<>
Industrial marking is an essential process for diverse industries. However, it is vital for the Firearms Industry. Each firearm must be marked with information that is essential for tracking and verifying the history and movements of the firearm itself. This prevents the latter from leaving the official circuits and entering the black market. Also, there are international regulations governing the production of firearms, including the marking activity. Nevertheless, these are not the sole reasons for marking firearms.
Each firearms manufacturer must mark its products. Why?
- To uphold and follow laws – Local and international regulations oblige manufacturers to mark their products, for instance:
– In the US: according with the Importation & Verification of Firearms and Ammunition by ATF (Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives), each firearm must be engraved with a unique serial number to a minimum depth of .003 inches and in a print size no smaller than 1/16 inches. The serial number includes information on the name of manufacturer, the country of origin, the model designation (if assigned, the caliber or guage, the name of the importer and the city & state of the importer.) The importer must ensure that these means of identification appear on each firearm. If the manufacturer did not mark the product, the importer must place the required markings on the firearm within 15 days after their release from Customs and Border Protection custody. The Director of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives may authorize other means of firearms identification upon receipt of a letter application from the importer, submitted in duplicate, showing that such other means of identification is reasonable and will not hinder the effective administration of the regulations.–
In the EU: according to the (EU) 2017/853 Directive by the European Parliament, all firearms and essential components should be marked with a clear, permanent and unique marking and registered in national archives (see paragraphs 6,7 and 8). These archives should include all information enabling the firearms to be linked to their respective owners, including the name of the manufacturer or brand, the country or place of manufacture, the type, brand, model, the caliber and serial number of the firearm or any unique marking affixed to the frame or barrel of the firearm. Essential components other than the frame or barrel should be recorded in the archive under the item relating to the firearm on which they will be mounted. In order to prevent markings from being easily erased and to clarify which essential components the marking should be affixed to, common Union rules on marking should be introduced. These rules should apply only to firearms or essential components manufactured or imported into the Union on or after 14 September 2018 when they were 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.– Other regulations and standards: each country has specific regulations, laws and standards. Of course, these rules are mandatory also for firearms importers. In other words, all components of a firearm must be permanently marked. Hence, not only the name of the manufacturer or the brand, the country or the place of manufacture, the type, the brand, the model, the caliber and the serial number of the firearm need to be marked, but even all other components.
- For marketing reasons: all firearms can be marked with the manufacturer’s logo and name
- For personalizing the firearm itself: there is an increasing tendency to More and more manufacturers offer customization services for firearms customization service, this is , especially true in the sports fieldsector. In this manner way, each firearm is unique and, in some casesalso, more aesthetically pleasing.
_________________________________________________________________________________________
Since 1940, Automator designs, manufactures and provides marking solutions for creating permanent and resistant marking on all types of firearms. Our undisputed and longstanding professional practice is the bedrock of our services which include technical consultancy and global production, sale and assistance of marking machines. Our solutions for fireams marking include laser systems, dot peen stampers, scribers, roll markers and pneumatic or manual impact machines.
Visit the Automator marking systems’ website, browse our clients in firearms industry and consult with our technicians and experts.