New Jersey Continues to Lead on Microstamping Technology for Firearm Identification; Moms Demand Action, Students Demand Action Respond

TRENTON, NJ – Today, the New Jersey chapter of Moms Demand Action, part of Everytown for Gun Safety Action Fund’s grassroots network, released the following statement applauding Attorney General Matthew J. Platkin’s announcement that the state has completed its review of the viability of microstamping technology and determined that the technology is not only viable, but can be incorporated into semi-automatic handguns. Today’s announcement comes after an investigation from The Statewide Affirmative Firearms Enforcement (SAFE) Office which the Attorney General has tasked with the implementation of the state’s microstamping law after P.L. 2022, c. 57, passed in 2022, which is designed to facilitate the further development and adoption of this technology. 

“Today’s announcement is another demonstration of how New Jersey continues to lead the nation in championing new and innovative solutions to combat gun violence in our communities,” said Jeanne Stifelman, a volunteer with the New Jersey chapter of Moms Demand Action. “Microstamping is one of the critical tools we have at our disposal to support law enforcement and ensure they have the tools they need to swiftly identify crime guns and bring criminals to justice. Today’s announcement again confirms that this technology works.”  

In 2022, Governor Murphy signed a measure that would help advance the availability and use of microstamping technology. This technology provides law enforcement with the ability to link firearm cartridge casings found at crime scenes to the  semi-automatic handguns from which they were fired. Following today’s announcement that this technology is viable, the Attorney General’s office can begin the next steps outlined in the law, which will provide a process for manufacturers to submit microstamping-enabled handguns for review and inclusion on the state’s roster, and, ultimately help make them available to consumers across the Garden State. While manufacturers have refused to build basic ballistics identification features into their guns—including microstamping technology— gun sense lawmakers in New Jersey have taken the lead to ensure New Jerseyans have access to  this technology. 

This is one of several initiatives spearheaded by The SAFE Office, a first-in-the-nation firearms industry watchdog office dedicated to facilitating the efficient and effective administration of laws pertaining to gun violence. The SAFE Office is a critical tool to hold bad actors in the firearm industry accountable for when their misconduct harms New Jerseyans. 

In an average year, 427 people are killed by guns in New Jersey and another 874 are wounded. Gun violence costs New Jersey $5.3 billion each year, of which $168.9 million is paid by taxpayers. More information about gun violence in New Jersey is available here.