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

to the last importer indicated on the arm rather than having to trace
back to the manufacturer and reconstitute all the stages of the
weapon’s life. 34
3. Legibility: only the Vienna Protocol specifies the way in which the
“classical” marking is to be expressed, and in this context stipulates the
option for certain States to use symbols—which hinders the registration
and exchange of information. It is important that all the mechanisms
be precise on this subject (this would require the introduction of a
relevant amendment for the existing mechanisms, and the exact
specification of requirements at the outset of possible future
mechanisms).
4. Only the SADC Protocol foresees the obligation to mark several parts
of firearms. This measure, already applied without obligation by some
manufacturers, must be brought into wide use.
5. Durability: only the Vienna Protocol takes into account the problem of
the ease with which traffickers can erase the markings on firearms. 35
Frequent obliteration of markings justifies the systematic application of
security markings.
6. Concerning firearms manufactured prior to the entry into force of the
respective mechanisms: the Vienna Protocol foresees the marking of
weapons transferred to civilians by a State; the OAS Convention
foresees the marking of confiscated weapons that would be transferred
to police and security forces; and the Plastic Explosives Convention
foresees the marking, consumption or destruction of unmarked
explosives within a certain timeframe.
7. Extraterritoriality: only the OSCE Document foresees marking “as far as
possible and within the limits of the competence of the States” of
firearms that are manufactured under a State's authority but outside its
territory.
8. Ammunition: the recommendations on the transport of dangerous
goods foresee the marking of all ammunition packaging in a unique
and detailed manner. The absence of unique marking on the
ammunition itself is evidently a problem since traffickers can merely
transfer the contents into another packaging. This mechanism
nevertheless has other interesting aspects: for one, the content of the
marking is quite exhaustive and almost indelible. Furthermore, in
consenting to improving the traceability of ammunition (and of
explosives) packaging, States have implicitly consented to give up a
certain degree of confidentiality, since the verification of packaging
allows the contents to be known by the controlling organization.
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