State Representative Kate Lipregarabedian, co-chair of the Special Legislative Commission on Emerging Firearm Technology, opened the commission’s fifth hearing by reading the panel’s statutory charge, then invited public testimony on emerging firearm technologies.

The lone registered public speaker, Matthew Nugent of Beverly, told commissioners he supports “researching gun violence innovations” and urged the commission to recommend a state requirement that manufacturers incorporate microstamping into firearms distributed in Massachusetts. “Specifically, the technology is microstamping whereby a unique code is included inside a firearm so that when it is fired the code is stamped on the cartridge casing,” Nugent said.

The commission’s charge, read at the start of the hearing by Lipregarabedian, directs the panel to study the status, feasibility and utility of personalized firearm technology and microstamp technology; to review legal and constitutional issues; and to evaluate commercial availability and the costs and impacts of requiring these technologies in the Commonwealth. Lipregarabedian noted previous hearings focused on personalized firearms and microstamp technology and that the commission will submit a report and any legislative recommendations to the clerks of the House and Senate.

Senator Michael Moore, the commission’s co-chair, thanked members of the public who watch and participate in the process and encouraged submission of written testimony. Commissioners present or online included Senator John Keenan, Senator Peter Durant, Representative Donald Berthiaume, and commissioners Nicholas Ashford, Chris Call, Jeff Farnsworth, Jake McGigan (recorded as “McGogan” in the transcript), and Christina Ronan. A participant identified only as a colonel confirmed presence but was not named on the record.

Nugent told the commission that microstamping can provide “crucial data in a timely way for the investigation of shootings” and argued the technology helps identify crime guns, solve shootings and hold traffickers and dealers accountable. He cited recent statutes in New Jersey, California and New York as examples of states that have enacted microstamping requirements.

Commission leadership said the commission will accept additional written testimony for several days (length of the submission period was not specified on the record) and will post submitted testimony on the commission’s web page. After the public testimony, the commission moved to adjourn; Representative Lipregarabedian moved to adjourn, the motion was seconded (not specified who seconded), and the body recessed by voice vote.

No formal vote on policy recommendations, bills or draft legislation was taken during the hearing. The commission did not adopt any recommendation at this meeting; members signaled they will continue the record by receiving written testimony as part of their deliberations.

The commission chair said members will be notified about the next hearing date; no specific follow-up schedule or deadline for a recommendation was stated on the record.