As leftists continue an ongoing assault against the constitutional rights of law-abiding Americans, the Center for Gun Violence Solutions (CGVS) at Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health sparked controversy this week by endorsing “microstamping” technology on firearms.
The CGVS posted its views on X, formerly known as Twitter, asserting that microstamping could be the panacea to gun violence, marking every spent ammo casing with a unique code corresponding to the gun’s serial number, thereby aiding law enforcement in criminal investigations.
You're forgetting that none of that is actually why they want this.
It's the beginning of making guns so expensive by having all of these added features that only rich people can have them.
Eventually they'll mandate fingerprint scan to operate and other "safety" features like…
— I am Riven (@MetalOfRiven) September 25, 2023
However, the post received significant pushback on X, where proponents of the Second Amendment see this recommendation as another undue restriction on law-abiding gun owners, many considering it a veiled attempt to infringe upon Second Amendment rights.
Despite its novel approach, microstamping raises questions about its effectiveness and feasibility. Critics argue that the technology is easily circumvented as firing pins — integral for microstamping — are simple to remove and replace. This notion was encapsulated by a user who posted on X, “The microstamp code won’t wear down, files must not exist in your dream world, or the basic fact the tech doesn’t work outside of a lab setting.” The technology also fails to apply to revolvers, which do not automatically eject shell casings, rendering it ineffective against crimes committed with such firearms.
"How does microstamping technology work?"
*Spoiler Alert: It doesn't. https://t.co/CUMUqHwoj1
— Firearms Policy Coalition (@gunpolicy) September 25, 2023
Additionally, the shadow of billionaire Michael Bloomberg, a vocal advocate for stricter gun laws and a benefactor of Johns Hopkins, looms large over this debate. His donations and support for anti-gun groups like Everytown have fanned the flames of controversy, with many seeing this as an elite-driven attempt to erode the Constitution.
Historical instances have also cast a shadow on microstamping’s credibility. Maryland, for example, abandoned its shell casing registry in 2016 after it failed to solve a single crime over 16 years, highlighting the practical limitations of such technological interventions. Critics argue that while microstamping might seem beneficial theoretically, its practical implementation remains fraught with challenges, some even seeing it as a means to frame innocent people.
While the debate on microstamping rages, the implications of such propositions extend beyond the specific technology to broader concerns over individual rights, government overreach, and the interpretation of constitutional provisions. The conservative viewpoint prioritizes individual freedom and rights, viewing any infringement as a slippery slope leading to more extensive restrictions. These discussions echo the larger ideological debates within American society, reflecting the persistent struggle between security and freedom.
In New Jersey, the imposition of microstamping technology on semi-automatic firearms has ignited debates over its ultimate purpose. Critics argue that increased ownership costs due to mandatory implementation of such technology can disadvantage law-abiding citizens seeking firearms for self-defense, implying a direct infringement on constitutional rights.
The pursuit of microstamping reflects a broader trend of policy propositions that, while claiming to be well-intentioned, may not address the underlying issues they seek to mitigate. The practical limitations and potential intended or unintended consequences of such technologies necessitate a more nuanced and balanced approach, one that respects individual rights first and foremost.
