PA’s Insane Ammunition Registration Database, Wants All Your Ammo to Have Separate Serial Numbers

Micro-Stamping
Microstamping File Photo

Proposed Pennsylvania House Bill 586, introduced on March 20, 2023, proposes significant changes to ammunition regulations that would impact law-abiding gun owners in the state. The bill, which was introduced by 12 state Democrats, including prime sponsor Representative Stephen Kinsey, seeks to give the Commissioner of Pennsylvania State Police and the Secretary of Revenue the power to enforce the new rules and collect a tax on ammunition to fund the changes.

Encoded Ammo Database, Pennsylvania House Bill 586

The bill would create an “encoded ammunition database,” which would contain comprehensive records of all ammunition sold or purchased, including details from the manufacturer, seller, and purchaser. The National Shooting Sports Foundation (NSSF), the trade organization for the shooting sports industry, has raised concerns about exactly this type of database in a recent Bullet Serialization Fact Sheet [embeded below], noting that it could have negative implications for public safety and law enforcement.

The bill has several provisions, including a requirement that all ammunition sold in Pennsylvania must be encoded with multiple serial numbers. This means that a manufacturer must add individual serial numbers to all ammunition provided for retail sale in a manner yet to be established by the Pennsylvania State Police commissioner. Each bullet would have a unique serial number located at its base, inside the cartridge casing, and outside the box of ammunition.

In a related article that alerted us to this crazy bill, Riley Bowman, Vice President of ConcealedCarry.com pointed out that this could pose significant challenges for producers and negatively impact ammunition produced for law enforcement, even though they are exempt from this bill. He noted that ammo producers are already struggling to keep up with demand, and the time required to produce a single round of ammunition could increase from seconds to minutes.

The bill also requires anyone who possesses non-encoded ammunition to dispose of it by January 1, 2024. Is what they are proposing that millions and millions of rounds of ammunition be shot in less than a year by Pennsylvania gun owners?

Reloading Ammo Would Be Dead

It fails to mention how this would impact hand-loaded ammunition. How would hobby reloaders even accomplish the serialization and eventual reporting of that data to the state? The bill ignores other issues, such as recycled brass or collected casings.

Manufacturing & Purchasing Headaches

Additionally, all ammunition manufacturers would be required to provide their name and address, the serial numbers found on every bullet, casing, and box, and any other information that the commissioner deems necessary. The purchaser would be required to provide detailed personal information to the seller, including the date of purchase, the purchaser’s name, date of birth, driver’s license number, or other number issued by the federal government or state of Pennsylvania, and the serial numbers of all ammunition bought by the purchaser. The retailer would then be required to provide this information to the commissioner for the encoded ammunition database and maintain a copy of all records submitted for at least three years.

5 Cents Per Round Tax!?

The Firearms Policy Coalition called it Ammunition Registration. FPC noted that: “… the bill requires that a “tax of five cents per round of ammunition …imposed on the sale at retail or use of encoded ammunition in this Commonwealth.” What’s the tax for, you ask? Believe it or not, that money would go towards funding a police-run ammunition database. FPC sees this for what it is.”

The bill outlines punishments for potential violators, including a misdemeanor charge for sellers who do not provide the required information and a misdemeanor charge for individuals who intentionally destroy or render unreadable the encoded information on ammunition. Manufacturers who violate the bill’s provisions would be subject to a civil fine imposed by the commissioner.

While the bill’s proponents claim that it would help law enforcement, opponents argue that it would hurt their ability to obtain ammunition for defensive use and training. It could also negatively affect law enforcement officer performance and safety.

The bill poses a significant threat to the right to keep and bear arms in Pennsylvania. The cost of producing serialized ammunition using unproven technology is guaranteed to raise the price of ammunition far above what most people can afford. This could fundamentally strip away the right to self-defense from everyone except for the most wealthy among us.

Nationally, ammunition serialization has received a lot of attention in the past, with versions of the “Ammunition Accountability Act” appearing in 18 state legislatures in 2008. However, none of these bills passed.

