Since you brought this up, could you provide a thumbnail description of "regulated firearms" as used in the bill?
As far as your other points, I find #1 to be highly unlikely. Criminals simply aren't going to bother going through the trouble (and expense) to handload ammo in "ecoded" fired cases. Stolen "encoded" ammo won't be traced to the criminal, and is a lot simpler, easier (and cheaper).
#2) Manufacturers are absolutely NOT going to comply with this, as it goes way beyond just "marking a number".
As written, the bill requires the marking to be "as determined by the Commissioner.." which cannot even be contemplated UNTIL the "Commissioner" makes known what is to be required.
Second, the bill requires the marking to be on the base of the bullet and inside the case in such a manner as to be "likely" to be able to be used to identify them AFTER firing and bullet IMPACT.
(and just how, pray tell is that to be complied with??)
Next, the requirement is for each round in each box of ammo to have the same number ID, and a different ID# for each different box of ammo.
This would require every ammo maker to segregate and track each bullet, each case, and each ammo box to ensure compliance. That is not a trivial matter. It would require a complete revamping of the method of ammunition manufacturing. IN order to comply with this proposed law, ammo could no longer be made in runs of thousands of rounds and then boxed up,. ammo would have to be made, in box lots (20 or 50 rnds at a time), then boxed, in order to ensure that the bullets, cases, and box numbers all match. AND, ensuring that only ammo so made goes to PA...
They simply are not going to do that, and particularly won't do it for ammo sales in one local area (PA).
Additionally, a 5cent TAX per round of ammo, to pay for the "encoded ammo tracking database".... (which govt sales are exempt from...)
And I find it most generous that the people of PA will have at MOST 5 months (assuming the bill becomes law immediately) to use up or destroy ALL the ammo in the state, without compensation or even even the possibility of replacement with approved "encoded" ammo by 1 Jan 2024. (again, except for the state's ammo??)
As described, with the "encoding" on the INSIDE of the round, how is one supposed to be able to tell if the ammo is compliant or not?? This ALONE is an absolute enforcement nightmare. The exterior of an encoded round and an unencoded round would be identical. Is it going to be a crime to put encoded rounds in a different box? etc...
Where would "burden of proof" lie?? Would "suspect" ammo have to be disassembled or fired in order to prove compliance or non compliance??
I also note there is no "grandfather" clause, no provision for keeping what was legal before passage of the act, only fixed timetable requirements, the creation of an entirely new registration database and tax system to pay for it, with no claimed or demonstratable benefit to public safety.
Additionally, if passed there would be a hell of a lot of non-compliance, both intentional and through simple ignorance of the new requirements. Along with yet another reason to scoff at such BS lawmaking....
I doubt this bill can become law, and even if it did pass, the simple fact that as of Jan 1 2024 all privately owned ammo in PA would become illegal (and I guarantee you there will NOT be ammo that meets the law's requirements available to the public by that date (if ever) I think that violates both PA and Fed constitutional guarantees.
The right to keep and bear arms DOES include the ammunition for said arms. Even in the Commonweath of Pennsylvania, despite some lawmakers, believing otherwise.
