The Scope and Implications of a Tracing Mechanism for Small Arms ...

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(b) Otherwise, import markings should not be applied until after the
weapons have been declared to the relevant authority at time of
import and before delivery to the military or the commercial arms
dealer.
2. Import marks need not be more complicated or costly than a CIP Proof
Mark indicating a country code and year of import stamped on each
weapon.
3. Where the original manufacturer’s marks on imported weapons are
not user-friendly to the importing country (for the purposes of unique
identification and/or record-keeping), the importing country should
stamp such weapons with its own supplementary unique identifying
markings and use these for its record-keeping (consideration should be
given to the exporter bearing the cost in such cases).
Marking Essential Component Parts and Spare/Replacement Parts
Essential component parts should be marked to ensure they can be
readily cross-referenced with the “mother weapon”. Cooperation and
coordination is needed between the world’s arms manufacturers to agree
on a marking system for replacement or spare parts. To avoid ambiguity or
duplication, the system needs to be unique to each factory and allow
identification of the manufacturer, year of manufacture and the unique
serial number. (This may be more idealistic than realistic, but it is worthy
of discussion).
Record-Keeping
Computerization must rapidly replace manual paper driven systems.
Despite negotiated treaties and protocols (e.g. UN Firearms Protocol and
OSCE Document), and mindful that weapons have a long shelf life,
countries should be encouraged to maintain all records for an indefinite
period. Electronic storage medium can easily accommodate this
requirement, and facilitate rapid search and retrieval for tracing purposes.
In the US, it is a statutory requirement that when commercial arms dealers
go out of business, their records have to be handed over to the Bureau of
Alcohol Tobacco and Firearms (ATF). This common sense approach should
be replicated in every country. Interoperability between national systems is
also a critical area. The RCMP, for example, are working with a computer
software company to develop a programme which enables different
systems to “talk” to each other in the same computer language with one