Pennsylvania House Bill 586 proposes significant changes to ammunition regulations that will negatively impact law-abiding gun owners in the state. The bill’s provisions, including the requirement for serialized ammunition, the creation of an encoded ammunition database, and increased responsibilities and punishments for manufacturers, sellers, and purchasers, will lead to increased costs, decreased availability of ammunition, and potential legal consequences for innocent individuals.

The bill’s supporters and sponsors argue that it would make it easier to track down criminals and prevent them from obtaining ammunition. Still, gun owners know the real purpose behind this legislative nightmare is to add additional burdens on lawful gun owners while failing to address actual ways of reducing crime rates. As the bill moves through the legislative process, it is likely to face significant debate and scrutiny from both sides of the political spectrum. Ultimately, it will be up to you to let your Pennsylvania lawmakers know how you feel about ammunition registration, so act now.

Bullet Serialization Fact Sheet ~ National Shooting Sports Foundation

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DDS

I propose a simple solution. The NSSF needs to call on their members to cease all sales to any oganization affiliated with any state, county or municipal agency in PA effective immediately.

Just to add a little incentive, we stage a nationwide boycott on any ammunition manufacturer who chooses to condict business as usual with the various governments in PA.

Then we can all just sit back and see how long it takes these Bozos to withdraw the proposed bill.

Stag

While that would be a good measure, the NSSF has and does support arms laws so I doubt it will ever happen.

Hazcat

The NSSF would need to speak with their “partners at DOJ and ATF’ before they advocate this. 😉

Terry

What?

USMC0351Grunt

Yep!

RichDD

I’ve been saying this for years. They should also stop selling ammo to all government agencies in states that violate the 2nd. Amendment.

swmft

atf should have to produce their own no sales to people who willfully violate constitution

Rob

I believe Barrett did something similar years ago with California by refusing sales within that state. Ammo manufacturers/distributors could do the same thing in PA and other states suddenly suffering from cranio-rectal inversions. I can hear the screaming, crying and yelling already!

Reloader7

I like to refer to the lack of rational thought as Cerebral Diarrhea. It causes rapid evacuation of all logic.

Xaun Loc

You forget one thing… The ammo manufacturers are in business for only one reason: to make money. Given a choice between selling ammo to state agencies or not selling ammo to those state agencies, every manufacturer WILL ALWAYS choose to sell their ammo to any buyer with money to pay for the ammo. Customers aren’t going to boycott ammo manufacturers – certainly not in enough numbers to make the manufacturers notice. If shooters boycotted ever company that did anything against our interests we wouldn’t have anyone left to buy anything from. Is anyone boycotting Ruger for supporting magazine limits? Is… Read more »

Chuck

I’ve been boycotting Ruger ever since Bill helped pass the 94 AWB and Cap Restrictions. The old F**ked may be dead, but the New CEO is just as bad.

Larry

“You forget one thing… The ammo manufacturers are in business for only one reason: to make money.”
If we excuse ammo manufacturers for that, why not also politicians?

Last edited 10 months ago by Larry
DDS

One principle you can take to the bank is this. The American People will be subjected to as many infringements on RKBA as the America People are willing to accept.

It has always been thus.

Arizona

Clown world.

American Cynic

Imagine a scenario in which someone at the range picks up your spent shells with serial numbers that have been attributed to you, and drops them off at the scene of a criminal shooting.

Perhaps I’m off base here, but it sounds like a cluster ___k in the making.

USMC0351Grunt

If it’s unconstitutional, it’s a cluster Fk… What SHOULD be taking place is the 2A community throughout Pennsylvania should immediately begin pushing to remove each and every legislator that put their fingerprints on ANY unconstitutional bill. It is the job of the legislatures to work within the confines of both the U.S. as well as the State of Pennsylvania constitutions and if they are pushing unconstitutional legislation, THAT is not only an abuse of power, a violation of their Oaths of Office but also fraud, waste and abuse on behalf of the taxpayers just for starters.

