Branches of Ballistics

What is Interior/Internal Ballistics?

- Is the science dealing with the motion of the projectile while still inside the barrel of the firearm?
- Is also the study of what happens within the barrel of a weapon from the moment the firing pin
hits the primer to the time the bullets exits from the barrel.
- It is mainly concerned with propellant pressures, acceleration of the missile whilst it is in the
bore, muzzle velocity and recoil.
- Esoteric considerations such as primer ignition time, primer pressure/time curves and temperature
also come within the general subject matter of interior ballistics.
- It is the study of the motion of the projectile while it is still inside the firearm (chamber/ barrel)
which extends from the breech to the muzzle. The condition attribute to interior ballistics are as
follows:
1. Firing pin hitting the primer
2. Ignition of the priming mixture (percussion action)
3. Combustion of gun powder
4. Expansion of heated gas
5. Pressure developed
6. Energy generated
7. Recoil of the gun
8. Rotation of the bullet in the barrel
9. Velocity of the bullet in the barrel
10. Engravings of the cylindrical surface of the bullet

Note: A firearm such as a rifle, pistol, or artillery piece fires a projectile as a result of the burning of its
propellant, which usually is smokeless powder. When the powder is ignited, large quantities of gases are
produced. These gases force the projectile through the barrel in much the same way that children blow
peas from a pea-shooter. If the gas pressure is too small, the bullet or shell will not reach its target. If the
pressure is too great the gun may blow up. Also, if the pressure changes with each shot, the velocity of the
projectile will change and accuracy will be poor. How to regulate this pressure is one of the most
important problems in interior ballistics.

Almost all types of firearms (except for shotguns and rocket launchers) have spiral grooves on the inside
of their barrels. These grooves are called rifling. The depth, diameter, and number of turns vary in
different weapons and differ slightly with each separate weapon of the same type. When a pistol or rifle is
fired, the bullet's metal fills into the grooves. Irregularities, some visible only through a microscope, leave
markings on the bullet. These markings help ballistic experts determine which weapon fired a given
bullet, since all bullets from the same gun have similar markings. This type of investigation is useful in
police work.

What is Exterior/External Ballistics?

- is the science dealing with the motion of projectiles after leaving the muzzle of the gun.
- deals with the flight of the bullet from the muzzle of the weapon to the target.
- This is truly a terribly complicated subject involving parameters such as bullet shape, sectional
density. Atmospheric pressure and even, in larger-calibre weapons, the rotation of the earth. With
the advent of powerful personal computers, this subject has, however, now come within the
realms of the average person. What took hours of complex calculations and reference to books of
flight time tables can now be achieved in a few moments.
- It is also the study of the motion of the projectile after leaving the gun muzzle.
1. Muzzle blast
 2. Muzzle energy
3. Trajectory
4. Range
a. Accurate
b. Effective
c. Maximum Extreme
5. Velocity
6. Air resistance
7. Pull of gravity

Note: When a bullet or artillery shell leaves a gun, it spins like a top because of the spiral rifling. This
spinning motion gives the projectile stability of flight. Some rocket missiles are made to spin by metal
fins or by small auxiliary rocket engines. While in the air, the projectile is subject to various forces, such
as gravity, air resistance, wind, and drift caused by the spin. The effect of these forces must be considered
when aiming a weapon to achieve accurate shooting.

What is Terminal Ballistics?

- is the study dealing with the effect of the impact of the bullet on the target.
- deals with the behaviour of the missile once it reaches the target.
- This is obviously not concerned with simply piercing a paper target, but what the missile does
once it encounters a material considerably denser than air. Whilst this will usually be concerned
with the missiles performance and wounding capabilities in animal tissue, this could also include
its performance in water, soil, brick, concrete, wood or bullet- resistant materials.
- These also a study of the effects of the projectile on the target and the study of the behaviour of
the projectile upon hitting the target and the transfer of its kinetic energy to the target.
1. Terminal accuracy
2. Terminal energy
3. Terminal velocity
4.Terminal Penetration

Note: The penetration of tank armor by armor-piercing ammunition is an important concern of terminal
ballistics. Another is the damage done to the target by the blast effect and flying fragments of a shell or
bomb. With nuclear weapons there is also damage from intense heat and radiation. The study of terminal
ballistics helps scientists to develop more effective weapons and to devise means of defence against

What is shot Ballistics?

-is the study of shotgun ammunitions including characteristics spread and trailing.

Note: In shot ballistics a shot shell pellet's ballistic coefficient is a comparative measure of its ability to
overcome the force of air resistance. It is numerically equal to the pellet's sectional density divided by a
so called form factor, which is an index of pellet shape. The pellet's sectional density is equal to its weight
(in lbs) divided by the square of its diameter (in inches). The form factor for a truly spherical pellet is
equal to one (1.0). Hence, for an undeformed, spherical pellet, the ballistic coefficient is simply equal to
its sectional density. If two dissimilar pellets have the same ballistic coefficient and are launched with the
same muzzle velocity, their velocities (and flight times) at any downrange point will be the same.

What is Wound Ballistics?

- Is the study of the effect of a projectile on a target and the conditions that affect them..
- Is the study of projectile penetration of tissues
 - Wounding potential of projectiles is complex matter as it involves interplay of velocity, projectile
type/composition, and tissue characteristics
- Knowing the type of weapon and ammunition helps in gaining a better understanding of the
potential injuries and complications but should always be concerned with individual wound rather
than potential of the weapon/projectile
- A clinically relevant understanding of wound ballistics helps with a targeted physical assessment
and appropriate treatment options

Forensic Ballistics
The science of Firearms Identification by means of the ammunition fired through it.
1. Field Investigation (Police Phase)
2. Technical examination of ballistics exhibits (Laboratory Phase)
3. Legal proceedings (Judicial Phase)

Damage produced in three ways

1. Laceration and crushing - Disruption and destruction of tissue caused by the projectile as it crushes
and punches a hole in the tissue. The result is localized area of cell necrosis.
2. Cavitation
o Permanent cavity - The hole left by the passage of the projectile is proportional to the size of the
projectile. This is the volume of space once occupied by tissue which has been destroyed.
- Cavity is a function of the penetration and frontal area of the projectile which makes it.
- Cross-sectional area of the projectile track is comparable to the presenting area of the projectile
and its dimensions are roughly the same for all soft tissues
- Size of the permanent cavity can be increased by yaw (deviation of bullet from straight path
within tissue). As more tissue is in contact with projectile there is more tissue damage
- Size of permanent cavity can be increased by projectile deformation and fragmentation as well.
- Deformation is when a projectile changes it shape upon contact with tissue which increases the
diameter of the projectile. The flattening or deformation can cause 4 to 6 times greater tissue
contact thus more tissue damage. Example would be hollow point bullets.
- Fragmentation is when a projectile breaks apart within tissue creating many smaller projectiles.
Fragmentation is more devastating than deformation.
o Temporary cavity The transient expansion of the permanent cavity by stretching due to the
transfer of KE during the projectiles passage. The walls of the permanent cavity are temporarily
stretched radially outward.
- Temporary cavity may be up to thirty times the diameter of the projectile with a lifetime
of 5 to 10 milliseconds with pressures of up to 100 to 200 atmospheres
- Damage is due to stretching of the tissue
- Damage is analogous to localized area of blunt trauma surrounding the permanent cavity
- If the pressure of the temporary cavity exceeds the elastic limit of tissue then the organ
may be disrupted "burst" or "fractured and a large permanent cavity may be seen. Dense
organs which are relatively inelastic are most susceptible to this affect (i.e. liver) whereas
organs with low density and high elasticity are relative protected (i.e. lung).
3. Shock wave - acoustic wave which travels through tissue preceding the projectiles passage. Magnitude
may be 100 atmospheres but duration is 2 microseconds. No detectable harmful effect on tissues.

Wounding power

Projectiles mass and velocity

  Velocity dominant determinant of kinetic energy recall KE = 1/2(mv^2)
 Velocity almost to exclusion of mass is operative factor
o Double mass only doubles the KE
o Double velocity quadruples the KE
 Range affects the velocity at which the projectile strikes body tissue

Projectiles physical pacifications

 Caliber and shape of projectile influence effect in tissues and the loss of KE. Larger the caliber
the greater the loss of KE
 Structure of the projectile influences deformation and break- up in tissue. Projectiles which
fragment result in greater loss of KE Projectiles which deform in tissue cause greater loss of KE.
High velocity projectiles more likely to break up than low velocity projectiles.

Characteristics of tissue that has been penetrated

 Resistance or vulnerability to stretch damage depends mostly on tissue elasticity

o Elastic tissue - skeletal muscle, skin, blood vessels may be pushed aside but then rebound
o Inelastic tissue-bone or liver may fracture or burst
 Wound track-the longer the wound track the greater the loss of stability and the greater the
deformation of the projectile with resultant increased loss of KE
-The denser the tissue through which the projectile passes the greater the retardation of the projectile and
thus the greater the loss of KE

Misconceptions About Wound Ballistics

 Exit wounds are larger than entrance wounds - unreliable and seldom impacts care .
 -All projectile tracks must be fully explored -- elastic soft tissue anx generally heals uneventfully
and does not require excision provided the blood supply remains intact. Temporary cavity effects
are analogous to blunt trauma.

Triage and Treatment Decisions .

 Treat the wound not the weapon/projectile

 Treatment decisions based on type of wound. location, and amount of tissue disruption .
Document wounds completely avoiding temptation to label as "entrance" or "exit"

Note: Wound ballistics is mainly concerned with the mechanisms and medical implications of trauma
caused by bullets and explosively driven fragments. Upon penetration, the momentum given to the
surrounding tissues generates a large temporary cavity. The extent of local injury is related to the size of
this transient cavity. Evidence suggests that physical injury is proportional to the projectile's velocity
cubed, its mass, and its cross-sectional area. The wounding potential of a bullet is thus increased by
tumbling or mushrooming upon impact. Further injury is often caused by fast- moving fragments of
impacted bone. Studies of body armour seek to prevent projectile penetration and minimize injury."

What is Forensic Ballistics?

- is the study of firearms identification by means of ammunitions fired through them.
- This refers to the investigation and identification of firearms by means of ammunitions
fired from the submitted suspected firearms.
 - It is also a scientific study of firearm identification with the use of laboratory
examination.
- The subject gives emphasis on the study of ammunitions, projectiles, gunpowder, primer
and explosives, including the use of the bullet comparison microscope.
- It also deals with the principles in the microscopic and macroscopic examination of
firearm evidence and the preparation of reports for legal proceedings in the solution of
cases involving firearms.

Summary

Prior discussion on the current view courts take regarding the admissibility of Forensic Ballistic experts
testimony concerning the identification of a particular weapon the following knowledge will provide the
basics. The field of forensic science recognizes four types of "ballistics", Internal ballistics refers to the
forces, pressure, and ignition that operate on the bullet while still inside the firearm, External ballistics,
describes the flight of a bullet between the firearm muzzle and its impact at target, Terminal ballistics
describe the mechanics of impact on both the projectile and the target, and Forensic ballistics which is the
analysis of bullet and cartridge case evidence and the use of that evidence to link specimens to each other
and to particular weapons. While this paper will attempt to use the term Forensic Ballistics exclusively at
times the term ballistics will be used for short hand. In the world of forensic science a "tool mark" refers
to any mark left on an object by coming into contact with another, typically harder, object. Expert
criminal laboratory technicians examine shell casings and bullets to match identifying marks to a
particular weapon under the assumption that guns leave individually indefinable marks and if necessary
will testify to in court.

The technique of firearm identification involves the expert examining the marks created on a bullet or
shell casings (projectiles). The bullet and shell casing come from the cartridge, which is made up of four
main parts: the bullet, the case, the powder, and the primer. The case is the covering that holds all of the
cartridge components together. The bullet itself is the projectile propelled from the weapon. The powder
sits behind the bullet and is exploded during firing. The primer is the component at the rear of the case
that starts the reaction when the cartridge is fired. The examiner uses a comparison microscope of other
magnification technology to view unique striae left on the projectile.

