Physics and Microstamping - mixed results

[Librarian]

Appropriate to AB 1471, this article.

Microstamping Guns Feasible but Flawed, Study Finds
New technology to link cartridge cases to guns by engraving microscopic codes on the firing pin is feasible, but does not work well for all guns and ammunition tested in a pilot study by researchers from the forensic science program at UC Davis. More testing in a wider range of firearms is needed to determine the costs and feasibility of a statewide program of microstamping, as called for by proposed state legislation, the researchers said.

Doesn't address some of the other obvious problems with the bill or the idea.

[MIKEUSMC2005]

Microstamping

This is the most idiotic thing I ever heard of. Do anti-gun folks honestly believe micro stamping will work? Criminals will do one thing, smuggle them in from Mexico.

[Patriot]

This is the most idiotic thing I ever heard of. Do anti-gun folks honestly believe micro stamping will work? Criminals will do one thing, smuggle them in from Mexico.

I assume that microstamps aren't observable by the unaided eye or hand lenses? Sounds like a great future excuse to confiscate ammunition "for forensic testing" on suspicions of illegal possession.

[Librarian]

This version is for fired cases marked by the weapon; there was another one last year? the year before? where the ammo was supposed to be serialized when manufactured.

[Richie Rich]

It is not supposed to work.

IMO, it is another step towards an outright firearms ban in the state.

Look at how the "safe handgun" laws work.

"Oh darn, you gun manufacturers can't get microstamping to work, guess you can't sell your product here in Ca"

Or someone will actually make it work, but it will make the cost of the firearm double that of a non microstamping model.

They just keep chip, chip, chipping away...

[Scarecrow Repair]

Or someone will actually make it work, but it will make the cost of the firearm double that of a non microstamping model.

Don't misquote the article. It said the microstamping on the end of the firing pin did work in that after 2500 rounds, the microstamping was intact and did transfer legibly to the cases. Stamping on the side of the firing pin in the form of bar codes and dots did not survive 2500 rounds. It is not clear if that was 2500 rounds total for all firing pins tested, or per firing pin. It is also not clear how much difference there was between handguns and rifles.

They estimated the cost at $8 per firing pin in the first year and $2 thereafter.

It may be a gun grabber's wet dream, it may be a communist plot right up there with the black helicopters, but it does no good to misrepresent things. You must know your enemy, and you can't do that while misrepresenting facts.

[Rivers]

How does this affect reloading of previously fired cases? Would the reloaded cartridge continue to carry the ID of the previous weapon?

If so, it seems that a smart criminal would pick up brass at a firing range, reload the cases and use those bullets in a pre-microstamping firearm. That would firmly put the blame on the unsuspecting owner of the microstamping firearm.

That is going to "help" law enforcement???

[Technical Ted]

How does this affect reloading of previously fired cases? Would the reloaded cartridge continue to carry the ID of the previous weapon?

Since the stamp is on the primer, and primers get replaced it would seem logical that the reloaded round would no longer carry the ID stamp of the firearm the case was previously used in.

[Technical Ted]

This is the most idiotic thing I ever heard of. Do anti-gun folks honestly believe micro stamping will work? Criminals will do one thing, smuggle them in from Mexico.

Nothing in the bill says you can't repair or replace a new handgun's firing pin after you purchase it.

[shark92651]

Since the stamp is on the primer, and primers get replaced it would seem logical that the reloaded round would no longer carry the ID stamp of the firearm the case was previously used in.

It's probably safe to assume that a criminal is not going to bother to collect their cases for reloading after they pop a cap in somebody's azz. It's probably also safe to assume that a criminal would either get the gun from out of state or take a few minues to rub the microstamp off the firing pin with some fine-grit sandpaper. This legislation would be comical if it weren't for the fact that they are serious about passing it.

[bwiese]

Wondering about type of primers used. I'd imagine that some primers, esp on milsurp ammo, may not ever get marked legibly, regardless of freshness/lifespan of firing pin.

[Solidmch]

It will drive the price of handgun through the roof in California if this worthless law gets in.

[aklover_91]

Come on, guys, this is a great idea that will work perfectly. After all, bad guys don't know what a file is, right?

[socalguns]

SFW? The bill is garbage.

[Draven]

Come on, guys, this is a great idea that will work perfectly. After all, bad guys don't know what a file is, right?

If I had $125 to spare, I'd have a gunsmith friend order a microstamp pin (made by ONE MANUFACTURER...) for my roomate's .380, and I'd then post a video to Youtube showing people how to remove it.