Technological Resource to Assist Criminal Enforcement (TRACE) Act

The Technological Resource to Assist Criminal Enforcement (TRACE) Act (H.R. 5073) proposes new federal requirements for firearm manufacturing and ballistics tracking to assist law enforcement in solving crimes. If enacted, the bill would require all newly manufactured or imported firearms to feature "microstamping" technology, which etches the weapon’s make, model, and serial number onto internal components so that the information is transferred to cartridge cases when the gun is fired.

Additionally, the bill directs the Attorney General to conduct ballistics testing on firearms involved in crimes and maintain a national electronic database of those results. For citizens, this legislation would mean that new firearms sold in the U.S. would include specialized internal engravings designed to link recovered shell casings directly to specific weapons. The bill also mandates regular reports to Congress to evaluate how effectively these ballistics records are being used to support criminal investigations and prosecutions.