Citation(s) from the GunPolicy.org literature library
Ireland. 2020 ‘International Transfers.’ National Report of Ireland on its Implementation of the United Nations Programme of Action to Prevent, Combat and Eradicate the Illicit Trade in Small Arms and Light Weapons in All Its Aspects (UNPoA); Section 3, p. 8. New York NY: Permanent Mission of Ireland to the United Nations. 1 January
Relevant contents
Marking at import
3.10. Does your country require that SALW imported into your country be marked at the time of import? YES
3.10.1. Who is responsible for marking the SALW?
It is a requirement under Directive (EU) 2017/853 which introduced new marking requirements amending Article 4 of Council Directive 91/477/EEC on control of the acquisition and possession of weapons. Under the Directive, it is a requirement that each essential component of a firearm manufactured in, or imported into, the European Union, on or after 14 September 2018 is provided with a clear, permanent and unique marking.
This requirement was given effect in Irish Law under Statutory Instrument 420 of 2019. European Commission Implementing Directive 2019/68 established technical specifications for the marking that EU Member States must adhere to. The manufacturer, vendor or importer, as the case may be is responsible for marking.
Conditions may be placed on Irish importation licences by the Irish authorities in relation to ensuring requirements on the marking of firearms and their essential components are complied with by the importer without delay.
3.10.2. What information is included in the marking on import?
Statutory Instrument No 420 of 2019 provides that for imports into Ireland from outside the European Union, the unique marking to be applied to firearms or essential components shall include the name of the manufacturer or brand; the country or place of manufacture; the serial number; the year of manufacture (if not already part of the serial number); and the model, where feasible. This is without prejudice to the affixing of the manufacturer's trademark. Where an essential component is too small to be marked in compliance with the requirements, it shall be marked at least with a serial number or an alphanumeric or digital code.
3.10.3. Are there exceptions to the requirement to mark imported SALW? YES
In accordance with Article 4(2) of the EU Firearms Directive 91/477/EEC antique firearms may imported without additional markings being applied. Article 2 of the EU Directive also gives an exemption to police and armed forces of the state, public authorities and museums. Despite legislative exemption, all SALW acquired by the Irish Defence Forces are engraved with unique identifiers at the time of manufacture.
This would be agreed as a condition of any contract to procure SALW, the detail in any such identifier would be in keeping with international best practice.
3.10.4. If marked SALW imported into your country do not bear a unique marking when they arrive, does your country require that they be given such a marking?
Yes. Section 5 of Statutory Instrument 420 of 2019 inserted new regulations into the principal regulations (Statutory Instrument 362 of 1993) requiring that importations into the State from outside the European Union must be marked with a unique marking at the time of manufacture or without delay after importation.
[SALW = Small Arms and Light Weapons]