In-depth look at ISACS Marking and Recordkeeping

United Nations framework International Tracing Instrument Marking Recordkeeping Cooperation in tracing UN Firearms Protocol UN Programme of Action

Objective All SALW are uniquely marked recorded in such a way that comprehensive information on each individual weapon is readily retrievable Module overview

Time of marking All SALW shall be marked at the time of their Manufacture Import Transfer from government stocks to permanent civilian use Permanent confiscation by the State Deactivation

Items to be marked All assembled SALW Parts & components Requirement: Frame or receiver (primary reference point) Recommendation: Pressure- bearing parts (e.g. barrel, bolt, cylinder, slide, breech block) Ammunition Smallest packaging units

Marking at manufacture Recommended Content ① XX – Country of manufacture (2 digit ISO code) ② XXXX – Manufacturer’s name or code ③ 99 – Year of manufacture ④ 99 – Type / model code ⑤ – Serial number ⑥ 99 - Calibre

Marking at manufacture Physical characteristics Markings are applied to an exposed surface and are Conspicuous without technical aids or tools Easily recognizable Readable Durable Recoverable (as far as is technically possible)

Marking at import Adequately marked weapons Country of import Year of import Inadequately marked weapons Country of import Year of import Unique serial number Import mark applied on frame/receiver Adjacent to existing markings Visibly distinguishable from them

Recordkeeping Records to be kept for all SALW Country of manufacture Name of manufacturer Serial number Year of manufacture Weapon type/model Caliber Location of markings on the weapon (e.g. on the frame/receiver, barrel, etc.) Ownership information

Recordkeeping Additional records to be kept for SALW that are Exported Imported Transferred from government stocks to permanent civilian use Permanently confiscated (not destroyed) Deactivated Destined for destruction

Record-keeping Keepers of records  Centralised (recommended)  Decentralised (allowed) Methods of recordkeeping  Electronic (recommended)  Backups / copies (required)

Record-keeping Access to records  Timeframe for information retrieval – 1 week Duration of recordkeeping  Requirement: Manufacturing records – 30 years  Requirement: All other records – 20 years  Recommendation: Keep records indefinitely

Annex A Overview of Marking Methods Stamping Casting Mechanical Engraving Laser Engraving Radio Frequency Identification Electro-Chemical Methods Micro-Stamping Other methods