Microstamping Rule Freezes Number of Semiautomatic Pistols Available for Sale in California

Despite the flaws in the technology, the obvious ways that criminals will circumvent the technology, and the difficulties crime labs will have in deciphering the marks, on May 17, 2013, California Attorney General Kamala Harris certified that microstamping is available to firearm manufacturers.

With this simple announcement, new and safer state-of-the-art pistol models essential for home and family defense became impossible for Californians to acquire, because to be sold in California all new semi-automatic pistol models must now have microstamping incorporated into their design in order to be approved for sale in California.

Given the manufacturing costs involved, it is highly unlikely that any manufacturers will adopt the microstamping technology, particularly considering their current pistol production can barely meet the demand from other states. As a practical matter, this will limit the types of new handguns available to the California market to those handguns ready all approved for sale and listed on the roster of approved handguns as of the date of the certification.

NRA and NSSF are exploring all legal avenues for challenging this action in court, and a lawsuit is very likely.

Michel & Associates, P.C. has made a legal memorandum and a collection of other materials on the topic available here.

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