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

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9. Explosives: the recommendations on the transport of dangerous goods
foresee the marking of all explosives packaging, as above. In addition,
the Plastic Explosives Convention foresees that States parties mark
individually all newly manufactured plastic and sheet explosives.
5.2.3 Provisions Concerning Registration and Data Conservation
The desirable system
• Each State appoints or creates a body to manage a computerized
national record, in which are recorded all small arms (including
ammunition and explosives) irrespective of their owners and
irrespective, if applicable, of the transaction in which they are involved
(transfer, acquisition, sale or transportation). This body is also
responsible for controlling markings and registration on the ground;
• The data recorded includes the following: date of registration,
description and quantity of the firearms, ammunition or explosives
concerned, the data contained in the marking, the former and current
owner, as well as, if applicable: brokers and transportation services,
importing, exporting and transit countries; final recipient; and dates of
issue and expiry of the requested licences or authorizations;
• The data is conserved until the firearms, ammunition or explosives
concerned fall into the category of antique weapons, according to a
globally accepted standard. 36
The Vienna Protocol
• Each State ensures that the information on the firearms is maintained
for at least 10 years and, where appropriate and feasible, their parts
and components and ammunition necessary to ensure the tracing of
illicit firearms (Article 7);
• The recorded information includes: (a) the marks required by Article 8,
and (b) in cases involving international transactions in firearms, their
parts, components and ammunition, the dates of issue and expiration
of the appropriate licences and authorizations, the country of export,
import and transit, the final recipient as well as the description and
quantity of the articles (Article7.b).