American Cynic

I assume you are a United States Marine, so thank you for your service. I agree with you, but the envelope that the Left is pushing seems to be made of latex rubber. This is not the only stretch of the Constitution by a disingenuous group calling themselves Democrats. We are enduring the minimization of criminal prosecutions in the form of a rampant increase in criminal activity. We have watched how the DOJ refuses to prosecute instigators protesting at SCOTUS justices homes. We sit idly by as Jan6 detainees are being held for years in the Capitol Jail without due… Read more »

Boom

American C. — Whoa.

Yeah.

moe mensale

Police your own spent brass. Use a brass catcher. Many ranges require members to clean up after themselves anyway.

Knute Knute

You shoot a hundred rounds and police up every single brass casing, do you? You find all of them? 100 percent? After a liftime of shooting and reloading over 100K rounds, I’ve never gotten 100 percent of my brass back. Neither has any other competitors I’ve ever heard of. It just doesn’t happen. And it would only take one to destroy the life of an innocent person. Assuming that you give a darn about the innocent, OFC. Not that you’d know that, having never been to a range in your life. Brass cartridge casings have a knack for hiding themselves… Read more »

Terry

Easy fix, all manufactures, immediately, refuse selling any ammo to all policing agencies if PA, or agencies acting in PA.
Similar to Barrett’s policy of refusing to sell their specialty rifles to any police agency with-in a state that restricts civilians ownership of their products. (So yes it is possible)

Even prior to any other discussion of this law, until another law is instated noting that any restrictions on ammo is illegal.

USMC0351Grunt

There may be government contracts that the ammo manufacturers have to abide by.

Laddyboy

WOW! The DemoKKKratic SYCOPHANTS are now trying to TAX a CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHT ——- AGAIN!
These BRAIN DEAD USEFUL IDIOTS who put forth these UNCONSTITUTIONAL “BILLS” must be PERSONALLY and FINANCIALLY PENALIZED with the entire court costs when these UNCONSTITUTIONAL “bills” become “law” and are defeated in the court system!

Bubba

For sure.
If they have to pay out of their own pocket this bullshit will stop immediately.
Except for Soros and Bloomberg they don’t care.

USMC0351Grunt

That process should begin during the first reading of ANY bill that is unconstitutional as a check and balance of power before it gets too far out of hand and deep into the taxpayer’s pockets.

MICHAEL J

Just when you think dems couldn’t be any more asinine, they prove they can. No one can legislate evil. Seems shooting the bad guy is the only solution, but it’s always after their evil is perpetrated.

RichDD

You got that wrong. We are the bad guys. The other guys are just victims.

CaptainKerosene

Does this mean every shotgun pellet, even #12 has to have a serial number? A loading machine that applies a serial number to each of 50 rounds in a box, including bullet, sabot, primer and each case interior & exterior and get in a box with same numer? Will this unconstitutional law apply to the traveller legally traveling from out of state on their way yo Maine to hunt bears? A technical detail. Firing a bullet would oblirerate 12 digit alphanumeric b Numbers on the base of a .22 LR or even a 5.56mm jacketed. Does the jacket and core… Read more »

Arny

Should be real amusing trying to put a 6 to 10 digit serial number on 8 bird shot or on the bottom of a 22 lr. These clowns in charge are on some bad drugs. Or totally ignorant to the process at hand. lol

Knute Knute

It could be both. Deeply demented, moronic, ignorant, clowns on drugs. Come to think of it, that ought to be the democrats slogan!
🙂

Boom

Well I think it’s more akin to microstamping, being what they’re talking about… But yeah…no.

I think this bill is probably the result of some busy work that a senior legislator handed to a junior legislator… He handed the concept to them, or some type of business model, and he said here make this is crazy as you can make it..

Arny

I think they got a hold of a old Chris Rock skit.

DDS

“Defy, resist, evade, smuggle!” — Mike Vanderboegh

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XkjLlZu9uno

Zhukov

Do not sell ammo to any government entity in the entire state of PA.