Ballistics describes the science of gunshots, which can be subdivided into the three branches: (inside the
firearm). Exterior (from muzzle to target) and terminal (target) ballistics. The major task of this
heterogeneous discipline is the reconstruction of events producing a gunshot injury. For the production of
gunshot wounds, specialized tools are needed. It is therefore necessary for the forensics expert to acquire
at least a basic knowledge of firearms and bullets. This chapter explains some of the basic components of
firearms. Interior ballistics deals with the processes inside the weapon from the moment the firing pin hits
the primer to the time the bullet leaves the barrel. Exterior ballistics is concerned with the flight of the
projectile in air from the muzzle to the target. Wound ballistics is the science of the penetration of
biological targets by a missile. The chapter further talks about arrow wounds and explosive injuries.

CHAPTER III
Classification of Firearms
Introduction
 The Firearms Protocol definition refers to firearms technical characteristics and their way of functioning
and does not list or classify the actual type of weapons subject to the protocol. At both national and
international level, the need of firearms classification is acknowledged, for legislative, regulatory and
investigative purposes. A firearm' is usually referred to in a national and domestic context of states,
including the legislative framework for the manufacture transfer, ownership and use of such 'firearms.
This would include private ownership. Whereas, small arm is more commonly used to refer to the weapon
an individual may use and carry in a military context (Parker, Wilson, 2016). There are many ways for
looking at arms and different types of classifications, depending on the criteria applied the level of the
level of lethality; the structure; portability action: technical features, and also on the purpose of
classification for legal, judicial, or technical purposes.

What is the Legal Definition of Firearms?

Legal Definition of Firearms (Legal definition) refers to any handheld or portable weapon, whether a
small arm or light weapon, that expels or is designed to expel a bullet, shot, slug, missile or any projectile,
which is discharged by means of expansive force of gases from burning gunpowder or other form of
combustion or any similar instrument or implement. For purposes of this Act, the barrel, frame or receiver
is considered a firearm. Sec. 3. Par. (1) R. A. No. 10591 Comprehensive Firearms and Ammunition
Regulation Act

Legal Definition of Firearm - "Firearm" or "Arms" as herein used includes rifles, muskets, carbines,
shotgun, revolvers, pistols, and all other deadly weapons from which a bullet, ball, shot or other deadly
missile maybe discharged by means of gunpowder and other explosives. The term also includes air rifles
except such as being of small caliber and limited range used as toys. The barrel of a firearm shall be
considered a complete firearm for all purposes thereof. (Sec. 877, Revised Administrative code and see
also Sec 290 of the National Internal Revenue Code)

What is the Technical Definition of Firearms?

Technical Definition of Firearms - a firearm is an instrument that is used for the propulsion of projectiles
by means of the expansive force of gases of a burning gunpowder.

What is the other Definition of Firearms?

Firearms or Arms include rifles, muskets, carbines, shotgun, pistols, revolvers and all deadly
weapons from which a bullet, shot, a shell or missiles may be discharged by means of gunpowder or other
explosives. The terms also includes air rifles except: those that are small in caliber and usually used as
toys.

What is the minor parts of Firearms?

Minor parts of a firearms refers to the parts of the firearm other than the major parts which are
necessary to effect and complete the action of expelling a projectile by way of combustion, except those
classified as accessories. Sec. 3. Par. (x) R. A. No. 10591 Comprehensive Firearms and Ammunition
Regulation Act"

Types of Firearms

According to used

Small arms refer to firearms intended to be or primarily designed for individual use or that which is
generally considered to mean a weapon intended to be fired from the hand or shoulder, which are not
capable of fully automatic bursts of discharge, Sec. 3. Par. (dd) R. A. No. 10591 Comprehensive Firearms
and Ammunition Regulation Act". such as:
 1. Handgun which is a firearm intended to be fired from the hand, which includes:
i. A pistol which is a hand-operated firearm having a chamber integral with or permanently
aligned with the bore which may be self-loading; and
ii. Revolver which is a hand-operated firearm with a revolving cylinder containing chambers for
individual cartridges.
2. Rifle which is a shoulder firearm or designed to be fired from the shoulder that can discharge a bullet
through a rifled barrel by different actions of loading, which may be classified as lever, bolt, or self-
loading: and
3. Shotgun which is a weapon designed, made and intended to fire a number of ball shots or a single
projectile through a smooth bore by the action or energy from buffing gunpowder

The general classification of firearms can be based on the following criteria:

1 Level of harm they produce

- Lethal-designed with the intent to eventually kill the target
- Non-lethal designed with the intent to scare or incapacitate the target, without killing or
producing major, irreversible injuries.
2 Traditional structure
- Firearms: A firearm is a weapon that fulfils the characteristic of the definition in the
Firearms Protocol, Article 3a. Technically, the firearm is characterized by the action of an
explosive gas or powder to expel a projectile through the barrel.
- Conventional weapons: Conventional weapons are traditionally weapons that are relatively
widely used and designed for military purposes, without being classified as weapons of mass
destruction. The United Nations Register of Conventional Arms includes the following seven
categories of major conventional weapons, plus small arms and light weapons:
 Battle tanks
 Armoured combat vehicles
 Large calibre artillery systems
 Combat aircraft including manned and unmanned aerial vehicles
 Attack helicopters Warships
 Missiles and missile launchers
Non-conventional weapons: Refer to weapons of mass destruction, also known as ABC (atomic,
biological and chemical) or NRBC (nuclear, radiological, biological, chemical) weapons.

3 Portability: Depending on their portability, weapons can be classified in these three categories:
Weapons that can be transported by one person without additional support (small arms), Weapons that
can be transported by a small crew of people (light weapons), Other systems that must be transported with
the help of technical means
4. Physical characteristics, size and support Short or hand-held firearms (handguns) are portable arms
designed to be aimed and fired with the action of one hand, whether or not the weapon has been re-
designed or altered to be aimed and fired differently. Long or shoulder fired firearms (long guns) are
portable weapons designed to be used and fired from the hip or shoulder with the action of both hands.

5. Action of weapon:

Action- refers to the firing system of a firearm, more specifically the physical mechanism through which
cartridges are loaded, locked and extracted as well as the firing frequency when the trigger is actioned.
There are five common types of action related to firearms:
Single shot-Fires a single round from the barrel(s) for every depression of the trigger; requires manual
reloading of the barrel(s) after each shot.

Repeating - Fires a single round from the barrel(s) for every depression of the trigger; requires a repetitive
action for the reloading of the barrel(s) after each shot.

Semi-automatic Fires a single round for every depression. of the trigger, and automatically cycles
between rounds (i.e. is self-loading).

Burst Fires a small set of rounds for every depression of the trigger, and automatically cycles between
rounds with each trigger pull (i.e. is self-loading).

Fully Automatic Fires continually upon a depression of the trigger, until the trigger is released;
automatically cycles between rounds (i.e. is self-loading).

6.Type of firearm For ease of understanding and accessibility this book will explain the most commonly
accepted categories of firearms such as: revolver, pistol, shotgun, rifle, sub-machine gun and machine
gun. In addition, there is a generic "Other firearms" category that includes firearms that either are crafted
or assembled outside production facilities, are modified and converted, are using interchangeable parts or
take advantage of new technologies, such as replica, converted, modular, 3D printed etc.

Common types of Firearms

The most common classification of firearms is done by types, and the most commonly used tool for
firearms identification is the Firearms Reference Table (FRT). The FRT is a computerized database
available online and offline. It was proposed and developed by Canadian Royal Mounted Police and it
was further adopted by INTERPOL as a reference classification tool. Use of the FRT Web is limited to
individuals who have been authorized by the RCMP. Authorized users include members of the police
community, specific Public Agents and approved firearm verifiers.

UNODC adopted a simplified classification in its 2015 study and also in its global illicit arms flow
questionnaire, which is based on the following types:

Revolver
Is a short or hand-held firearm with a revolving cylinder typically of five to nine chambers, manually
loaded with cartridges. As the cylinder rotates into position, the trigger can be pulled, releasing the
hammer firing the cartridge. Expended cartridge cases remain in the cylinder until manually unloaded.

Action: Revolvers are usually repeating firearms. According to the system of operation of the trigger tail,
revolvers can be of double (when the trigger also cocks the hammer) or single action (when the hammer
is cocked manually)
Pistol

Is a short or hand-held firearm designed for semi-automatic operation . The chamber is part of the barrel.
Cartridges are generally loaded into a magazine, which is inserted into the grip. The action of the firearm
feeds the next cartridge and expels the spent round.

Action: single shot, repeating, semi-automatic and automatic pistol.

Shotgun
Is a shoulder-fired long gun with one or two unrified barrels (side-by-side or over configuration), usually
designed to shoot many small projectiles ("shots") rather than a bullet. The calibre of a shotgun is referred
to as the gauge and is usually larger in diameter than other small arms.

Action: Usually single-shot. May also be repeating, or automatic semi-automatic.

Rifle or Carbine
 Is a shoulder-fired long gun, with a series of spiral grooves cut inside the barrel (rifling") imparting spin
to the projectile. Some les have a detachable magazine like the pistols described above, and others have
integral magazines. A carbine resembles a rifle but has a shorter barrel

Action: Single-shot repeating, semi-automatic or fully automatic.

Assault Rifle
Can be considered a subcategory of rifles and represent any of various intermediate-range,
magazine-fed military rifles (such as the AK-47 or M16) that can be set for automatic or semiautomatic
fre (Merriam-Webster)

Action: Semi-automatic or fully automatic.

Sub-machine gun

It is a hand-held, lightweight short barrel machine gun consisting of relatively low-energy

handgun-type cartridges and fired from the hand, hip or shoulder.

Action: Semi-automatic or fully automatic. Where the firing system is automatic, the firearm would be
classified as an automatic pistol or automatic sub-machine gun. Machine gun It is a firearm that is capable
of full automatic firing (more) than one shot without manual reloading, by a single function of the trigger)
and that fires rifle ammunition. It is generally crew- operated (heavy machine gun'), but some forms may
be fired by single individuals (light machine gun'). Most machine guns have the ammunition fed by belts,
although some use magazines.
The above enumerated types cover the large universe of all legal arms. There are, however, others that do
not fall clearly under any of them, either because of their technical characteristics, or because of the
manufacturing process (craft or artisanal production, assembly of kits, modifications, 3D printing, etc).
They are all listed under the category "other".

Other Types of Firearms

In addition to the categories of firearms listed in this Module, this category encompasses various types of
firearms which may overlap with those mentioned but are deserving their own. classification.
Firearms in this last generic category may borrow characteristics from the commonly accepted
category, but their modality of production and/or modification makes them very difficult to be identified
and traced. Weapons in this category also represent a legal challenge, either not being legally covered,
especially in what concerns new technologies, or their transfer and possession is at the edge of the law or
takes advantage of the existing legal loopholes

Craft Production and Rudimentary Arms

An area of concem highlighted by both the small arms survey 2018 and the UNDOC study on
firearms 2015. was that of 'craft weapons'. Essentially, the practice consists of weapons and ammunition
being fabricated by hand in relatively small quantities. Artisanal in nature, they can range from pistols
and shotguns to the more advanced assault rifles, and also include very expensive design weapons used
for example in sport shooting or hunting.
In contrast to the craft or artisanal production, there are also the generically called rudimentary
arms. These arms are generally homemade and are more likely to be found in criminal contexts.
Rudimentary arms are essentially arms manufactured by parts or components that were not originally
designed to be parts of a firearm or made out of parts from other firearms.
Gunsmiths and handcraft production can be found in all regions. For example, the Small Arms
Survey highlighted some previous research carried out. The artisanal firearm industry is especially
widespread and developed in Ghana, with some gunsmiths reportedly able to produce assault rifles'
(Small Arms Survey, 2018). There are various state approaches regarding the handcraft production. While
Ghana is making efforts to forbid these artisanal activities, in Burkina Faso, the state tries to regulate and
record them. The Peshawar district in Pakistan (one of 22 districts in the North-West Frontier Province) is
reportedly home to some 200 workshops producing a wide range of inexpensive small arms, including
revolvers and shotguns' (Small Arms Survey, 2018).
In June 2018, Small Arms Survey released a briefing paper, which explored in some detail the
wholesale market of craft production within Nigeria highlighting the inherent technological limitations of
firearms legislation. The most famous craft production site is in the city of Darra in Pakistan as presented
in the video The Gun Market of Pakistan.

