The companies included Connecticut-based Colt’s Manufacturing Co., Marlin Firearms, O.F. Mossberg and Sons, and Sturm, Ruger and Co., as well as, Springfield, Mass.-based Smith & Wesson. The National Shooting Sports Foundation — the trade association for the firearms industry — and the Connecticut Association of Firearms Retailer also joined in the stand.
Legislation forcing firearms manufacturers to incorporate the patented technology of microstamping would require manufacturers to micro laser-engrave a gun’s make, model and serial number on the firing pin of each gun so, in theory, the information is imprinted on the cartridge casing that is discharged when the pistol is fired.
Independent peer-reviewed studies have made clear that microstamping is both flawed and easily defeated and should not be mandated without further in-depth study. This view is shared by the firearms industry and law enforcement agencies, such as the National Fraternal Order of Police and the Connecticut Fraternal Order of Police.
Passage of the Senate bill could result in all sales of firearms being halted in the state – as manufacturers are forced to abandon the market in lieu of paying to completely reconfigure their manufacturing and assembly processes. The cost, which would be astronomical, certainly would be passed on to the consumers.
Also of concern is whether Connecticut-based firearms manufacturers will move their factories – a serious threat given the increased lobbying of pro-gun states such as Idaho and South Dakota, two of many states where legislators are looking for increased tax revenue and jobs for their constituents. Colt Firearms officials testified last year they would consider leaving the state if microstamping became law.
Mike Holmes, Shop Chairman at Colt Manufacturing, UAW Local 376, expressed outrage about the microstamping legislation.
“The proposed microstamping technology would jeopardize the employment of all hard-working union members that I represent at Colt,” Holmes said “The effects would in turn be far reaching by also hurting our vendors and suppliers around the state also placing their jobs at risk.”
The firearms industry, which has contributed $743.8 million to Connecticut’s economy in 2008, employs more than 1,750 people in the state and generates an additional 3,100 jobs in supplier industries. In written testimony submitted Monday, industry officials made clear that many of these jobs would be at risk if microstamping passes into law.
Gunmakers said the passage of a microstamping bill could force them to raise prices of guns as much as $200 per firearm because of the complete reconfiguring of the manufacturing and assembly processes.
Tags: Connecticut, firearms, microstamping
