NIST tells Congress microstamping lacks reliable evidence

The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) informed the U.S. House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology that there is no reliable evidence to prove that gun microstamping technology works as intended for firearm traceability.

In a response to Representative Brian Babin, NIST stated that the agency has not conducted independent research on the topic and currently has no active workstream dedicated to it. The agency noted that establishing scientific validation under real-world conditions would require substantial resources. Instead, NIST provided a synthesis of existing data from academic institutions, state agencies, and forensic professionals.

Microstamping is a technology designed to leave unique, identifiable alphanumeric or geometric marks on a bullet cartridge primer during firing. Proponents suggest these marks could aid criminal investigations, but NIST reported significant disagreement regarding the technology's viability and its ability to produce repeated, legible codes.