3D Printed Firearms
 An area of concern for policymakers and law enforcement officials is the 3D printed firearm. In
essence, the firearm is manufactured by building layer upon layer of plastic, for example, creating various
complex and solid objects. The Liberator, a single- shot gun, is an example of such technology. Policy
discussions have intensified, at national and international level, around the use of modern technology
such as 3D printed arms, their potential impact on security, and the legal responses to them. In 2016,
Armament research Services explored both the feasibility and capabilities of 3D firearms.

A 2018 3D Printed Gun Report released by All3DP, the world's leading 3D printing magazine,
concludes that the threat of these arms remains rather limited. But they have some qualities that will make
them more attractive to criminals. The material of these arms is difficult to detect by current detectors and
scanners. These firearms are easy to destroy after a crime easy making almost impossible the recovery of
the murder weapon. They are also untraceable. By putting together all these characteristics 3D printed
weapons fulfil all conditions to become the perfect weapons for high profile crimes, once the technology
will advance enough to make them safer and more technologically advanced.

The technological development and the availability of cheap but performance CNC machines
and 3D printers will make the production of 3D firearms far simpler and more difficult to regulate
against. 3D printers became very common and their use covers various fields. They are not per se an
object that requires to be put under control, especially because the real problem is not so much the printer
but the fact that the blueprint for the firearms can be easily and openly accessed through the Internet.

As far as the legal regime for these arms is concerned, there seems to be a gap in both domestic
and international legislation,as in fact, no international legal instruments explicitly refer to them In the
absence of a more specific provision, the definition of illicit manufacturing provided by the Firearms
Protocol can give some first indication. Clearly, 3D printed arms would fall under the scope of this
provision In practice, however, there remains a need to further define and legislate the phenomenon,
especially as regards the issue of downloading or otherwise getting access to the blueprints to actually
produce these arms.

Predictably, states have acted accordingly in addressing these technological challenges. Some
countries have started to try to capture this new phenomenon in its domestic law: In the United States, the
Undetectable Firearms Act of 1988 states that any firearm that cannot be detected by a metal detector is
illegal to manufacture..." In practical terms, 3D printed firearms would need a metal plate inserted.
Additional amendments to renew and expand the legislation have been mooted.

In the United Kingdom, the Firearms Act of 1968 'bans the manufacturing of guns and gun parts
without government approval. Additionally, the 2016 UK Guide on Firearms Licensing Law states that
the manufacture, purchase, sale and possession of 3D printed firearms, ammunition or their component
parts is fully captured by the provisions in section 57(1) of the Firearms."

Unlicensed Copies

The unlicensed copies are encountered in situations when manufacturers either:

 Produce a larger number of firearms that they are allowed to produce under their license;
or they
 Produce firearms, other than those they have a license to produce.

Small Arms Survey estimates that '530,000 to 580,000 military small arms are produced annually
either under licence or as unlicensed copies."
 This is a form of illicit manufacturing. The unlicensed firearms are not registered, and they
usually end up on the illicit market, being sold at a fraction of the price of the original firearm. Lack of
registration or serial number duplication makes these weapons very difficult to trace using the
conventional tracing methods through identification of firearm type, serial number, model and
manufacturer.

Replica and Imitation Firearms

A replica firearm is a device that is manufactured to resemble an existing design of a firearm but
is not intended to fire. Typically, replica firearms are manufactured for firearm collectors, especially
collectors of antique firearms.

An imitation firearm is a device that is not a real firearm, but that was designed to look exactly or
almost exactly like a real firearm (some very realistic toy guns, some moulded guns either in rubber or
metal). In some jurisdictions, imitation firearms are prohibited or are regulated in a similar fashion to
firearms. Although technically unable to produce harm as a result of shooting, both replica and imitation
firearms have the capacity to intimidate since they can easily be mistaken for real firearms. Although they
are not real firearms, due to the reasons outlined above, they are defined and specifically mentioned in
various national legislations.

Deactivated and converted firearms

A deactivated firearm is any firearm that was modified in such a way that it can no longer fire
and expel any form of projectile. Usually, the deactivation process has to be permanent. Because these
deactivated firearms do not fall under the same regulations as the activated firearms, they are often
purchased by criminal organizations who either remove the deactivation systems or convert the weapons
with spare parts and the so reactivated firearms are entering the illicit market. Conversion is a process that
modifies a non-lethal (e.g. blank or gas weapon) into a lethal weapon that is further pushed into the illicit
market.

Modular Firearms Modular weapons are produced with components that are interchangeable in a
way that can change or improve the characteristic of a firearm. In addition, changing essential
components like the barrel, extractor/ejector, firing pin etc. will make ballistic identification extremely
difficult, if not impossible.
One good example in this range is the Glock pistol, which although not conceived as a modular
weapon, bears the modularity characteristics and can be easily transformed from a semi-automatic pistol
into a fully automatic sub-machine gun with 50 or 100 rounds magazine, scope, silencer, shall recovery
system and other modular parts.

Summary

Ballistics identification is a quite challenging task from both theoretical and practical point of view. The
premise underlying firearms and tool mark identification is that each firearm owns its unique tool marks,
resulting in some unique characteristic markings left on the fired projectile and cartridge case. Although
various techniques have been applied to firearm identification, the major problems are still unsolved and
further improvement and development are required. In other words, the ability of extracting useful
features and the intelligently identification is still a major concern. This paper addresses the difficulties
with respect to feature extraction and intelligent ballistics recognition. In this paper, various image
processing techniques are employed for image digitizing and preprocessing the ballistics images. A novel
feature set known as Circle Moment Invariants has been proposed for extracting features in cartridge
images. We utilize two feature sets to characterize the ballistics images. A neural network based
intelligent system is designed for classifying the extracted features of ballistics images. The experimental
results indicate that the proposed approaches and feature criteria are capable of classifying the cartridge
images very efficiently and effectively.

CHAPTER IV
Introduction
There are several different words used to describe ammunition: bullets, shells, projectiles, rounds, shot,
slugs, cartridges, munitions, etc. In reality anything can be used as ammunition, whether it be a stone you
are throwing or words you are using in an argument. In the world of firearms it is most commonly
referred to in the informal context as "ammo." Many people call them bullets, which to some is like nails
on a chalkboard because the correct term for firearms ammunition is "cartridge."
What is the Legal and Technical Definition of Ammunition?
Legal Definition of Ammunition- refers to a complete unfired unit consisting of a bullet, gunpowder,
cartridge case and primer or loaded shell for use in any firearm. Sec. 3. Par. (b) R. A. No. 10591
Comprehensive Firearms and Ammunition Regulation Act
Legal Definition of Ammunition -shall mean loaded shell for rifles, muskets, carbines, shotguns,
revolvers, pistols from which a bullet, ball, shot, shell, or other missiles may be fired by means of
gunpowder or other explosives. The term also includes air rifles as mentioned else were in this code.
(Chapter VIII, sec. 290 of the NIRC and sec. 877 of RAC)
Technical Definition of Ammunition - the term ammunition refers to a group of cartridges or to a single
unit or single cartridges, meaning a complete unfired unit consisting of bullet, cartridge case, gunpowder
and primer, the term may include a single round of ammunition.
What is the Other Definition of Ammunitions?
Ammunition the word ammunition means "loaded shell" for rifles, muskets, shotguns, revolvers, and
pistols from which a ball, bullets, shot, shell or other missiles may be fired by means of gunpowder or
other explosives, the terms also includes ammunitions for air rifles.
General types of ammunition
1. Dummy - it is a replica usually made of hard plastic of alloy. used by weapon instructor, inspector and
repair man when checking the functioning of the firearms.
2. Blank - an ammunition without a bullet containing gunpowder, used for theatrical presentation, film
making and for training of k9 dogs.
3. Live - refers to a complete unfired unit of cartridge, consist of bullet, shell, primer and gunpowder.
Basics of Ammunition
Modern ammunition varies in size, appearance, materials and parts. Rifle ammunition is called cartridges
or rounds. Shotgun ammunition is referred to as shot shells or shells. Ammunition is classified as center
fire or rim fire. It is important to understand the basics of ammunition and ammunition safety. Knowing
the proper ammunition to use will help you become a more successful, ethical hunter.

How Guns Fire

Review how guns fire to prepare for learning the parts of ammunition.

- Cartridge going in chamber

- Cartridge in chamber
- Firing pin forcefully strikes primer
- Primer explodes, ignites powder Gas from burning
- Primer explodes, ignites powder
- Speeding Bullet

CARTRIDGE
- a term use to describe a complete unfired unit consisting of bullet, primer, cartridge case and
gunpowder.
- it is a complete round of ammunition. Made up simply of cartridge case, primer, gunpowder
and bullet.
- A cartridge (also called a round or a shell) is a type of ammunition packaging a bullet or shot,
a propellant substance (usually either smokeless powder or black powder) and a primer
within a metallic, paper, or plastic case that is precisely made to fit within the firing chamber
of a firearm
A cartridge is an assembly consisting of a casing, a propellant, and a bullet that is loaded into a
firearm as ammunition. Cartridges are also called "rounds". Referring to my diagram below,
which I crudely constructed in the Paint program:

 The dark grey section is the bullet. The bullet is the solid mass that is ejected from the muzzle
and into the target when the weapon is fired.
 The light grey section is filled with propellant, usually a powder. Propellant is also sometimes
called the "charge".
 The yellow section is the casing. Contemporary casings are usually made of brass but not
necessarily. Casings hold all of the components of the cartridge together, including itself, as well
as hold the ammunition securely in place until fired.
 The casing can further be broken down into the rim and the primer (the solid yellow section far to
the left of the diagram), but a given cartridge does not necessarily have one or either of them,
depending on certain characteristics of the firearm that it is intended to be loaded into.
Early cartridges were a kit consisting of loose powder and a bullet contained inside of a small paper
pouch, and the kit had to be loaded piece by piece. To load, a gunman had to tear open the paper, pour the
powder into the gun (through either the muzzle or the breech, depending on the design of the gun), drop
the bullet down the muzzle, wad and jam the paper into the muzzle, and finally pack it all together with a
ramrod inserted through the muzzle. Obviously, besides holding the powder and bullet in storage, the
paper had the second purpose of compressing all of the components together inside of the barrel until
fired. Otherwise, the powder and bullet could simply spill right back out of the muzzle. Contemporary
casings perform both of those functions much more simply and efficiently.

