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

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75 case of Switzerland, it would be necessary initially to implement a uniform system in the various cantonal police forces and institutions. The use of statistics can also contribute useful data concerning weapon flows and trafficking and those involved in them. All the measures to which we have just referred require an effort on the part of everyone in order to propose a uniform, transparent and efficient system for tracing firearms. Let us also recall the difficulty currently posed by weapons that do not bear durable and unique standardized marks. An interesting point to recall in this context is the manufacture of Kalashnikovs and of certain weapons by Smith & Wesson, which are a prime example of the problem of the serial number as an identifier. Prior to 1968, Smith & Wesson used identical serial numbers for different models of weapons; similarly, the same serial number can be found on several weapons of the same type when they are manufactured in different countries but under the same license; and finally, a manufacturer may periodically recommence the numbering of its weapons, as with Kalashnikovs and M-16s, for example. 30 One sine qua non condition for the tracing mechanism to function properly is to avoid the absence and/or duplication of serial numbers. There is another point which it is important to highlight. Swiss legislation on firearms (“Recueil Systématique”—RS 514.54) contains certain loopholes that facilitate the disappearance of weapons and open the door to all sorts of fraudulent practice. Article 9, which deals with the acquisition of weapons by individuals, specifies that sales must take place in the context of a written contract that is valid for ten years. When these conditions are not complied with, the sale of a weapon by one individual to another perpetuates an uncontrollable grey market and creates many opportunities for fraud. 31 How can weapons be traced in such circumstances? The law on arms therefore needs to be improved and legal standards compatible with the tracing mechanism such as we have defined it in this document must be proposed. What is to be done, and how can the problem be resolved in a longterm perspective? What about the weapons-collecting operations that have been launched—without much success—and which have in fact had the adverse effect of “laundering” weapons previously involved in various conflicts?
76 There is no answer to the above, but conducting an evaluation does provide an idea of the outcome. In the context of perfect tracing, the solutions proposed would allow tracing operations to be improved considerably by providing innovative solutions. Since such a PT could not be considered a reasonably applicable solution, we must focus on other objectives. If we base ourselves on the pretty good tracing concept, taking into account only the technical elements such as the serial number allows firearms to be “partially” traced—many of them will slip through the cracks of such a mechanism. This is why a reasonable solution would be to integrate elements of forensic intelligence. 2.10 HIGH-TECH VERSUS LOW-TECH MARKING: SIGNIFICANT IMPLICATIONS FOR TRACING The various points concerning the implications of the choice of the marking technique deserve to be discussed from several points of view: technical, financial and with regard to their feasibility. The decision as to the best marking technique depends a great deal on the related needs in terms of marking, registration and tracing for the different institutions and law enforcement agencies involved in this process, as well as on what is reasonably acceptable and feasible. The principal technique currently used to mark firearms is stamping. It is a simple and inexpensive method, but one that has certain limitations as to the size of the mark, its location, and the deformation caused by the process. Moreover, the serial number is easily obliterated by milling, striking, gouging, drilling or double drilling. In comparison, marking by laser is a desirable alternative that allows the mark to meet the criteria for uniqueness, durability and invisibility. Let us also point out that laser marking also allows the weapon to be marked without any contact. The weapon can be marked on a limited surface area using various forms of codification such as bar codes, matrix codes or alphanumeric codes. From a technical point of view, the laser solution therefore appears to be the best choice. Let us also mention marking methods that use chemical markers (as in the case of explosives) or electronic chips (similar to applications of
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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
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18 component of this project is to
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20 They clarify whether a weapon is
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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 82 and 83: 69 This data provides an interestin
Page 84 and 85: 71 weapons belonging to illicit cir
Page 86 and 87: 73 imagine being able to effectivel
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
Page 133 and 134: 120 With the scope of the Protocol
Page 135 and 136: 122 The South African authorities a
Page 137 and 138: 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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218
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