J.galt

Manufacturers that want my business should not sell guns or ammo to ANY state and any state employees that the citizens of the state have been restricted from. ALSO……stop buying glock, s&w and staccato until they stand with the people and not with the prohibitionists. If you are red flagged, the officers who show up on scene to confiscate your guns will be carrying, glock, s&w and staccato. Buy their products on the secondary market instead of funding these companies that are fine with having cops exercising unconstitutional authority against YOU! and you cops and totalitarians in restrictive unconstitutional states………… Read more »

Chuck

S&Ws CEO publicly stated in the Hearings with Rep. Maloney last year that he supports repealing the NFA and ending the ATF..

Boom

Chuck — oh, you mean Rep. Baloney? Ole bologna face.

Yote Hunter

What would you expect from brain dead legislators from a state that elected a brain dead U.S. Senator in November? It is cream that is supposed to raise to the top, but in PA it is too often the scum that raises to the top. Remember Sen. Daylin Leach, anybody? I have friends there who are ready to move out of that place that has a state motto of VIRTUE, LIBERTY, and INDEPENDENCE. And all because it has been transformed by the modern Demoncratic Party into the land of VICE, BONDAGE, and DEPENDENCY instead. Come on friends, move and bring… Read more »

Arny

How Canada-Based Dominion Voting Systems and U.S.-Based ES&S Cornered the U.S. Voting Machine Market

https://opslens.com/how-canada-based-dominion-voting-systems-and-u-s-based-ess-cornered-the-u-s-voting-machine-market/

Last edited 10 months ago by Arny
Arny

Rigged elections has been going on for over 20 years by these companies

Arny

Did you ever hear of this company ? Did you know they secured our elections ? So how did Russia interfere ? Memes on FB not many even seen. lol

Arny

Here is why no one will ever examine the machines. NATIONAL SECURITY. Lol

Arny

5 trillion dollars. They can’t just throw all that away. lol

Logician

Rigged elections here have been going on for far longer than that!! Way the heck back in our Colonial Times, men who wanted to be the Mayor of a town or some other position, would set up a table with food and drinks on it right near the polling places in the town square to bribe the voters! They would put out loaves of bread and smoked meats and ale, rum or brandy! If anyone reads the book Votescam and has a measurable IQ, they will never waste their time going to the polling places again! One guy I was… Read more »

Arkansas Rob

Clearly an attempt to create the monopoly of violence. Only the “only ones” can have ammo. Everyone else has none, or is registered so that the calibers of all twenty rounds they can afford are known.

swmft

I dont know anyone in pa that would obey this ,not even local cops in state collage. real people know what is just stupid posturing …and pa demoncrats are stupid

Roverray

Yeah, look who they voted for senator….

Boom

swmft — What about the the politicians & constituents alike.

Worldwide.

The ones beneath the surface of mars probably aren’t any better.

Last edited 10 months ago by Boom
Huckleberry

This is so ridiculous it does not warrant discussion in the PA legislature. If you look at the reps introducing these bills, they are all from Philadelphia and surrounding counties, a Democratic stronghold and a dumphole infested with crime, by the way. Our saving grace is that the Republicans have control of the Senate, so I don’t see this bill ever passing. Right now we have a Democrat Governor and House controlled by the Democrats.. if they get control of Senate, it is game over. At that point, I’m packing my bags and heading to gun friendly conservative state. I’m… Read more »

Hazcat

I was born and raised in PA. The middle of the state is great, both ends are crap.

Arny

I would say it depends, if you live in the cities or NOT. I live on the Pa/ Md line. And most people are pretty decent on both sides of the line. Now when you start getting near any city, big or small. This is where I generally see the A holes. I avoid the cities as much as possible. I even changed my job to avoid the cities. lol I am going to sell my home & move out of this State. Just because I don’t see it getting any better these days with Bills like this being proposed.… Read more »

Thinker1

Don’t supply the impossible. PA will be ammo free.

Chuck

Maybe that’s their real Goal.

Arny

Moving out of this State is getting closer by the day. Anyone with $80,000 CASH, GOLD could own a home with 2 acres on the MD/PA line. I’ll even leave the skid loader. lol

Boom

How about a couple few tons of salt?

