massachusetts-based Smith & Wesson said Thursday it won't add microstamping, a marking used to differentiate bullet casings, on those products as the law requires. The company said microstamping is cost prohibitive and unreliable as a crime deterrent.