Terminology may change depending on what type of round you are actually talking about. For most
people, this may only be the case when comparing pistol and rifle ammunition to shotgun ammunition. In
shotgun ammunition, the casing is called a shell instead. Shotgun rounds often contain multiple
projectiles, which are called shot and sometimes pellets.
"Bullet" is often used to refer to the entire cartridge. While not academically correct, most people
will understand what you are referring to and will not be overly corrective. The only two places that it is
likely to really matter are: in a shop where cartridges are being manufactured to certain specifications; or
on some kind of test in certain states where, even though both terms may answer the question, the more
specific term is the only correct one as far as the proctor is concerned.
Parts of a Cartridge

1. Bullet (define) as a piece of ammunition that is shot using a gun, pistol or rifle. The invention of
bullets revolutionized warfare. Today, bullets are available in a wide range of shapes and sizes, depending
on what purposes they are designed for. Bullets are made of different materials such as lead, jacketed lead
(lead coated with steel or copper alloys). Copper, steel and even bismuth and tungsten. A bullet has three
parts: the tip or head, the ogive or body, and the heel.
Bullet also (define) as a non-metallic, cylindrical projectile propelled from a firearm by means of the
expansive force of gases from burning gunpowder.
Bullet - The projectile typically made of metal containing lead, cylindrical and pointed, that is expelled
from the barrel

2. Cartridge case (define) this is commonly the brass or copper envelope that contains primer powder
and bullets. Casing the container that holds all the components together. The case can be made of brass,
steel, or copper for pistols and rifles. Shotgun "shells" are a plastic case, with the base covered in a thin
brass covering.

3. Gunpowder/propellant/powder charge (define) a low explosive substance that is used as a

propellant in firearms. It burns rapidly and produces a large amount of gas, which produces a pressure
wave inside the gun barrel, sufficient to propel a shot charge, bullet or projectile from a shotgun, rifle, or
artillery piece.
Powder - The gunpowder is an explosive consisting of a powdered mixture of saltpeter, sulfur, and
charcoal.

4. Primer (define) is the upper portion of the primer cup, which is the complete assembly of priming
composition, paper disk, anvil and the vent. It is also a portion of the cartridge case, which consists of
brass or gliding metal cup.
- Is an explosive chemical compound that ignites the gunpowder when struck by a firing pin? Primer may
be placed either in the rim of the case (rim-fire) or in the center of the base of the case (center-fire).
- The ignition components of cartridge primers are used for igniting prominent. A blow from the firing
pin of the firing cup compresses the priming composition to detonate. This detonation produces a flame
which passes through the vent of flesh hole in the cartridge case, igniting the gunpowder.
Parts of a Cartridge
Bullet
Casing
Powder
Primer Full Metal Jacket
Bullet Hollow

Primer Classification of Cartridges

According to Rim Diameter
1. Rimmed -The diameter of the rim is greater than the diameter of the body of the cartridge case. Sample
-38 caliber special and caliber 22
2. Semi-Rimmed - the diameter of the rim is slightly greater than the diameter of the body of the
cartridge case. Sample -.25 Cal. 32 Cal. 38 cal. Super.
3. Rimless - the diameter of the rim is equal to the diameter of the body. Sample-.30 Cal, 9 mm, .40
Cal, .45 cal.
4. Belted - There is protruding metal around the body of the cartridge case near the rim. The design
originated in England around 1910.
5. Rebated-The diameter of the rim is smaller than the body of the cartridge case.
Classification of Cartridge
According to Powder Charge and Muzzle Velocity
1 Low Power - a type of cartridge giving a muzzle velocity of less than 1,850 ft./sec.
2. High Power - a type of cartridge giving a muzzle velocity of
3. High Intensity - a type of cartridge giving a muzzle velocity of over 2,500 ft./sec. 1,900 ft./sec.
Shotgun Cartridge - it refers to a complete unit of unfired cartridge consisting of the case, pellets,
primer, wads, and gun powder. The unit of measurement use in this cartridge is "gauge" ex: 10G,12G
16G 20G, 28 G
Types of Shotgun Cartridge
Buck Shots - consisting of nine round lead ball presence in 12 gauge
Birdshots - consisting of many tiny lead ball presence also in 12 gauge.
Baton Round or Rubber Bullet - this type was developed by hong kong Police having a low powder
charge use for city riots and be fired down ward.
BULLETS
- It is a piece of ammunition that is shot using a gun, pistol or rifle. The invention of bullets
revolutionized warfare. Today, bullets are available in a wide range of shapes and sizes, depending on
what purposes they are designed for.
- Bullets are made of different materials such as lead, jacketed lead (lead coated with steel or copper
alloys), copper, steel and even bismuth and tungsten.
- A bullet has three parts: the tip or head, the ogive or body. and the heel or base.
-It is also define as a non metallic, cylindrical projectile propelled from a firearm by means of the
expansive force of gases from burning gunpowder.
-The bullet is a small piece of metal that makes up the tip of the round. It is the piece of the cartridge that
fires out of the gun. So, what is a bullet made of? It's often made of materials like copper, steel, lead,
polymers, or even rubber
-a metallic or non-metallic cylindrical projectile propelled from a firearm by the expansive force of gasses
produce by the burning gun powder.
-Originated from the French word "boullete" meaning small round ballp
- It may also called "slug" especially in shotgun.
Two General Types of Bullets
1. Lead Bullet - is a type of bullet that is basically composed of lead metal, and are often used in
revolver, pistol and in some low power rifles. Plain Lead Round-nosed bullet Copper-washed orddur
nosed bullet bisw hwob be Federal "Nyclad" "Lubaloy" lead round-nylon coated bullet
2. Jacketed Bullet - is a type of bullet consisting of the regular lead core, coated with a copper alloy in
order to prevent metal fouling in the barrel and is generally used in pistols and other high power guns.
Copper jacketed full-metal-case bullet and cross-section Winchester Silver-tip" nickel-plated copper
jacket bullet Copper plated steel jacketed bullet

Classification of Bullet
Different Types of Bullets
Bullet types based on construction
1. Construction refers to how the bullet is designed to behave after hitting the target. Bullets can be
frangible, non-expanding or expanding.
a. Frangible Bullets
- These bullets break into a number of small pieces o hitting the target. They do not pierce deep into the
target and cause damage close to the surface. Used for shooting small animals.
b. Non-Expanding Bullets - This type of bullets neither break into pieces nor expand, on impact. Non-
expanding bullets pierce the target and pass through the target failing to kill it immediately. It is for this
reason that non. expanding bullets are banned for use in hunting medium for large sized animals in the
U.S.
c. Expanding Bullets - These bullets expand on hitting the target and come in wide varieties. These
bullets are used for hunting large animals, as they cause immediate death of the animal. The purpose of
using these bullets is to kill the animal as soon as possible by causing damage to organs such as the heart.
Bullet Types Based on Purpose
a. Target Bullets - These are meant to be used for shooting targets from a greater distance, due to such
that they have a high level of accuracy. Due to this reason, close attention is paid to the weight and
dimensional tolerances of these bullets. These bullets come in different shapes and with different tips.
These are generally high velocity bullets that are fired at speeds that are anywhere around 2500 to 3500
feet per second. Some examples are Lapua Scenar and Hornady A-max. There are no legal restrictions on
the purchase of these bullets
b. Varmint Bullets - The purpose of these bullets is to shoot small game animals such as rabbits or small
species of birds such as crows. These expanding bullets are so designed that they split into two on hitting
the target. One needs special permission to purchase these bullets due to legal restrictions imposed on
their purchase. Some examples of varmint bullets are Hornady V-max and 0.204 Ruger. These bullets are
fired with velocities that reach around 3000-4000 feet per second.
c. Hunting Bullets - These bullets are also meant for hunting smaller animals. like wild goats. However,
these differ from the varmint bullets in the fact that these are designed to expand on hitting the target or
game. This effect is termed as 'mushrooming'. It is also illegal to purchase these bullets without special
permission. These bullets may be round or pointed in shape and their property of expanding on hitting,
leads to immediate death of the animal. These bullets can be fired at velocities ranging from 2000 feet to
3000 feet per second.
d. Premium Bullets -The purpose of these bullets is to shoot larger game animals and are similar to
hunting bullets in all but one aspect: a thicker copper jacket and an additional solid section. These
additional features ensure that the premium bullets don't split into pieces even after hitting hard targets.
the Classified under expanding bullets, it is illegal to purchase these bullets without a proper license.
Nosler Partition an example of premium bullets that are designed to hit t target with a velocity of 2000-
3000 feet per second. - prvi partizan.
e. The Grom Bullet - Another type of expanding bullet, the GROM bullet is a product of the Serbian
ammunition company Prvi Partizan. The unique feature of this bullet is its core made of soft lead, the
shape of which gets altered surrounding copper jacket to spread like flower petals. The velocity of the
GROM bullet is anything between 2000-3000 feet per second. The purchase of these bullets are restricted.
on hitting the target causing the 30 Grom 170gr ibis
f. The Naturalism Bullet - The problem with lead bullets, such as the GROM bullet, is that lead is a
toxic metal and the residual lead from these bullets would adversely affect the environment in the long
run. Thus came the need for bullets that did not have lead in them. This problem was solved by the
Naturalis bullet that came with a polymer tip and was developed by the Finnish company Lapua. The
velocity of the Naturalis bullet is anything between 2000 to 3000 feet. The purchase of the bullets are
restricted
g. Full Metal Jacket Bullets- Full metal jacket bullets are not suitable for shooting game. These bullets
are used for loading military rifles and are the type of bullets allowed to be used during warfare where the
use of expanding bullets is strictly prohibited. There are no restrictions on the purchase of these bullets.
Bullet Types Based on Shape
a. Flat Point Bullets - These bullets have a flat nose which means more lead exposed at the tip, which
ensures better expansion.
b. Round Nose Bullets These bullets have a round shaped nose that is blunt. These bullets are more
inclined to travel in a straight line.
c. Spitzer Bullets - These bullets are characterized by a pointed nose and a flat base, which reduces air
drag, thus increasing the velocity of the bullet. However, such a design is not suitable for expanding
bullets. 000000
d. Boat-tail Spitzer Bullets The characteristic features of these bullets are the pointed tip and the tapered
base. The streamlined shape reduces air drag and makes these bullets the best choice for long range
shooting.
Ammunition of different fire arms
Parts of a Shotgun Shell - A shotgun shell has five components
CALIBER .22 AMMUNITION
M16 riffle AMMUNITION
Revolver Cal 38. AMMUNITION

DIFFERENT CLASSIFICATION OF AMMUNITION

Classification of Cartridge According to the Location of Primer
1. Pin Fire Cartridge - this type of cartridge has a in extends radially through the head of the cartridge
case into the primer. This type is obsolete and no longer used.
2. Center Fire Cartridge - has a primer located in the center of the base. Center- fire
- This type of cartridge the primer is located at the center or in the middle position of head of the head of
the cartridge.
3. The rim-fire cartridge - has no noticeable primer. Instead, the priming compound is placed and spun
into the case rim. When the rim is struck by the fring pin, the priming compound explodes, igniting the
powder.
- This type of cartridge the priming mixture is located in the cavity of the rim. It is presence in 22 cal.
pistol and revolver. Firing Pin Contacts "RIM of Case

Classification of Cartridge According To Powder Charge And Muzzle Velocity

Low Power - a type of cartridge giving a muzzle velocity of less than 1,850 ft./sec.
High Power - a type of cartridge giving a muzzle velocity of 1,900 ft./sec.
High Intensity-a type of cartridge giving a muzzle velocity of over 2,500 ft./sec.
Shotgun Cartridge-it refers to a complete unit of unfired cartridge consisting of the case, pellets, primer,
wads, and gun powder The unit of measurement use in this cartridge is "gauge examples: 10 G, 12 G, 16
G, 20 G 28 G.
Parts Of Shotgun Cartridge
1. Paper/Plastic tube
2. Metal case
3. Primer
4. Pellets/Shots
5. Filler wads
6. Gun powder/propellant/powder charge
7. Closing wads

Types of Ammunition According to Use

1. Ball Bullets - These that have soft cores inside a jacket and are used against personnel only.
Advantages of Ball Bullets Ball

 ball is easy to acquire in bulk. Depending on the special, they are often sold in quality military
type ammo cans making it easier to transport, or sealed in the 'sardine can format which makes it
easier to store long term.
 Ball does have greater penetration than premium defensive and exotic loads. In for civilian self-
defense or LE applications, the use of premium defensive loads is a must under most
circumstances. We want and need penetration to be limited. In a calamity situation, your ammo
may very well need to perforate vehicles or other hard obstacles you encounter while moving to a
safer area (a .30-06 ball in a M1 Garand works great for that), or when vehicles have invaded
your property and are in formation against you. If there is a mob of people coming to harm my
family, I want my shots to count for more than one per customer if you get my drift
 The quality ball ammo is ultimately the most reliably functioning ammo. It is what every modern
semi-automatic weapons system, nifle or handgun designed for defense or combat was designed
to run on. Premium defensive ammo was developed long after the design any of the current
weapons or their operating systems. If you are pondering the purchase of an AR-15, get it with a
1-in-9 inch barrel twist rate. It handles both 55 and 62-grain ball very well.