Boz

LOL!!! THAT is pure insanity.

Logician

The ones who come up with crap are stupid beyond belief!! Anyone who is intending to commit any kind of a crime with a gun, will take measures to keep their brass from staying at the scene of the crime! Like making a sack to go over their gun hand and capture it at the least! Or just use revolvers where the brass stays in the guns until removed by someone manually! Or go out of State to buy their bullets, or steal it from someone or buy it from someone who smuggles it in from another State! Oh, I… Read more »

PMinFl

This is just plain (in Pa. plane) stupidity.

Boom

Viva La Revolution’ !

J.galt

I want to know where every person that draws a tax theft paycheck lives! If you “work” for the public, your home address should be public record and us serfs you pretend to protect and want to register and eat out our substance should be able to find and talk to you and your family at your home. Demand that the sewer rats / “representatives” that “work” for you are required to list a real home address. We will never reacquire our freedom if these loser asshole .gov employees THAT “WORK” FOR US are able to live and legislate in… Read more »

J.galt

Register .gov employees………not guns or ammo

Boom

Does that go for Construction Inspectors, too?

J.galt

Yes. If you draw a paycheck from the public treasury your ACTUAL home address should be public record under penalty of law

J.galt

Note; in my county (contra costa county, ca) the building inspectors and planning department are criminal enterprises

Boom

Under the guise of what? Public accountability? So some mob / trash can show up at another man’s house, and get shot?…..well…. If the public employee is going to have to show accountability for their actions, lest the taxpayers show up, the taxpayer will indeed have to show accountability for their actions as well… ….if you know what I mean…. …or something like that. If the public works sector is corrupt where you live, it’s because “you” let it get like that. Most public employees are findable through the directory of whatever agency they work for…all you have to do… Read more »

Last edited 10 months ago by Boom
J.galt

Assault and murder is a crime. Tar and feathers is a political statement.

Hanging public employees for treason is appropriate………under rated and WWWAAAYYYY past due.

sounds like you are a “public employee” living in fear of the public (your employer) being unhappy with you………you should not be able to hide behind a facade of anonymity.

J.galt

Don’t want that public accountability?

DO. NOT. WORK. FOR..gov! Try freedom……work in the private sector.

(of course, if your an affirmative action authoritarian slacker underperformer or non performer bottom of your class or no education .gov is the perfect employer)

Boom

Lol

Rob

Reloading ammo would be dead? Not by the hair on my chinny-chin chin! Reloaders sure as hell will not stop using unserialized brass. Can you imagine “range police” checking each round of each shooter at each lane” I can’t. What a completely dumb shit comment.

Arny

Assuming you go to a range. My backyard is my range, lol

moe mensale

The state could outlaw the selling and possession of reloading components and equipment.

Larry

Is what they are proposing that millions and millions of rounds of ammunition be shot in less than a year by Pennsylvania gun owners?”
The more I ponder this possibility, the more I like it.
And I have ideas as to how it would most righteously be performed.

zuzuk

Anyone believing PA voted for uncle Fester is just as dumb & retarded as he and must also believe that Arizona didn’t have any voting issues, must also believe … “most secure voting” ever. Good Morning, wake the F up and welcome to the bizarre party. A coup has occurred and we are under attack on multiple fronts. Multiple organizations want us disarmed, yet found that to be tedious, they’re now going after ammo. Just like they want our cars but going after gasoline. Why give a shit? … there’s other states. Stand together or hang separately meaning we’ll eventually… Read more »

Chuck

Just noticed when I went to PSA’s website, there’s a big red box stating “Effective Immediately, PSA will no longer ship any products to Washington State.”
Got to give credit where it’s due.

Logician

Who or what is PSA? I was scanning through the postings, but can’t find any reference to tell me.

moe mensale

Palmetto State Armory.

Boom

Yeah, moe was correct; but before reading the previous comment, I was gonna say Public Service Announcement, lol.

moe mensale

Not “any products” just what’s restricted by HB1240. But it’s a long list.

