Folks,
'Microstamping' is statutorily _not_ applicable to revolvers.
Microstamping passed in CA in 2007, but not until recently was it regarded as "technology that exists,
with no encumbering intellectual property" and thus now is subject to required implementation for new
handguns being Rostered.
'Microstamping' is only required for new semiauto pistols being Rostered for sale in CA, and not for guns
already approved/Rostered for sale. Already-Rostered handgun models, unchanged, can remain Rostered
if renewal fees are periodically paid.
[The Roster does not apply to dimensionally-compliant single-shot pistols nor single-action revolvers. It
also does not apply to CA FFL-mediated private party handgun transfers btwn CA residents, nor consignment
sales at CA FFLs, nor for various lineal intrafamily transfers & inheritance/bequest matters.]
However, because CA DOJ Firearms Bureau treats even the most trivial midstream production engineering changes to a Rostered handgun - even if those changes actually aid quality/consistency
or enhance safety - as substantive [i.e., outside of sights & grips], such changes make the gun
regardable as a 'new gun' requiring retesting, new fees paid, and re-Rostering as new model.
And such 'new guns' being Rostered require microstamping - which really isn't implementable
despite DOJ's assertion.
CA DOJ has gone so far to even say trivial site changes for parts supply - even if parts made with identical
materials, dimensions, tolerances and on the same machinery - makes a given gun model fall off the Roster.
No large gun mfgr can really _not_ do such small midstream engineering changes - tooling changes, material
supplies change, improvements are identified & implemented, etc. The DOJ is essentially demanding design
and production are 'frozen in time' - even if that were to results in a substandard or reduced safety product,
and even though 'continuous improvement' is now the mantra of every quality manufacturing process worldwide.
[Have you seen the cars in Cuba and - until fairly recently - in India?]
So contrary to news saying S&W and Ruger "are abandoning the CA market", all they did was normal workflow
and the DOJ, and antigun AG Kamala Harris [distinctly different behavior vs former AG Brown] turned the screws
up.
S&W managed to get modern production changes in the Rostered 'M&P Shield' line and the Sigma-derived SWVEs before new microstamping regulatory implementation occurred. S&W has said these will remain unchanged
in CA for the forseeable future so at least some S&W autos will be available here. And even if substantive changes
occur in the revolver line, these are at least re-Rosterable without microstamping.
I will note The Calguns Foundation is litigating in Federal Court against the full CA handgun Roster regime.
-Bill Wiese
Calguns Foundation
