Rep. LaMalfa Authors Resolution Opposing Costly, Ineffective Firearm Microstamping Laws

Washington, DC – Representative Doug LaMalfa (R-Richvale) today released the following statement regarding the introduction of H.Res. 732, a resolution expressing Congress' opposition to state microstamping laws, stating that they are not only ineffective, but decrease access to firearms in a manner that infringes on the Second Amendment rights of Americans. Microstamping laws require that firearms imprint a serial number on shell casings fired by the firearm, increasing the cost of firearms by at least $200.

"Microstamping laws like California's serve primarily to increase the cost of firearms for law-abiding citizens, not deter criminal activity," said LaMalfa. "This mandate has already forced manufacturers to stop selling guns in California, threatens jobs in our state, and ultimately pushes the burden to consumers. The fact that microstamping simply does not work is widely known, even among proponents of such laws, making it clear that these laws are intended to decrease access to firearms, not stop criminals. When the University of California, certainly no bastion of gun rights, says that microstamping is ineffective, lawmakers should take heed."

"Legislatively mandating firearms microstamping, as California has done and as New York is considering, will result in a de-facto ban on firearms, seriously infringing on the Second Amendment rights of law abiding Americans," stated Lawrence G. Keane, Senior Vice President and General Counsel of the National Shooting Sports Foundation. "Research on firearms microstamping, including work by the patent holder, concludes it is an unreliable and unproven concept that should not be legislatively mandated. We urge all Members of the House who support and respect the Second Amendment to cosponsor Congressman LaMalfa's resolution."

LaMalfa referred to a recent study conducted by the University of California, Davis, which determined that microstamping failed to trace shell casings to firearms 80% of the time. The UC Davis study may be found here: https://forensicscience.ucdavis.edu/pdf/microserial.pdf

Doug LaMalfa is a lifelong farmer representing California's First Congressional District, including Butte, Glenn, Lassen, Modoc, Nevada, Placer, Plumas, Shasta, Sierra, Siskiyou and Tehama Counties.

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