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

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accuracy and man-hour effectiveness, to record data in a computer (whose
costs are reasonable for all manufacturers). Third, providing access to these
records is of minimal cost to the manufacturer/wholesaler/dealer, but will
require some expense for law enforcement or regulatory agencies to access
the records (by phone, fax, or computer, or by mail or personal visitation).
Finally, any effective training system requires that States establish minimal
controls relating to the movement of uncontrolled firearms across their
borders through a State.
4.4.2 A “Middle of the Road” Tracing System
Enhancements to “bare-bones” tracing systems can exponentially
improve the tracing process and data retrieval capabilities. Such
enhancements can include the following features:
• centralization of records;
• computerizing records;
• inauguration of data collection on used guns that have re-entered the
commercial market;
• collection of crime gun data;
• expansion of access of law enforcement to the records.
Cost estimates of these enhancements naturally vary with the size and
scope of the State in question, but the largest expense would be in the
transition from paper records to computer storage systems. ATF’s process of
digitizing paper records from out-of-business licensees will be fairly costly
(approximately US$15 million). The other enhancements are less costly but
require legislative and regulatory changes.
4.4.3 A “Gold Standard” Tracing Mechanism
A third option would involve the use of all available technologies and
resources to enhance the tracing process.
There are several marking innovations now available, though they are
cost-prohibitive for general use. These technologies might be called “infomarking”
(i.e., a general procedure in which the markings could provide a
tremendous amount of information that is readily recorded or recordable).
For example, the use of computer chips within a component part of the