Chuck

Here’s the real problem with Microstamping that proponents ignore. When a cartridge is fired, there is significant pressure and heat involved. This causes distortion in the case and the projectile being fired. That distortion may either render the Microstamp illegible or distort the stamp enough to render it inadmissible as evidence. They’re basing their “Law” on an unproven theory, not facts, a theory.

Boom

Chuck — yep. Lollipops & unicorns.

TGP389

Perhaps Penis-ylvania should just make homicide a crime.

Boom

TGP389 — HA!

2AGunster

Registration leads to confiscation!

HLB

As these types of infringements propagate through the system we need to recognize and prepare for the inevitable future.

HLB

MB

Can I choose my own serial # ? Okay, I want the for π (pie)

mgkdrgn

and of course ALL criminals will instantly comply with this ….

JB

What scares me about all the lies that have been spread the last several years is the fact that our youth is being indoctrinated every day by the marxists in control of the schools. This is what they are taught, and at the same time they are taught to never question any leftist teachings. It’s the perfect storm. I’m glad I’m old, but at the same time I mourn for future generations who will never understand what freedom really is. As for a sales boycott, if it got serious enough I can see the Biden caabal nationalizing ammo makers and… Read more »

Protect defend serve

This is nothing more than another attempt, an end run around the 2nd Amendment. We’ve seen this kind of of nonsense before. The gun grabbing leftists want control and will continue to scheme every way they can to eliminate legal gun owners their ability to defend themselves.

Zhukov

If I reload then I am not a seller, purchaser, or manufacturer of a product for sale so it would not apply.

Rock

Pa, Democrat DIPSHITS at work, compliments of the Harryassburg, Philthadelphia and Shittsburgh. FREE RIDE rats !
Yeah the ones with all the illegal weapons.

gregs

i could make some good suggestions as to where they can use that unregistered ammo if needed.
as if any ammunition manufacturer would bother selling ammunition in pa if they passed this idiotic law. do they think that people would just give up and pay for the much higher price ammo, or do you think they would purchase ammo from out of state? how they going to regulate that?
what is next, serializing the bullets themselves so they can match the bullet with the crime?
wait till they come out with laser ray guns, how they going to trace them?

Boom

gregs — By the radiation signature…duh. don’t you watch startrek? Haha

moe mensale

“…or do you think they would purchase ammo from out of state? how they going to regulate that?”

The state could require all factory manufactured ammo to be shipped to and sold only through an FFL or a licensed ammo dealer. No direct shipments to the buyer. Just like CA and NY. And penalties if you’re caught with “illegal” ammo.

Get Out

IMOA, It’s a gun control scheme plain and simple. The requirement appears to be unenforceable on so many levels. I doubt gun owners would surrender or dispose of their non-encoded ammo anytime soon. Pennsylvanian gun owners should be flooding their phone lines and politely ask they scrap this bill now because gun owners’ will be noncompliant should the bill pass.

Cam

When I hear about politicians doing this stuff I get a flash of gene wilder in blazing saddles, “You’ve got to remember that these are just simple farmers. These are people of the land. The common clay of the new West. You know… morons.”

Trussman

I’m nowhere near as smart as these politicians, but I can see this going so wrong. This is similar to ammo DNA only way worse. For example, you go to the indoor gun range to shoot. You’re not allowed to pick up your spent brass that lands forward of the firing line, an employee sweeps it up at the end of the day, it gets reloaded by someone that has non-marked, or home cast lead bullets, it’s used in a crime. Now the prosecutor charges you with a crime, because they have the casing that was sold to you 3… Read more »

Boom

Trussman — but what happens when you’re railroaded for using a firearm in defense?

I see people advocating for tougher sentences involving “gun related crimes”… But what happens when were the one being charged?

Also, are you a Carpenter?

Finnky

Exactly. Including in case @Trusman described – railroaded for someone else’s actions and framed due to following the law. Would you still support fast and extreme punishment for the crime for which you’ve been convicted (despite not doing it).

Don’t trust a jury. Look at jury believing that autokey cards are machine guns!