2. Armor Piercing Bullet - Those that have steel cores and are fired against vehicles and other armor
targets in general. AMMOLAND

 An Armor-Piercing (AP) shell is a type of ammunition designed to penetrate armor. From the
1860s to 1950s, a major application of armor-piercing projectiles was to defeat the thick armor
carried on many warships. From the 1920s onwards, armor-piercing weapons were required for
 anti-tank missions. "Shots" and "shells" are typicaty artillery projectiles, and are used to defeat
heavily armored targets such as tanks, bunkers and armored warships. Projectiles smaller than
20mm are typically known as "armor-piercing ammunition", and are intended for lightly-
armored targets such as body armor, bulletproof glass and other protection, or for use as an anti-
material round.
 An armor-piercing shell must withstand the shock of punching through armor plating. Shells
designed for this purpose have a greatly strengthened case with a especially hardened and shaped
nose, and a much smaller bursting charge. Some smaller-caliber AP shells have an inert filling or
incendiary charge in place of the HE bursting charge The AP shell is now little used in naval
warfare, as modern warships have little or no armor protection, but it remains the preferred round
in anti-tank warfare, as it has a greater "first- hit kill probability than a high explosive anti-tank
(HEAT) round, especially against a target with composite armor, and because of higher muzzle
velocity, is also more accurate than a HEAT round.
 Armor Piercing Shell, is a type of ammunition designed to penetrate armor and detonate. They
are generally used against body armor, vehicle armor, concrete, tanks and other defenses,
depending on the caliber of the firearms.
 Shells designed for this purpose had a greatly strengthened case with a especially hardened and
shaped nose and a much smaller bursting charge. Some smaller caliber AP shells have an inert
filling, or incendiary charge in place of the HE bursting charge.
 The most widely used armor piercing bullets in the world are made of a hardened steel, tungsten-
carbide, or depleted uranium penetrator enclosed within a softer material, such as copper or
aluminum. The depleted uranium rounds, for instance, take advantage of their high-density
material, designed to retain its shape and carry the maximum possible amount of energy as deep
as possible into the target.

3. Incendiary Bullet - Those that certain mixture, such as other material, that can be set on fire
by impact. They are used against the targets that will readily born such as aircrafts or gasoline
depots
Incendiary ammunition - a firearm ammunition containing a compound that burns rapidly and
causes fires. These bullets are made with an explosive or flammable mixture in the tip that is
designed to ignite on contact with a target. The intent is to ignite fuel or munitions in the target
area, thereby adding to the destructive power of the bullet itself.
4.Tracer Bullets - Those that contain compound as its base which is set on fire when the bullet is
projected. The flash of smoke from this burning permits the flight of the bullets to be seen, especially at
night time this type of bullet is primarily used for target acquisition.

 These have a hollow back, filled with a flare material Usually this is a mixture of magnesium
metal, a per chlorate, and strontium salts to yield a bright red color, although other materials
providing other colors have also sometimes been used. Tracer material burns out after a certain
amount of time. Such ammunition is useful to the shooter as a means of learning how to point
shoot moving targets with rifles. This type of round is also used by all branches of the United
States military in combat environments as a signalling device to friendly forces. Normally it is
loaded at a four to one ratio with ball ammunition and is intended to show where you are firing so
friendly forces can engage the target as well. The flight characteristics of tracer rounds differ
from normal bullets due to their lighter weight.
 5. Explosive Fragmentary - Those type of bullets that contain a highly charged explosive because of
their small size, it is difficult to make a fuze that will work reliably in small arms ammunition.

 Similar to the incendiary bullet, this type of projectile is designed to explode upon hitting a hard
surface, preferably the bone of the intended target. Not to be mistaken for cannon shells or
grenades with fuse devices, these bullets have only a cavity filled with a small amount of low
explosive depending on the velocity and deformation upon impact to detonate. Exploding bullets
have been used on various aircraft machine guns and on anti materiel rifles. Are one of 6 types of
craftable ammunition made from Empty Bullets, which are sold by Arms Dealer after Hard mode
has been enabled. These bullets detonate upon contact with an enemy or terrain, causing small
splash damage, and knockback, to all enemies caught within the blast radius, even through walls.
Cartridge case

- This is commonly the brass or copper envelope that contains primer powder and bullets.
- A cylindrical, usually metal casing capable of being loaded with an explosives charge and
often also a bullet.
- A cartridge without a bullet is called a blank. One that is completely inert (contains no active
primer and no propellant) is called a dummy. In popular use, the term "bullet" is often
misused to refer to a complete cartridge.
Cartridge Case - is a metallic or non-metallic tubular container usually of brass (70% copper,
30% zinc) designed to unite the bullet, primer and the gun powder into one unit. It is also known
as shell or case.
Cartridge cases - are most commonly made of brass, although steel is also widely used, and
cases for shotgun pellets are made of brass and cardboard. The cases of most military rifles and
machine guns have a bottleneck shape, allowing a small-calibre bullet to be fitted.

Function of Cartridge Case

1. It locates the bullet properly relative to the bore of the firearm.
2. It is used to carry the means of ignition.
3. It provides gas seals at the breach against an unwanted scape of propellant gas upon firing.
4. Serve as the water proof container for the propellant.
5. Acts as insulator between the propellant and the hot wall of chamber in rapid firing.
Parts of Cartridge
1. Base- the bottom portion of the cartridge case which contains the head stamp.
2. Rim- is the part of cartridge case designed to limit the forward movement of the cartridge to the
chamber.
3. Extracting Groove- is the circular groove near the rim designed for withdrawal of the case from the
chamber.
4. Primer Pocket - is that part of cartridge case which holds the primer in place.
5. Body -is the cylindrical part of the shell which houses the gun powder.
6. Shoulder - the part of case which support the neck of the cartridge it is evident in the bottle neck type.
7. Cannelure - is a cylindrical groove in outer surface of the shell designed to prevent the bullet from
being push down to the powder charge.
8. Neck - is that part of the shell which is actually occupied by the bullet.
9. Crimp- is the cylindrical groove on the mouth of the shell designed to hold the bullet and prevent it
from being pull out from the shell.
10. Vent or Flash holes - is the hole at the bottom of the primer pocket designed as a passage of the
ignition of the primer to the powder charge.
Types of Cartridge
According to Shape
GUNPOWDER
Gunpowder/propellant/powder charge (define) a low-explosive substance that is used as a propellant
in firearms. It burns rapidly and produces a large amount of gas, which produces a pressure wave inside
the gun barrel, sufficient to propel a shot charge, bullet or projectile from a shotgun, rifle, or artillery
piece.
Gunpowder -any of the various powder used in firearms as propellant charge.
Powder- The gunpowder is an explosive consisting of a powdered mixture of saltpeter, sulfur, and
charcoal. It also as commonly used term for the propellant in a cartridge or shot shell.
Pressure -in a firearm, the force developed by the expanding. gasses generated by the combustion of the
propellant.
Types of Gunpowder
1. Black powder- consists of the jet black and rather shiny grains. Although black powder has been in
used for about six centuries, and although methods of manufactured are naturally led to greater efficiency
in action, its composition
has remained practically the same in all countries .
2. Smokeless Powder -a mixture of nitrocellulose parts, nitroglycerine 35 parts and Vaseline 5 parts.
These substances are almost entirely smokeless in action. They are all given the generic term of nitro
powders and legion in number. All nitro powders used 2. in rifles, pistols and revolvers are a gelatinized
powder that is they are made by forming dough into sticks or grains. The identification of partially burnt
powder grains may become a matter vital importance, since such grains maybe found around the entrance
hole of a wound, and it will obviously help if the type of powder can be identified from these unborn
grains.
Gunpowder, also known as black powder, is the earliest known chemical explosive. It is a
mixture of sulfur, charcoal, and potassium nitrate (saltpeter). The sulfur and charcoal act as fuels and the
saltpeter is an oxidizer. Because of its burning properties and the amount of heat and gas volume that it
generates, gunpowder has been widely used as a propellant in firearms and as a pyrotechnic composition
in fireworks. Formulations used in blasting rock (such as in quarrying) are called blasting powder.
Gunpowder is mainly used in older guns now because the propellants used today are too powerful and
could break the already fragile barrels.
Gunpowder was invented in the 9th century in China, and the earliest record of a written formula
for gunpowder appears in the 11th century Song dynasty text, Wujing Zongyao. This discovery led to the
invention of fireworks and the earliest gunpowder weapons in China. In the centuries following the
Chinese discovery, gunpowder weapons began appearing in the Muslim world, Europe, and India. The
technology spread from China through the Middle East or Central Asia, and then into Europe. The earliest
Western accounts of gunpowder appear in texts written by English philosopher Roger Bacon in the 13th
century.
Gunpowder is assigned the UN number UN0027 and has a hazard class of 1.10. It has a flash
point of approximately 427- 464 °C (801-867 °F). The specific flash point may vary based on the specific
composition of the gunpowder. Gunpowder's specific gravity is 1.70-1.82 (mercury method) or 1.92-2.08
(pycnometer) and it has a pH of 6.0-8.0.
Gunpowder is classified as a low explosive because of its relatively slow decomposition rate and
consequently low brisance.

 Low explosives deflagrate (ie., burn) at subsonic speeds, whereas high explosives detonate,
producing a supersonic wave.
 Gunpowder's burning rate increases with pressure, so it will burst containers but just burns in the
open.
 Ignition of the powder packed behind a bullet must generate enough pressure to force it from the
muzzle at high speed, but not enough to rupture the gun barrel.
 Gunpowder thus makes a good propellant, but is less suitable for shattering rock or fortifications.
 Gunpowder was widely used to fill artillery shells and in mining and civil engineering to blast
rock until the second half of the 19th century, when the first high explosives (nitro- explosives)
were devised and formulated.
 Gunpowder is no longer used in modern explosive military warheads, nor is it used as main
explosive in mining operations due to its cost relative to that of newer alternatives such as
ammonium nitrate/fuel oil (ANFO).
 Black powder is still used as a delay element in various munitions where its slow-burning
properties are valuable.
Composition and Characteristics Black Powder
The term black powder was coined in the late 19th century, primarily in the United States, to
distinguish prior gunpowder formulations from the new smokeless powders and semi-smokeless
powders, in cases where these are not referred to as cordite. Semi-smokeless powders featured bulk
volume properties that approximated black powder, but had significantly reduced amounts of smoke
and combustion products. Smokeless powder has different burning properties (pressure vs. time) and
can generate higher pressures and work per gram. This can rupture older weapons designed for black
powder. Smokeless powders ranged in color from brownish tan to yellow to white. Most of the bulk
semi- smokeless powders ceased to be manufactured in the 1920s.
Black Powder Is A Granular Mixture of:

 a nitrate, typically potassium nitrate (KNO,), which supplies oxygen for the reaction;
 charcoal, which provides carbon and other fuel for the reaction, simplified as carbon (C);
  sulfur (S), which, while also serving as a fuel, lowers the temperature required to ignite the
mixture, thereby increasing the rate of combustion.
Potassium nitrate is the most important ingredient in terms of both bulk and function because the
combustion process releases oxygen from the potassium nitrate, promoting the rapid burning of the other
ingredients. To reduce the likelihood of accidental ignition by static electricity, the granules of modern
black powder are typically coated with graphite, which prevents the build-up of electrostatic charge.
Charcoal does not consist of pure carbon; rather, it consists of partially pyrolyzed cellulose, in which the
wood is not completely decomposed. Carbon differs from ordinary charcoal. Whereas charcoal's
autoignition temperature is relatively low, carbon's is much greater. Thus, a black powder composition
containing pure carbon would burn similarly to a match head, at best.
The current standard composition for the black powders that are manufactured by pyrotechnicians was
adopted as long ago as 1780. Proportions by weight are 75% potassium nitrate (known as saltpeter or
saltpetre), 15% softwood charcoal, and 10% sulfur. These ratios have varied over the centuries and by
country, and can be altered somewhat depending on the purpose of the powder. For instance, power
grades of black powder, unsuitable for use in firearms but adequate for blasting rock in quarrying
operations, are called blasting powder rather than gunpowder with standard proportions of 70% nitrate,
14% charcoal, and 16% sulfur; blasting powder may be made with the cheaper sodium nitrate substituted
for potassium nitrate and proportions may be as low as 40% nitrate, 30% charcoal, and 30% sulfur. In
1857, Lammot du Pont solved the main problem of using cheaper sodium nitrate formulations when he
patented DuPont "B" blasting powder. After manufacturing grains from press-cake in the usual way, his
process tumbled the powder with graphite dust for 12 hours. This formed a graphite coating each grain
that reduced its ability to absorb moisture. on
Neither the use of graphite nor sodium nitrate was new. Glossing gunpowder corns with graphite was
already an accepted technique in 1839, and sodium nitrate-based blasting powder had been made in Peru
for many years using the sodium nitrate mined at Tarapacá (now in Chile). Also, in 1846, two plants were
built in south-west England to make blasting powder using this sodium nitrate. The idea may well have
been brought from Peru by Cornish miners returning home after completing their contracts. Another
suggestion is that it was William Lobb, the planthunter, who recognised the possibilities of sodium nitrate
during his travels in South America. Lammot du Pont would have known about the use of graphite and
probably also knew about the plants in south-west England. In his patent he was careful to state that his
claim was for the combination of graphite with sodium nitrate-based powder, rather than for either of the
two individual technologies.
French war powder in 1879 used the ratio 75% saltpeter, 12.5% charcoal, 12.5% sulfur. English war
powder in 1879 used the ratio 75% saltpeter, 15% charcoal, 10% sulfurThe British Congreve rockets used
62.4% saltpeter, 23.2% charcoal and 14.4% sulfur, but the British Mark VII gunpowder was changed to
65% saltpeter, 20% charcoal and 15% sulfur. The explanation for the wide variety in formulation relates
to usage. Powder used for rocketry can use a slower burn rate since it accelerates the projectile for a much
longer time whereas powders for weapons such as flintlocks, cap-locks, or matchlocks need a higher burn
rate to accelerate the projectile in a much shorter distance. Cannons usually used lower burn rate powders,
because most would burst with higher burn rate powders.

Serpentine
The original dry-compounded powder used in 15th-century Europe was known as "Serpentine", either a
reference to Satan or to a common artillery piece that used it. The ingredients were ground together with a
mortar and pestle, perhaps for 24 hours, resulting in a fine flour. Vibration during transportation could
cause the components to separate again, requiring remixing in the field. Also if the quality of the saltpeter
was low (for instance if it was contaminated with highly hygroscopic calcium nitrate), or if the powder
was simply old (due to the mildly hygroscopic nature of potassium nitrate), in humid weather it would
need to be re-dried. The dust from "repairing" powder in the field was a major hazard.
Loading cannons or bombards before the powder-making advances of the Renaissance was a skilled art.
Fine powder loaded haphazardly or too tightly would burn incompletely or too slowly Typically, the
breech-loading powder chamber in the rear of the piece was filled only about half full, the serpentine
powder neither too compressed nor too loose, a wooden bung pounded in to seal the chamber from the
barrel when assembled, and the projectile placed on. A carefully determined empty space was necessary
for the charge to burn effectively. When the cannon were fired through the touchhole, turbulence from the
initial surface combustion caused the rest of the powder to be rapidly exposed to the flame. The advent of
much more powerful and easy to use corned powder changed this procedure, but serpentine was used with
older guns into the 17th century.

Corning
For gunpowder to explode effectively, the combustible ingredients must be reduced to the smallest
possible particle sizes, and be as thoroughly mixed as possible. Once mixed, however, for better results in
a gun, makers discovered that the final product should be in the form of individual dense grains that
spread the fire quickly from grain to grain, much as straw or twigs catch fire more quickly than a pile of
sawdust.
Primarily for safety reasons, size reduction and mixing is done while the ingredients are damp,
usually with water. After 1800, instead of forming grains by hand or with sieves, the damp mill- cake was
pressed in molds to increase its density and extract the liquid, forming press-cake. The pressing took
varying amounts of time, depending on conditions such as atmospheric humidity. The hard, dense product
was broken again into tiny pieces, which were separated with sieves to produce a uniform product for
each purpose: coarse powders for cannons, finer grained powders for muskets, and the finest for small
hand guns and priming. Inappropriately fine-grained powder often caused cannons to burst before the
projectile could move down the barrel, due to the high initial spike in pressure. Mammoth powder with
large grains, made for Rodman's 15-inch cannon, reduced the pressure to only 20 percent as high as
ordinary cannon powder would have produced. In the mid-19th century, measurements were made
determining that the burning rate within a grain of black powder (or a tightly packed mass) is about 0.20
fps, while the rate of ignition propagation from grain to grain is around 30 fps, over two orders of
magnitude faster.

Modern Types
Modern corning first compresses the fine black powder meal into blocks with a fixed density (1.7
g/cm³) In the United States, gunpowder grains were designated F (for fine) or C (for coarse). Grain
diameter decreased with a larger number of Fs and increased with a larger number of Cs, ranging from
about 2 mm for 7F to 15 mm for 7C. Even larger grains were produced for artillery bore diameters greater
than about 17 cm (6.7 in). The standard DuPont Mammoth powder developed by Thomas Rodman and
Lammot du Pont for use during the American Civil War had grains averaging 0.6 inches diameter, with
edges rounded in a glazing barrel. Other versions had grains the size of golf and tennis balls for use in 20-
inch (50-cm) Rodman guns. In 1875 DuPont introduced Hexagonal powder for large artillery, which was
pressed using shaped plates with a small center core about 1.5 inches diameter, like a wagon wheel nut,
the center hole widened as the grain burned. By 1882 German makers also produced hexagonal grained
powders of a similar size for artillery.
By the late 19th century manufacturing focused on standard grades of black powder from Fg
used in large bore rifles and shotguns, through FFg (medium and small-bore arms such as muskets and
fusils), FFFg (small-bore rifles and pistols), and FFFFg (extreme small bore, short pistols and most
commonly for priming flintlocks). A coarser grade for use in military artillery blanks was designated A-1.
These grades were sorted on a system of screens with oversize retained on a mesh of 6 wires per inch, A-
1 retained on 10 wires per inch, Fg retained on 14, FFg on 24, FFFg on 46, and FFFFg on 60. Fines
designated FFFFFg were usually reprocessed to minimize explosive dust hazardsIn the United Kingdom,
the main service gunpowders were classified RFG (rifle grained fine) with diameter of one or two
millimeters and RLG (rifle grained large) for grain diameters between two and six millimeters.
Gunpowder grains can alternatively be categorized by mesh size: the BSS sieve mesh size, being the
smallest mesh size, which retains no grains. Recognized grain sizes are Gunpowder G 7, G 20, G 40, and
G 90. Owing to the large market of antique and replica black-powder firearms in the US, modern
gunpowder substitutes like Pyrodex, Triple Seven and Black Mag3 pellets have been developed since the
1970s. These products, which should not be confused with smokeless powders, aim to produce less
fouling (solid residue), while maintaining the traditional volumetric measurement system for charges
Claims of less corrosiveness of these products have been controversial however. New cleaning products
for black- powder guns have also been developed for this market.

