On Tuesday, December 17, the D.C. Council decided once again to delay microstamping implementation in the District after seeing California’s failed attempts in implementing its own microstamping requirements. The Council voted on the “Microstamping Implementation Emergency Declaration 24 Resolution of 2013,” which would postpone microstamping requirements in the District until January 1, 2016.
This is not the first time the D.C. Council has delayed this issue. In trying to mirror California’s law, D.C. originally had these requirements set to take effect on January 1, 2011. Seeing issues with California’s implementation, the D.C. Council decided to delay applicability requirements multiple times since that date. With the new deadline approaching quickly, the D.C. Council has again voted to delay this until 2016. It is clearly obvious that the technology needed for this program is unavailable and in the end will only burden law-abiding citizens. Criminals will not comply with the law when it goes into effect and will therefore not do anything for public safety.