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

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69 This data provides an interesting account of the difficulties encountered, the shortcomings of the tracing mechanism and the solutions that can be implemented to remedy them. For the moment, many weapons require new markings, since the majority of the problems encountered in Table 4 were related to the weapon's serial number. Davey 21 has pointed out that weapons from the manufacturer Glock ® have a particular marking system that shows when components have been changed during the weapon’s lifetime. A letter (G in the case of the frame, S for the slide and L for the barrel) is added as a prefix to the serial number to indicate that this part has been changed. This type of marking therefore allows someone to discover part of the weapon's history simply by reading the existing serial number. The technique of dual marking is also an interesting solution for firearms. It is based on one readily visible marking in combination with another—a so-called “invisible” one. This marking can be applied using different, more or less sophisticated techniques. Thus, if one of the weapon’s marks is obliterated, the weapon can still be traced due to the remaining mark. Were it adopted, this dual marking system would have to be highly formalized. We are nevertheless forced to admit that this technique goes far beyond the requirements of a PGT; it is however perfectly in line with those of a perfect tracing operation. This is why when considering the options for a reasonable solution for marking, dual marking cannot be the chosen method. Weapons intended for armed and police forces should also have special marks. Given that these weapons can also be stolen (or used for all types of crime), they should be rapidly distinguishable from civilian weapons in the context of a trace. The incident in Lausanne, Switzerland, is a perfect example of this (see Appendix 4). Swiss weapons have a distinguishing feature in their marking whereby the prefix A for “Army” appears on the serial number of military weapons, facilitating their identification. Knowledge of the different markings used is therefore essential to the ability to trace a firearm effectively. In the context of a reasonable tracing solution, the use of current marking practices and familiarity with their codification provides useful indications on the weapon in question. The logical approach would therefore be to work on these markings first and foremost, and to establish a register of their different forms. Marking all weapons currently on the market—desirable though it
70 is—remains unrealistic, which is why a reasonable solution would be to first tackle the weapons that are registered, whose trace is easy to locate. The Canadian experience in this respect can serve as an example. Given the above observations and depending on the type of weapon being considered, the following essential components should be marked. Handgun Revolver Long weapon Frame Barrel Cylinder Frame Barrel Firing pin Ejector Extractor Magazine Frame Barrel Firing pin Ejector Extractor Magazine The targeted objects and the marking technique should be discussed further. Let us remember that the serial number must appear several times on the weapon, in places that are not readily visible or are difficult to access. If this is the case, only one part of the serial number (for example, the last three digits) need be repeated, in the interest of having a shorter mark. We reiterate the importance of taking into consideration each category of weapon individually in the setting of standards regarding the positioning of the marks. For now, a tracing mechanism that is suited to the current marking methods must be adopted, even though logically it is marking that should be adapted to the tracing operations. 2.8 ARE THERE ANY SALW THAT CANNOT BE INCLUDED IN ANY TYPE OF TRACING MECHANISM? From a technical point of view, every weapon should be traceable by means of its serial number or other distinguishing identifier. Unfortunately, law enforcement officers face several obstacles in this endeavor: (1) antique weapons (those that did not receive any particular registration marking when they were made, or whose marking is insufficient), (2) weapons currently in circulation but whose marking is not standard, or (3) those
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UNIDIR/2002/20 The Scope and Implic
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CONTENTS Page Preface. . . . . . .
