Boston (WWLP) – A special commission on emerging gun technology met on Tuesday to discuss how legislation should change as firearms become more sophisticated.
The commission is considering enacting legislation that would require microstamping, a technology that engraves a unique code on a gun’s firing pin, which is then stamped on cartridge casings when the gun is fired. This enables law enforcement to more effectively identify the firearm used in a crime.
Jim Wallace is the Executive Director of the Gun Owners Action League. His organization has been a vocal opponent of Massachusetts’ most recent gun law, passed in July. He claimed that microstamping is ineffective in catching criminals.
“Once somethings in the hands of a criminal, they don’t care about the penalties, and the serial number is useless,” Wallace pointed out. “So there’s so many ways to defeat this thing for a criminal.”
One local lawmaker argued that, while he may disagree with Wallace’s assessment of the measure’s effectiveness, it would still be a useful forensic tool in law enforcement’s toolbox.
“Microstamping is envisioned as a tool for law enforcement,” stated Representative Kate Lipper-Garabedian (D, Melrose). “It may be imperfect, it may need to be developed over time.”
Wallace stated that every time lawmakers pass a gun law, it has a negative impact on Bay State residents and creates a “burden” for gun owners throughout the state.
Lawmakers intend to continue researching the effectiveness of microstamping before recommending that Massachusetts implement the policy.
