Firearms Industry Calls Gun Microstamping Ill-Advised and Says Bill Will Lead to a Ban on Ammunition Sales in California 

NEWTOWN, Conn. - The National Shooting Sports Foundation (NSSF), the trade association for the firearms industry, said today that Senate passage of AB 352, legislation which will mandate the use of unreliable, patented, sole-sourced technology to microstamp firearms and allow the Attorney General to require bullet serialization of all ammunition is ill-conceived and will result in a ban on ammunition sales in the state, burdening sportsmen, hunters and firearms enthusiasts. Microstamping is a patented process that laser engraves the firearm’s make, model and serial number on the tip of the gun’s firing pin so it imprints the information on discharged cartridge cases.

A recent independent, peer-reviewed, study published in the professional scholarly journal for forensic firearms examiners proved that this technology is unreliable and does not function as the patent holder claims and it can be easily defeated in mere seconds using common household tools. Furthermore, criminals will simply switch the engraved firing pin for readily available unmarked spare parts thereby circumventing the technology. Experts at University of California, Davis, are currently conducting a study of the technology under a state grant.

NSSF and other groups, including major law enforcement organizations, are opposed to this unproven and unreliable technology. The cost of this dubious technology is a great concern to firearms owners and taxpayers alike. “AB 352 will not only force consumers of firearms to pay exorbitant price increases — as much as $150 per firearm — to cover the increased cost of microstamping, but substantially higher taxes for the cost of microstamped law enforcement guns,” said Lawrence G. Keane, senior vice president and general counsel of NSSF.

“Prior to the Senate vote, language was added to the bill to allow the Attorney General to require bullet serialization of all ammunition — including shotgun shells,” added Keane. Manufacturers have said it is impossible to put serial numbers on all ammunition. It would bankrupt them to try. Thus, ammunition manufacturers will be forced to stop all sales in California. “Make no mistake, AB 352 is a de facto ban on ammunition in California.”

NSSF has called upon members of the hunting, shooting and firearms community to contact their legislators in the California Assembly and urge them to vote “no” on AB 352.