Other Types of Gunpowder

Besides black powder, there are other historically important types of gunpowder. Brown
gunpowder is cited as composed of 79% nitre, 3% sulfur, and 18% charcoal per 100 of dry powder, with
about 2% moisture. Prismatic Brown Powder is a large-grained product the Rottweil Company introduced
in 1884 in Germany, which was adopted by the British Royal Navy shortly thereafter. The French navy
adopted a fine, 3.1 millimeter, not prismatic grained product called Slow Burning Cocoa (SBC) or "cocoa
powder". These brown powders reduced burning rate even further by using as little as 2 percent sulfur and
using charcoal made from rye straw that had not been completely charred, hence the brown color.
Lesmok Powder was a product developed by DuPont in 1911 one of several semi-smokeless
products in the industry containing a mixture of black and nitrocellulose powder. It was sold to
Winchester and others primarily for 22 and .32 small calibers. Its advantage was that it was believed at
the time to be less corrosive than smokeless powders then in use. It was not understood in the U.S. until
the 1920s that the actual source of corrosion was the potassium chloride residue from potassium chlorate
sensitized primers. The bulkier black powder fouling better disperses primer residue. Failure to mitigate
primer corrosion by dispersion caused the false impression that nitrocellulose-based powder caused
corrosion. Lesmok had some of the bulk of black powder for dispersing primer residue, but somewhat
less total bulk than straight black powder, thus requiring less frequent bore cleaning. It was last sold by
Winchester in 1947. Sulfur-Free Gunpowder Burst barrel of a muzzle loader pistol replica, which was
loaded with nitrocellulose powder instead of black powder and couldn't withstand the higher pressures of
the modern propellant
The development of smokeless powders, such as cordite, in the late 19th century created the need
for a spark-sensitive priming charge, such as gunpowder. However, the sulfur content of traditional
gunpowders caused corrosion problems with Cordite Mk I and this led to the introduction of a range of
sulfur-free gunpowders of varying grain sizes. They typically contain 70.5 parts of saltpeter and 29.5
parts of charcoal. Like black powder, they were produced in different grain sizes. In the United Kingdom,
the finest grain was known as sulfur-free mealed powder (SMP). Coarser grains were numbered as sulfur-
free gunpowder (SFG n): 'SFG 12', 'SFG 20', SFG 40' and 'SFG 90', for example; where the number
represents the smallest BSS sieve mesh size, which retained no grains.
Sulfur's main role in gunpowder is to decrease the ignition temperature. A sample reaction for
sulfur-free gunpowder would be 6 KNO3+ C7H403 K2CO3 + 4 CO2 + 2 H2O + 3 N2
Combustion Characteristics
A simple, commonly cited, chemical equation for the combustion of black powder is 2 KNO3+S+
3 C→ K2S+ N2 + 3 CO2.
A balanced, but still simplified, equation is 10 KNO3+3S+8 C→ 2 K2CO3+3 K2SO4 + 6 CO2 +
5 N2.
Although charcoal's chemical formula varies, it can be summed up by its empirical formula:
C,H,O. Therefore, a more accurate equation of the decomposition of regular black powder with sulfur is:
6 KNO, +C,H,O+2S-K,CO, + K₂SO, +KS + 4 CO₂ + 2 CO +2H₂O+3 N₂
Black powder without sulfur gives: 10 KNO, + 2 C,H,O 5 K,CO, +4 CO,+5 CO +4 H,O +5 N,
However, gunpowder does not burn as a single reaction, so the byproducts are not easily
predicted. One study showed that it produced (in order of descending quantities) 55.91% solid products:
potassium carbonate, potassium sulfate, potassium sulfide, sulfur, potassium nitrate, potassium
thiocyanate, carbon, ammonium carbonate and 42.98% gaseous products: carbon dioxide, nitrogen,
carbon monoxide, hydrogen sulfide, hydrogen, methane, 1.11% water.
Black powder made with less-expensive and more plentifu sodium nitrate (in appropriate
proportions) works just as well but is more hygroscopic than powders made from potassium nitrate
popularly known as saltpeter. Because corned black powder grains made with saltpeter are less affected
by moisture in the air, they can be stored unsealed without degradation by humidity. Muzzleloaders have
been known to fire after hanging on a wall for decades in a loaded state, provided they remained dry. By
contrast, black powder made with sodium nitrate must be kept sealed to remain stable,
Gunpowder contains 3 megajoules per kilogram and contains its own oxidant. For comparison,
the specific energy of TNT is 4.7 megajoules per kilogram, and the specific energy of gasoline is 47.2
megajoules per kilogram (though gasoline requires an oxidant, so an optimized gasoline and O2 mixture
contains 10.4 megajoules per kilogram). Gunpowder is a low explosive, so it does not detonate but rather
deflagrates. Since it contains its own oxidizer and additionally burns faster under pressure, its combustion
is capable of bursting containers such as shell, grenade, or improvised "pipe bomb" or "pressure cooker"
casings to form shrapnel.
Advantages
In quarrying, high explosives are generally preferred for shattering rock. However, because of its
low brisance, black powder causes fewer fractures and results in more usable stone compared to other
explosives, making black powder useful for blasting monumental stone such as granite and marble. Black
powder is well suited for blank rounds, signal flares, burst charges, and rescue-line launches. Black
powder is also used in fireworks for lifting shells, in rockets as fuel, and in certain special effects.
Disadvantages
 Black powder has a low energy density compared to modern "smokeless powders, and thus to
achieve high energy loadings, large amounts of black powder are needed with heavy projectiles. Black
powder also produces thick smoke as a byproduct, which in military applications may give a soldier's
location away to an enemy observer and may also impair aiming for additional shots.
Combustion converts less than half the mass of black powder to gas. The rest ends up as a thick
layer of soot inside the barrel. In addition to being a nuisance, the residue from burnt black powder is
hygroscopic and with the addition of moisture absorbed from the air, this residue forms a caustic
substance. The soot contains potassium oxide or sodium oxide that turns into potassium hydroxide, or
sodium hydroxide, which corrodes wrought iron or steel gun barrels. Black powder arms must be well
cleaned both inside and out to remove the residue. The matchlock musket or pistol (an early gun ignition
system), as well as the flintlock would often be unusable in wet weather, due to powder in the pan being
exposed and dampened. Because of this unreliability, soldiers carrying muskets, known as musketeers,
were armed with additional weapons such as swords or pikes. The bayonet was developed to allow the
musket to be used as a pike, thus eliminating the need for the soldier to carry a secondary weapon.
Transportation
The United Nations Model Regulations on the Transportation of Dangerous Goods and national
transportation authorities, such as United States Department of Transportation, have classified gunpowder
(black powder) as a Group A: Primary explosive substance for shipment because it ignites so easily.
Complete manufactured devices containing black powder are usually classified as Group D: Secondary
detonating substance, or black powder, or article containing secondary detonating substance, such as
firework, class D model rocket engine, etc., for shipment because they are harder to ignite than loose
powder. As explosives, they all fall into the category of Class 1.
Other Uses
Besides its use as an explosive, gunpowder has been occasionally employed for other purposes;
after the Battle of Aspern -Essling (1809), the surgeon of the Napoleonic Army Larrey, lacking salt,
seasoned a horse meat bouillon for the wounded under his care with gunpowder. It was also used for
sterilization in ships when there was no alcohol.
Jack Tars (British sailors) used gunpowder to create tattoos when ink wasn't available, by
pricking the skin and rubbing the powder into the wound in a method known as traumatic tattooing.
Christian Huygens experimented with gunpowder in 1673 in an early attempt to build an internal
combustion engine, but he did not succeed. Modern attempts to recreate his invention were similarly
unsuccessful.
Fireworks use gunpowder as lifting and burst charges, although sometimes other more powerful
compositions are added to the burst charge to improve performance in small shells or provide a louder
report. Most modern firecrackers no longer contain black powder.
Beginning in the 1930s, gunpowder or smokeless powder was used in rivet guns, stun guns for
animals, cable splicers and other industrial construction tools. The "stud gun" drove nails or screws into
solid concrete, a function not possible with hydraulic tools. See powder-actuated tool. Shotguns have
been used to eliminate persistent material rings in operating rotary kilns (such as those for cement, lime,
phosphate, etc.) and clinker in operating fumaces, and commercial tools make the method more reliable.
 Near London in 1853, Captain Shrapnel demonstrated a method for crushing gold-bearing ores
by firing them from a cannon into an iron chamber, and "much satisfaction was expressed by all present".
He hoped it would be useful on the goldfields of California and Australia. Nothing came of the invention,
as continuously- operating crushing machines that achieved more reliable combination were already
coming into use.
PRIMER
Primer-Is the upper portion of the primer cup, which is the complete assembly of priming composition,
paper disk, anvil and the vent. It is also a portion of the cartridge case, which consists of brass or gliding
metal cup. It is also the ignition system of the cartridge containing highly sensitive chemical compound
that would easily ignite or burst into flame stuck by firing pin. It is also the ignition components of
cartridge primers are used for igniting prominent. A blow from the firing pin of the firing cup compresses
the priming composition to detonate. This detonation produces a flame which passes through the vent of
flesh hole in the cartridge case, igniting the gunpowder.

Composition of a Primer
1. Potassium Chlorate - 45%
2. Antimony Sulfide - 23% Case
3. Fulminate of Mercury -32% Propelan
Origin of the Primer
Alexander John Frosyth- Was credited being the first to conceive the idea of using detonating
compound for igniting powder charge in small arms by percussion, and in 1807he obtained patent for this
idea. Forsyth was a Scotch Presbyterian minister, but he was also a chemist, a hunter and well-known
authority on firearms. He spent most of the time and attention in the development, and improvement of
ignition, and his first successful priming mixture, was composed of potassium chlorate, charcoal and
sulfur in powdered form.
Primers are used for igniting propellant. The promptness, adequacy and uniformity in the ignition
of powder charges, play a vital role in the performance of the cartridge.
Types /Kinds of Primer
1. Berdan Primer
- was invented by U.S Army Colonel Hiram Berdan.
-The primer of this type, have two vents or flash holes towards the gunpowder.
- Berdan powder is none-replaceable, since the anvil of the primer, formed an integral part of the cartridge
case, and can be deformed by firing,
- However, with care, it can be replaced.
2. Boxer Primer
- was invented by British Army Colonel Edward M. Boxer.
- The primer has only one vent or flash holes towards the gunpowder
- The Boxer primer can be replaced and can be reused consequently minimized expensive brass cartridge
case. Boxer Primer Drangs Mixture Primer Cup Boxer
3. Chinese Modified Berdan - a type of primer designed by Chinese, having a triangular flash hole
serving as a passage of ignition. Chinese Modified Berdan Primer Cus Kojit Securing to abri
4. French Modified Berdan - a type of primer designed by France, having a punch hole serving as a
passage of ignition.
Parts of the Primer
1. Anvil - The portion of the primer, against which the priming mixture is crushed by blow from the firing
pin. This must be hard, rigid and firmly supported, to provide the resistance necessary for firing the
priming mixture.
2. Priming Mixture-The portion of the primer, against which the priming mixture is crushed by blow
from the firing pin. This must be hard, rigid and firmly supported, to provide the resistance necessary for
firing the priming mixture.
3. Disc - Piece of small paper or I disk of tin foil, where the priming mixture is contained and pressed
over by the primer and the anvil,its purposed are: PRIMER CUP CHARGE PAPER DOC a. To hold
priming mixture in place b. To exclude moisture.
4. Primer cup-The container of the anvil, disc and the priming mixture. This is made of brass, gliding
metal or copper, depending upon the kind
Location of the Primer
1. The location of the primer tells you if a cartridge is rimfire or center- fire. Generally, center- fire
cartridges are more powerful than rim-fire Center fire
2. The center-fire cartridge has a primer located in the center of the base.
3. The rim-fire cartridge has no noticeable primer. Instead, the priming compound is placed and spun
into the case rim. When the rim is struck by the firing pin, the priming compound explodes, igniting the
powder. Rim-fire
Marks Found on the Primer
1. Firing Pin Impressions- This is a common mark or impression that you will find on the primer. It is
created when the firing pin strikes the primer. Fing Pin Coraca "ROM" of Case
2. Breech Face Impressions - Breech marks are a common mark or impression that you will find on the
case and primer. It is created when the spent cartridge is forced against the breech face during firing.

Summary
An ammunition cartridge of the type comprising a cartridge case consisting, at least in a predominant
cartridge case portion, of a synthetic plastics material and having a lower end portion for receiving and
holding a cartridge bottom insert, said cartridge bottom insert being a composite unit comprising a single
metal bottom element and a sleeve element made of a synthetic plastics composition, said single
metal bottom element being firmly secured in said sleeve element, said sleeve element being molded onto
said single metal bottom element and said single metal bottom element is an integral structure made of a
sheet metal capable of being shaped by deep-drawing and comprising a chamber for receiving and
holding a detonator cap and a pair of coaxial flange means, one of said flange means of said pair having a
diameter that is smaller than the diameter of the other flange means of said pair, said metal bottom
element further comprising a tubular portion interconnecting said pair of coaxial flange means, said
flange means with said smaller diameter being shaped to anchor said metal bottom element in said sleeve
element and said other flange means of said pair forming an extraction rim for the cartridge.

CHAPTER V
Introduction
The term gun may refer to any sort of projectile weapon from large cannons to small firearms including
those that are usually hand-held (handgun). The word gun is also commonly used to describe objects
which, while they are not themselves weapons, produce an effect or possess a form which is in some way
evocative of a handgun or long gun.
The use of the term "cannon" is interchangeable with "gun as words borrowed from the French language
during the early 15th century, from Old French canon, itself a borrowing from the Italian cannone, a large
tube" augmentative of Latin canna "reed or cane". Recent scholarship indicates that the term "gun" may
have its origins in the Norse woman's name "Gunnildr" (which means "War-sword") (or "Gunnild",
possibly Queen Gunhild of Wenden wife of King Sweyn Forkbeard, which was often shortened to
"Gunna". The earliest recorded use of the term "gonne" was in a Latin document circa 1339. Other names
for guns during this era were "schioppi" (italian translation-thunderers"), and "donrebusse (Dutch
translation-"thunder gun") which was incorporated into the English language as "blunderbuss".
Artillerymen were often referred to as "gonners" and "artillers" Early guns and the men who used them
were often associated with the devil and the gunner's craft was considered a black art, a point reinforced
by the smell of sulfur on battlefields created from the firing of guns along with the muzzle blast and
accompanying flash.
The word cannon is retained in some cases for the actual gun tube but not the weapon system. The title
gunner is applied to the member of the team charged with operating, aiming, and firing a gun. Auto
cannons are automatic guns designed primarily to fire shells and are mounted on a vehicle or other mount.
Machine guns are similar, but usually designed to fire simple projectiles. In some calibers and some
usages, these two definitions overlap.
In contemporary military and naval parlance the term gun has a very specific meaning and refers solely
to any large-calibre. direct-fire, high-velocity, flat-trajectory artillery piece employing an explosive-filled
hollowed metal shell or solid bolt as its primary projectile. A related military use of the word is in
describing gun- type fission weapon. In this instance, the "gun" is part of a nuclear weapon and contains
an explosively propelled sub-critical slug offissile material within a barrel to be fired into a second sub-
critical mass in order to initiate the fission reaction. Potentially confused with this usage are small nuclear
devices capable of being fired by artillery or recoilless rifle. In civilian use, the captive bolt pistol is used
in agriculture to humanely stun farm animals for slaughter.
Shotguns are normally civilian weapons used primarily for hunting. These weapons are typically smooth
bored and fire a shell containing small lead or steel balls. Variations use rifled barrels or fire other
projectiles including solid lead slugs, a Taser XREP projectile capable of stunning a target, or other
payloads. In military versions, these weapons are often used to burst door hinges or locks in addition to
antipersonnel uses.

