The importance of marking in the arms industry

All firearms manufacturers must mark their products. Why.

1. - In Europe: the European legislation regarding the marking of weapons is governed by Directive (EU) 2017/853 of the European Parliament transposed by the talian government by LEGISLATIVE DECREE No. 104 of August 10, 2018. In summary in paragraphs 6,7 and 8 it reads:
   
   

• 6. In order to improve the traceability of all firearms and essential components and facilitate their free movement, all firearms and their essential components should be clearly, permanently and uniquely marked and registered in national archives.
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  7. Such archives should include all information linking the firearms to their owners, including the manufacturer's name or trademark, country or place of manufacture, type, make, model, caliber, and serial number of the firearm, or any unique markings affixed to the frame or barrel of the firearm. Essential components other than the frame or barrel should be recorded in the file under the entry for the firearm on which they will be mounted.
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  8. In order to prevent markings from being easily erased and to clarify which essential components should be marked, common Union marking standards should be introduced. These rules should apply only to firearms or essential components manufactured or imported into the Union on or after September 14, 2018 when they are placed on the market, while firearms and parts manufactured or imported into the Union before that date should continue to be subject to the marking and registration requirements of Directive 91/477/EEC, which are applicable until that date.
  
  
  

Of course, imported weapons must also be identified by additional marking. In addition Art. 5 of the decree in question in this regard amended the first paragraph of Art. 11 of Law No. 110/1975, stipulating that "on the weapons produced, assembled or introduced into the State, a unique, clear and permanent marking must be stamped, without delay, by the manufacturer, assembler or importer, after manufacture, assembly, or importation." This general rule is then minutely specified in the subsequent paragraphs of the same provision.

In other words, all the components of a weapon must be permanently marked in such a way that they cannot be erased. Thus, not only the manufacturer's name or trademark, the country or place of manufacture, the type, make, model, caliber, and serial number of the weapon, but all the components.

Of course, imported weapons must also be identified by additional marking. In addition Art. 5 of the decree in question in this regard amended the first paragraph of Art. 11 of Law No. 110/1975, stipulating that "on the weapons produced, assembled or introduced into the State, a unique, clear and permanent marking shall be stamped, without delay, by the manufacturer, assembler or importer, after manufacture, assembly, or importation." This general rule is then minutely specified in the subsequent paragraphs of the same provision.

In other words, all the components of a weapon must be permanently marked in such a way that they cannot be erased. Thus, not only the manufacturer's name or trademark, the country or place of manufacture, the type, make, model, caliber, and serial number of the weapon, but all the components.

Other regulations and standards:each country or nation has specific regulations, laws and standards. For example, in the United States, the ATF (the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives), requires that each firearm must be engraved with a unique serial number at a minimum depth of 0.003 inches and in a size no smaller than 1/16 inch. The serial number includes information on the manufacturer's name, country of origin, model, caliber, importer's name, and the importer's city and state. The importer must ensure that these that all this information appears on each weapon.

• For marketing purposes: all weapons may be marked with the manufacturer's name and logo
• To customize the weapon itself: there is an increasing demand for product customization in many countries from around the world. More and more manufacturers are offering customization services especially with regard to weapons for sporting use. In this way, each weapon is unique and, in some cases, even more aesthetically pleasing.