ICPO-Interpol - General Assembly 66th Session - New Delhi - 15th-21st October 1997

AWARE of the harm done to the citizens of member countries by international criminal activities involving the use of illegally acquired firearms,

RECOGNIZING that successful action against such illegal activities depends on close co-operation between member countries, law enforcement agencies,- all levels -of, government, and other international organizations,

COGNIZANT of the. diverse legal systems, political structures and cultural differences of member countries and of the need to respect their sovereignty,

The ICP0-Interpol General Assembly meeting in New Delhi from 15th to 21st October 1997 at its 66th Session:

RECOMMENDS:

1. That all firearms manufactured in any country be sufficiently identifiable by permanent markings which should indicate at least the manufacturer's name, the model name or number, the calibre and the country of origin, and which should include each firearm's unique serial number;
2. That, if not already in place, each country adopts effective legislation and a reporting system enabling it to supervise and control all transactions relating to firearms (i.e. imports, exports, sales, purchases, possession and transfers) on its territory;
3. That NCBs use all available means for communicating information about illegal activities with international implications involving firearms to the Interpol General Secretariat and other concerned member countries, including the electronic message formats which are compatible with the Interpol Weapons and Explosives Tracking System (IWETS) and other databases;
4. In conformity with the laws in their country, all NCBs give information to Interpol concerning the purchase of any firearms and ammunition by foreign non-resident private individuals;
5. That, if not already in place, all member countries, especially those that manufacture firearms, establish firearms tracing systems so that they can respond accurately and promptly to tracing requests;

ASKS member countries to conduct campaigns encouraging their citizens to use and store firearms safely;

INVITES member countries to consider that the criminal misuse of firearms as a serious penal offence, for which appropriate penalties should be instituted;

ENCOURAGES member countries to adopt legislation and regulations relating to the. use of firearms by civilians;

ABROGATES the following resolutions:

• AGN/32/RES/1
  
• AGN/36/RES/2
  
• AGN/37/RES/1
  
• AGN/38/RES/8
  
• AGN/41/RES/11
  
• AGN/43/RES/8
  
• AGN/49/RES/3
  
• AGN/51/RES/6
  
• AGN/55/RES/4
  
• AGN/56/RES/7
  
• AGN/61/RES/15