The Scope and Implications of a Tracing Mechanism for Small Arms ...
The Scope and Implications of a Tracing Mechanism for Small Arms ...
The Scope and Implications of a Tracing Mechanism for Small Arms ...
Create successful ePaper yourself
Turn your PDF publications into a flip-book with our unique Google optimized e-Paper software.
157<br />
firearm can provide instant in<strong>for</strong>mation about the history <strong>of</strong> the firearm. <strong>The</strong><br />
use <strong>of</strong> bar codes has also been explored.<br />
Additional enhancements would include:<br />
• web-based registration <strong>and</strong> tracing;<br />
• web-based record-keeping <strong>for</strong> all manufactured, imported, exported<br />
<strong>and</strong> transferred firearms;<br />
• widespread <strong>and</strong> improved Integrated Ballistics Technology;<br />
• interoperability <strong>of</strong> tracing systems with other record-keeping systems<br />
such as fingerprint <strong>and</strong> DNA databases.<br />
4.4.4 Inherent Impediments to an Effective <strong>Tracing</strong> System<br />
No matter which tracing system is adopted, there will remain <strong>for</strong> the<br />
<strong>for</strong>eseeable future a number <strong>of</strong> impediments to successful traces. <strong>The</strong>se<br />
include:<br />
• the durability/longevity <strong>of</strong> firearms;<br />
• the transportability <strong>of</strong> firearms;<br />
• the large volume <strong>of</strong> extant firearms;<br />
• the complexity <strong>of</strong> firearms models <strong>and</strong> types <strong>of</strong> marking systems,<br />
requiring the reliance upon experts;<br />
• unmarked <strong>and</strong> improperly marked firearms;<br />
• obliterated or sanitized markings;<br />
• duplicate markings, or markings with unrecognizable symbols or letters;<br />
• unauthorized <strong>and</strong> hence unrecorded transfers;<br />
• stolen firearms;<br />
• lost, damaged, or expired records;<br />
• incompatibility <strong>of</strong> different tracing systems.<br />
4.5 CONCLUSION<br />
In countering firearms crime <strong>and</strong> violence, the value <strong>of</strong> tracing cannot<br />
be underestimated. <strong>Tracing</strong> not only furnishes law en<strong>for</strong>cement with the<br />
means to help solve a single crime, but uncovers illicit trafficking networks<br />
that can prevent new crimes from occurring. As shown in this paper, any<br />
effective tracing system must include the cooperative ef<strong>for</strong>ts <strong>of</strong> government<br />
<strong>and</strong> industry, working under an umbrella <strong>of</strong> clear laws, regulations <strong>and</strong>