Citation(s) from the GunPolicy.org literature library
UK. 2010 ‘Marking, Record Keeping and Tracing.’ National Report of the United Kingdom on its Implementation of the Programme of Action to Prevent, Combat and Eradicate the Illicit Trade in Small Arms and Light Weapons in All Its Aspects (UNPoA), p. 5. New York, NY: Counter Proliferation Department / Foreign and Commonwealth Office. 1 March
Relevant contents
Marking, Record Keeping and Tracing
The UK has been working with the European Commission and the European Parliament to amend the European Weapons Directive, specifically but not exclusively to meet the requirements of the UN Protocol against the Illicit manufacturing of and Trafficking in Firearms, their Parts, Components and Ammunition. A final text has now been adopted and the amended Directive will take effect from 28 July 2010.
This Directive will require Member States, at the time of manufacture of each firearm, either to:
(a) uniquely mark, including the name of the manufacturer, the country or place of manufacture, the serial number and the year of manufacture (if not part of the serial number). This is without prejudice to the possible affixation of the trademark.
(b) maintain any alternative unique user-friendly marking with a number or alphanumeric code, permitting ready identification by all States of the country of manufacture….
All UK military SALW are marked with a unique serial number. The number is engraved into the metal of the body, trigger mechanism housing, or receiver of the weapon. When the MoD has involvement in the procurement of a new weapon system, full serial numbers are requested in the contract.
[SALW = Small Arms and Light Weapons]
Last accessed at:
http://www.poa-iss.org/PoA/NationalReportList.aspx