Microstamping: "Feels good but little practical use"  by Tom Reynolds

One of the favorite approaches of the anti-2A faction is Microstamping. The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) recently sent a letter to Congress about microstamping*.  NIST did not conduct independent research on microstamping but offered a summary of published data from state agencies, academic institutions, forensic science professionals, and advocacy groups.

First, here is NIST’s definition of microstamping: “Microstamping involves using a laser to engrave a unique microscopic identifier (microstamp) onto one or more firearm components, such as the firing pin or breech face.  When fired, the gun imprints this microstamp onto the cartridge case before it is ejected from the firearm…The goal is to allow law enforcement to link expended cartridge cases found at crime scenes to a specific firearm make, model, and serial number through a database, even if the gun itself is not recovered.”

Per the NIST’s letter, here are a “few” shortcomings of microstamping:

“…legibility is inconsistent and that transfer rates vary by firearm (and by) firing pin shape, and the type of ammunition being used;”  

“Microstamps on firing pins can be defaced or obliterated with basic household tools…firing pins naturally wear over time…replacing a firing pin can be part of routine maintenance;”

“…firearms produce residues such as propellant (gunpowder) and primer particles that can accumulate in the microscopic engravings, potentially obscuring the code;”

“The composition and hardness of the primer material also affect legibility…rimfire ammunition is considered more challenging, as the harder material of the cartridge rim causes lower quality impressions and lower durability;”

“The presence of lacquer sealants on some ammunition can degrade the transfer quality;”

“Manufacturer branding on the primer surface of the ammunition may also impact microstamp visibility by obscuring or preventing the code transfer;”

“…microstamping may obscure some of the features used in traditional forensic firearm identification… and could result in less conclusive determinations that lead to more ambiguity in a criminal case;"

“…firing pin motion, such as repeated strikes and drag, during discharge, can significantly impact the readability;”

“…duplication of the code with other vendors" is an issue.

And then there is that issue that never enters most leftists’ minds: what will it cost!

“…the co-inventor of the technology…estimates the cost of implementation at $3 to $10 per firearm when produced in high-volume batches of over 2,500 units…industry representatives argue that introducing microstamping…could raise consumer costs by over $200 per firearm.”

“For the technology to trace a weapon, a secure database must be established to link a unique microstamp code to a firearm make, model, and serial number. The exact cost of a national database is unknown...the NY Combined Ballistic Identification System, a searchable ballistics image database of cartridge cases fired from firearms legally sold in New York; that program cost $30 million over 11 years before being defunded due to limited efficacy.”  (Emphasis added.)

NIST further warns about the pro-microstamping studies: “While microstamping has shown promise in a small number of initial studies…no large-scale independent (blind) studies have been conducted to establish validity and error rates across a wide range of firearm model and ammunition combinations. Furthermore, the studies are limited to subjective evaluations involving a small number of observers, firearms, and firing pins, and rely exclusively on one manufacturer to produce the microstamps on the firing pin. These limitations currently preclude reliable estimates for error rates under real-world conditions.  (Emphasis added.)

Then there is the minor issue of getting criminals to cooperate.

"…criminals do not typically obtain firearms through retail sources, opting instead to acquire firearms through theft, 'off the street/underground market,' or 'from a family member or friend, or as a gift."  Therefore, efforts to trace back to the original purchaser may not lead directly to the perpetrator, limiting their investigative value.”

But if your real agenda is simply to disarm law abiding citizens; “When the state of California implemented its requirement, the number of approved handgun models on the state' s roster dropped by approximately 50% as manufacturers chose not to introduce new, microstamp-compliant models.”

* HouseSSTChairBBabinMicrostamping.pdf