Blackhawker: I would love to read that report and speak with the knowledgeable reporter who authored it, on accounta it is my understanding that, contrary to popular (media) opinion, gangs do not stockpile or possess large amounts of ammo. One friend I met recently mentioned that although stolen handguns may be available on the streets, ammo ain't. I believe he mentioned that he could not recall when, after a handgun was confiscated at a 'scene', the magazine or cylinder did not contain ammo from 3 or 4 different manufacturers with different bullet types. It seems as though ammo is in greater demand than the guns are.
The thought of a couple of gangbangers hot-footin' it out to the local range to scrounge brass just to confuse the investigators at the scene of a crime is pretty far-fetched. In the first place, they would have to be there when nobody else is and they would have to know what they are looking for - both are a stretch. I cannot imagine a car load of gangbangers driving up to any range I know, at night, and getting out and using flashlights or headlights to see the brass they want to pick up, without alerting enough people to call up the reserves; nor can I see a bunch of gangbangers trying to pull that sort of a stunt during the light of day, which may be painful.
I think that, in truth, the only people who think of this are those who have a much greater knowledge of ammunition and how such a idea could be confusing to investigators. I just think this is way beyond the conceptual powers of most criminals and for gangs, somehow I just don't think so. jmtcw.