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v Chapter 4 Structures and Institut
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viii point of diversion, thus inhib
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ACRONYMS ATFUS BATF BPA CFR CFR CIC
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xiii VIN WFSA WIES WR Vehicle Ident
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2 and lines of supply of illicit SA
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4 First, if a weapon has been invol
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6 The UN Programme of Action includ
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8 1.3 MARKING 1.3.1 Introduction A
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10 uniquely identify each productio
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12 • Ensure, at the time of trans
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14 • increasing the resistance of
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16 The UN Firearms Protocol, in its
Page 31 and 32: 18 component of this project is to
Page 33 and 34: 20 They clarify whether a weapon is
Page 35 and 36: 22 Though such systems have great p
Page 37 and 38: 24 have a more prominent role to pl
Page 39 and 40: 26 That said, national intelligence
Page 41 and 42: 28 training and technical assistanc
Page 43 and 44: 30 This highlights one of the most
Page 45 and 46: 32 An international tracing mechani
Page 47 and 48: 34 Some of the necessary elements a
Page 49 and 50: 36 on sources and lines of supply o
Page 51 and 52: 38 In promoting international assis
Page 53 and 54: 40 3 Programme of Action to Prevent
Page 55 and 56: 42 25 This section draws on discuss
Page 58 and 59: 45 BIBLIOGRAPHY Berkol, Ilhan, Mark
Page 60 and 61: CHAPTER 2 WHAT TO MARK AND WHAT TO
Page 62 and 63: 49 tracing method for all SALW (con
Page 64 and 65: 51 Figure 2: : The different sub-ca
Page 66 and 67: 53 In order to better grasp the pro
Page 68 and 69: 55 SALW include weapons of war, def
Page 70 and 71: 57 The following questions should t
Page 72 and 73: 59 All of this data, while useful f
Page 74 and 75: 61 2.5 WHAT ARE THE CRITERIA FOR IN
Page 76 and 77: 63 traced, but which ones? Precisel
Page 78 and 79: 65 Table 1: Firearms recovered in c
Page 80 and 81: 67 explosives belts and dozens of t
Page 84 and 85: 71 weapons belonging to illicit cir
Page 86 and 87: 73 imagine being able to effectivel
Page 88 and 89: 75 case of Switzerland, it would be
Page 90 and 91: 77 electronics in animal identifica
Page 92 and 93: 79 based our reflection on goals fo
Page 94 and 95: 81 10 Small Arms Survey, Annuaire s
Page 96 and 97: APPENDIX 1 83
Page 98 and 99: APPENDIX 3 85
Page 100: 87 the army weapon is capable of au
Page 103 and 104: 90 significance, hence in general t
Page 105 and 106: 92 3.1.2 Sanitization Removal or ob
Page 107 and 108: 94 Chinese Type 56-1 Unique Identif
Page 109 and 110: 96 verify that the imported weapons
Page 111 and 112: 98 weapons. There are risks involve
Page 113 and 114: 100 China Type 56 Russia AK47 Russi
Page 115 and 116: 102 channels, with the protection o
Page 117 and 118: 104 3.1.9 Comments Countries seekin
Page 119 and 120: 106 as a result, potentially tip-of
Page 121 and 122: 108 2. All markings must be made pe
Page 123 and 124: 110 shared encryption standard. The
Page 125 and 126: 112 Domestic record-keeping varies
Page 127 and 128: 114 Nevertheless, whilst the Wassen
Page 129 and 130: 116 individual weapon, should as a
Page 131 and 132: 118 • “Consolidation”—4 x 2
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120 With the scope of the Protocol
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122 The South African authorities a
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124 • (Tracing) Details of all st
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126 tracing Chinese weapons. Conseq
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128 circulating information by fax
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130 Tracing requests are normally c
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132 encourage countries along the t
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134 close enough to provide adequat
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136 3. If Interpol is not up to the
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138 which restrict the amount of in
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140 9 It was notable during negotia
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142
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144 There are other reasons as well
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146 Laws Firearms are a durable com
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148 This last point should not be u
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150 the future a firearm tracing qu
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152 There are several important ele
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154 Canada, nearly all transfers re
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156 accuracy and man-hour effective
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158 industry practices. An effectiv
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160
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162 manner in national (and possibl
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164 routine stockpile management. A
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166 International regulations on th
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168 2. The definitions of weapons,
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170 enable national authorities to
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172 serial number of the firearm. T
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174 9. Explosives: the recommendati
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176 • The States parties undertak
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178 • The following is establishe
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180 International regulations on th
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182 • The participating States ag
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184 The Convention on Plastic Explo
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186 5.3.1 European Joint Action The
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188 years in July 2001. In December
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190 • States must make efforts to
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192 a greater degree of harmonizati
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194 this may lead to the undesirabl
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196 28 Or at least difficult or imp
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198 49 Speech by Mr. Koffi Adjouman
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200 in its capacity as President of
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202 Table 1: Scope of the Seven Pri
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204 Table 1 (continued) Characteris
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206 Characteristics of the marking
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208 Characteristics of the marking
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210 Characteristics of the recordke
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212 Characteristics of the record-k
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214 Table 4: Comparison of the Stan
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216 Characteristics of the exchange
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