Special Legislative Commission on Emerging Firearm Technology

SECTION 148. (a) As used in this section, the following words shall, unless the context clearly requires otherwise, have the following meanings: “Microstamp”, a microscopic array of characters identifying the make, model, or serial number of a firearm, etched or otherwise imprinted in 2 or more places on the interior surface or the internal working parts of the firearm, that are transferred by imprinting on each cartridge case when the firearm is fired. “Personalized firearm”, a firearm manufactured with incorporated design technology or converted with such technology so that it: (i) allows the firearm to be fired only by an authorized user; or (ii) prevents any of the safety characteristics of the firearm from being readily deactivated. (b) There is hereby established, pursuant to section 2A of chapter 4 of the General Laws, a special legislative commission to study and investigate emerging firearm technology. (c) The special legislative commission shall consist of 13 members: the chairs of the joint committee on the judiciary or their designees, who shall serve as co-chairs; the secretary of public safety and security or a designee; the colonel of the state police or a designee; 2 members appointed by the speaker of the house of representatives; 2 members appointed by the president of the senate; 1 member appointed by the minority leader of the house of representatives; 1 member appointed by the minority leader of the senate; 1 member appointed by the governor, who shall be an expert in emerging firearm technologies; the attorney general or a designee and 1 member appointed by the National Shooting Sports Foundation, Inc. (d) The special legislative commission shall investigate and study the status, feasibility, and utility of emerging firearm technologies, including, but not limited to, personalized firearm technology and microstamp technology. The study shall include: (i) a review of existing and developing personalized firearm and microstamp technologies and any legal or constitutional issues relating to such technologies; (ii) an investigation of the accuracy, effectiveness and utility of personalized firearm and microstamp technologies; (iii) an evaluation of the commercial availability of personalized firearm and microstamp technologies, both in the production of new firearms and modification of existing firearms; (iv) an evaluation of the feasibility and utility of a personalized firearm technology tax incentive program; (v) an evaluation of the risks associated with the use of a digital firearm manufacturing code for machine learning and artificial intelligence; and (vi) an investigation of the cost and impacts associated with requiring the use of personalized firearm or microstamp technologies in the commonwealth. (e) The special legislative commission shall submit a report of its study and recommendations, together with any legislative recommendations, to the clerks of the house of representatives and the senate no later than March 1, 2025.