MICROSTAMPING
Background: Microstamping is a proposed means for imprinting unique serial numbers onto cartridges fired from a gun. Similar to “ballistic fingerprinting,” it allegedly helps police identify what firearm might have been used in a crime. Microstamping uses precision equipment to remove microscopic amounts of metal from the tip of the firing pin.
Myth: Independent testing by forensic technologists shows the technology is reliable.
Fact: Firing pins are readily removable and swappable in most models of handguns, and
inexpensive replacement parts. Criminals who file down serial numbers on the sides of guns
won’t hesitate to file or exchange firing pins.
Fact: 46% of impressions ranked as “unsatisfactory” (i.e., illegible) after only ten rounds.
Myth: Filing the firing pin will make the gun inoperable.
Fact: Firing pins are designed to be pushed deeply into the primer (igniter) of the round. The
depth of the engraving (approximately 0.005 inch) is vastly smaller than the tolerance of the
firing pins drive depth.
Fact: In a test, the engravings were removed using a 50-year-old knife sharpening stone in less
than a minute. The firearm still operated correctly after the filing.
Fact: Even if a criminal does not file down the firing pin, they might retrieve spent cartridges.
If they use a revolver, the cartridges stay with the firearm and are rarely recovered by police.
Myth: The cost per firearm will be cheap.
Fact: The National Shooting Sports Foundation, the representative for firearm manufactures,
estimates the cost will be upwards of $150 per firearm, more than tripling the price of self protection and making it unaffordable for low-income people. The Brady Campaign dispute
those with firearm manufacturing experience claiming micro-stamping would cost only 50¢.
Myth: The numbers will let police find the gun’s owner.
Fact: Most crime guns are stolen property, which makes finding the original owner worthless.
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