Definition of Terms
Legal Definition of Firearms refers to any handheld or portable weapon, whether a small arm or light
weapon, that expels or is designed to expel a bullet, shot, slug, missile or any projectile, which is
discharged by means of expansive force of gases from burning gunpowder or other form of combustion or
any similar instrument or implement. For purposes of this Act, the barrel, frame or receiver is considered
a firearm. Sec.3.Par. (1) R.A. No.10591 Comprehensive Firearms and Ammunition Regulation Act.
Legal Definition of Firearm - "Firearm" or "Arms" as herein used includes rifles, muskets, carbines,
shotgun, revolvers, pistols, and all other deadly weapons from which a bullet, ball, shot or other deadly
missile maybe discharged by means of gunpowder and other explosives. The term also includes air rifles
except such as being of small caliber and limited range used as toys. The barrel of a firearm shall be
considered a complete firearm for all purposes thereof. (Sec. 877, Revised Administrative code and see
also Sec. 290 of the National Internal Revenue Code)
Technical Definition of Firearms a firearm is an instrument that is used for the propulsion of projectiles
by means of the expansive force of gases of a burning gunpowder (FBI Manual or Fire Identification).
Other Definition
Firearms or Arms include rifles, muskets, carbines, shotgun, pistols, revolvers and all deadly weapons
from which a bullet, shot, a shell or missiles may be discharged by means of gunpowder o other
explosives. The terms also includes air rifles except: those that are small in caliber and usually used as
toys.
Minor parts of a firearms refers to the parts of the firearm other than the major parts which are necessary
to effect and complete the action of expelling a projectile by way of combustion, except those classified
as accessories. Sec. 3. Par. (x) R. A. No. 10591 Comprehensive Firearms and Ammunition Regulation
Act

Types of Firearms
According to used
Small arms refer to firearms intended to be or primarily designed for individual use or that which is
generally considered to mean a weapon intended to be fired from the hand or shoulder, which are not
capable of fully automatic bursts of discharge, Sec. 3. Par (dd) R. A. No. 10591 Comprehensive Firearms
and Ammunition Regulation Act". such as:
1. Handgun which is a firearm intended to be fired from the hand, which includes:
i. A pistol which is a hand-operated firearm having a chamber integral with or permanently
aligned with the bore which may be self-loading; and
i. Revolver which is a hand-operated firearm with a revolving cylinder containing chambers for
individual cartridges.
2. Rifle which is a shoulder firearm or designed to be fired from the shoulder that can discharge a bullet
through a niffed barrel by different actions of loading, which may be classified as lever, bolt, or self-
loading; and
3. Shotgun which is a weapon designed, made and intended to fire a number of ball shots or a single
projectile through a smooth bore by the action or energy from burning gunpowder.
Major part or components of a firearm
Refers to the barrel, slide, frame, receiver, cylinder or the bolt assembly. The term also includes any part
or kit designed and intended for use in converting a semi-automatic burst to a full automatic firearm.
Section 3. Par W. Of R. A. No. 10591 Comprehensive Firearms and Ammunition Regulation Act
Minor parts of a firearm
Refers to the parts of the firearm other than the major parts which are necessary to effect and complete
the action of expelling a projectile by way of combustion, except those classified as accessories.
Barrel the passage of path of the bullet towards the muzzle end.
Motion refers to the movement or mobility of projectiles inside the barrel or after the projectiles left the
gun barrel.
Projectiles refers to the metallic or non metallic object propelled from the firearm by means of heated gas
coming from the burning gun powder.

Barrel
Barrel Types include rifled a series of spiraled grooves or angles within the barrel when the projectile
requires an induced spin to stabilize it, and smoothbore when the projectile is stabilized by other means or
rifling is undesired or unnecessary. Typically, interior barrel diameter and the associated projectile size is
a means to identify gun variations. Bore diameter is reported in several ways. The more conventional
measure is reporting the interior diameter (bore) of the barrel in decimal fractions of the inch or in
millimeters. Some guns such as shotguns report the weapon's gauge (which is the number of shot pellets
having the same diameter as the bore produced from one English pound (454g) of lead) or as in some
British ordnance the weight of the weapon's usual projectile.

Projectile
A Gun Projectile may be a simple, single-piece item like a bullet. a casing containing a payload like a
shot shell or explosive shell, or complex projectile like a sub-caliber projectile and sabot. The propellant
may be air, an explosive solid, or an explosive liquid. Some variations like the Gyrojet and certain other
types combine the projectile and propellant into a single item.
Two General Classification of Firearm's (According to Gun Barrel Internal Construction)
1. Smooth Bore Firearms - are those firearms that have no riflings (lands and grooves) inside its gun
barrel. Eg. Shotguns and Muskets.
2. Rifled Bore Firearms are those firearms that have riflings inside it's gun barrel. Eg. Pistols, Revolvers
& Rifles.
Main Types of Firearms
According to Caliber of Projectiles Propelled
Artillery - those that propel projectile more than one inch in diameter sample: Canons, Mortars and
Bazookas
Small Arms - those that propel projectile less than one inch in diameter. Eg
Machine guns- Shoulder arms and Hand guns. Machine Gun - is a type of firearms that is primarily
designed for military used.
Rifles- a shoulder weapon designed to fire a projectile with more accuracy through a long rifled bore
barrel
Carbine - a short barrel rifle measuring less than 22 inches.
Musket- an ancient smooth bore and a muzzle loading rifle designed to fire a shot of single round lead
ball.
Shotgun - a smooth bore and a breech loading shoulder arms designed to fire more pellets in one charge.
Hand guns - those types of firearms that are designed or intended to be fired even with one hand only.
Ex: Pistol and revolvers.
Pistols-a type of hand gun that have a slide and firing mechanis may be semi auto or automatic magazine
loading.
Revolver- is a type firearms designed to be fired with the aid of a rotating cylinder serving as its
chamber. The firing mechanism may be single action or double action.
Types of Firearms
According to Mechanical Construction
Single Action - Those type of firearms designed to fire only one shot every loading. Sample: Single shot
Pistols, Revolvers, Shotguns and Rifle.
Double Action - Those firearms designed to fire several shot in one loading. Sample: Semi Automatic
Pistols, Revolvers, Shotguns and Rifles.
Slide/Single Action Type - Those firearms in which loading takes place by back and forth manipulation
of slide of the gun. Sample: Pistols and Shotguns.
Bolt Type - Those firearms in which loading takes place by back and forth manipulation of bolt of the
gun. Sample: Bolt action Riffles.
Lever Type - Those firearms in which loading takes place by the lever of the gun. Sample: Lever Type
Rifles and Shotguns.
Automatic Loading Type - Those firearms that constitutes a continuous firing in a single press of the
trigger and while the trigger is pressed. Sample: Automatic Rifles, Pistols and Machine Guns.
Nota bene:
Magnum - means powerful, the word originated in England.
Kolibri- is the smallest semi-auto, center fire pistol having the caliber of 2.7 mm, invented in the year
1914.
Colt Magnum .44 cal. Revolver- was once considered the most powerful hand gun in the world before.
Dessert Eagle cal. 50 magnum - replaced the magnum 44 cal in the claim of most powerful handgun in
the world, it is made in Israel.
500 Smith and Wesson Revolver -considered also the most powerful handgun in the world like dessert
eagle the difference of these is that the 500 S&W is a revolver while the dessert eagle 50 is a pistol.
Pfeifer Zeliska 600 nitro express- a revolver type handgun having 60 cal and the latest most powerful
handgun in the world.

Summary
The arguments come down to principle, law and practicality. Gun rights advocates see weapon
possession as a matter of individual rights. They say that people have the right to arm themselves for
hunting, self-defense, sport or just because they want to. Legally, the debates often come down to the
Second Amendment, whose 18th century context and language have been endlessly parsed and debated:
"A well regulated militia being necessary to the security of a free state, the right of the people to keep and
bear arms shall not be infringed." Gun rights advocates say that means an individual right to gun
possession, while gun control advocates say it means the people's collective right, through a militia. For
generations, the Supreme Court avoided directly answering the question, though its decisions were often
seen as favoring the collective interpretation. But in 2008, the supreme court ruled for the first time, in a
5-to-4 decision, that the Second Amendment protects the individual right to have firearms. Even so,
debates continue to rage on what sorts of limitations on that right are allowable. On a practical level, gun
owners argue that the weapons actually make society safer, giving people the power of self-defense, and
dissuading criminals from victimizing people who might be armed. In particular, they say that an armed
citizen can stop a mass shooter.

CHAPTER VI
Introduction

All evidence bears class characteristics and individual characteristics may or may not be
present. Evidence that possesses class characteristics may be referred to as class evidence.
Similarly evidence that possesses individual characteristics may be referred to as individual
evidence. Both class and individual evidence have value; however, it typically takes
considerably more class evidence (and time for collection and analysis) to have the same weight
and significance as a single item of individual evidence. Criminal cases based solely on class
evidence are more difficult to prove and require more work, but the results can be just as
significant. To put it in perspective, in terms of probative value in the courtroom, it usually
takes a considerable combination of class evidence to equate to a single item of individual
evidence.

Class Characteristics
 This pertains to those characteristics which are determinable prior to the manufacture
of the firearms, these are considered to be. A manufacture's design or specification and
security.

Class Characteristics of Firearms

1. Bore Diameter - It is the caliber or gauge.

2. Number of Lands and Grooves

3. Lands - are the elevated portion of the bore.

4. Grooves are the depressed portion of the bore.

5. Width of the Lands is dependent upon the bore of the diameter.

6. Width of the Grooves - is measured as the shortest distance between the two edge of
grooves.

7. Direction of Twist - it will depend on the manufacturer it's either to the left or to the right.

8. Pitch of Rifling- it is the measure of the twisting of the lands and grooves.

9. Depth of the Grooves it is measured on a radius of the bore.

Individual Characteristics

This refers to those characteristics which are determinable only after manufacture of
the firearm. These are the result of machine imperfection, metal irregularities and beyond the
control of the manufacturer. Are usually determined by the test firing which will give us both
test bullet and test cartridge case on every cartridge fired from it.

Rifling - Composed of lands and grooves found at the internal portion of the gun barrel, it
makes the bullet spin when fired turns making the bullet stable (Gyroscopic Stability) while in
flight. The number of rifling would be from 3-16 but 5-7 are the most common. Button Rifled
16-Right "Micro-groove" Rifling Pattern Groove 5-R-G-L Cut A-A

Standard Types of Riflings.

1. Steyr Type - 4-R-G=L

2. Smith and Wesson Type -5-R-G=L

3. Browning Type - 6-R-G2x

4. Colt Type - 6-L-G2xk

5. Webley Type - 7-R-G3x

6. Army Type-4-R-G3x

SUMMARY

Today firearm and explosive units and crime laboratories might use other
complimentary microscopic and photographic instrumentation, but for matters concerning the
identification of toolmarks on fired bullets, cases or any other object, the comparison
microscope is an absolutely necessary instrument. The characteristics that make the tool
surface unique are called individual characteristics. When these characteristics are compared in
toolmarks, and sufficient agreement is found, an identification can be established. These
characteristics are from imperfections on the tool surface that make the toolmark. The
imperfections, typically microscopic, usually arise during the tool manufacturing process. In
addition, the surface may also gain imperfections and irregularities through use, wear,
corrosion, and damage. If the class characteristics agree in every respect with the evidence item
(i.e., the cartridge case or the recovered bullet) and with the test-fires from a suspect firearm,
the examiner then uses the comparison micro-scope to compare the individual characteristics
of both evidence and test toolmarks. Individual characteristics are random in nature, usually
arising from the tool working surface incidental to manufacture, but can also be the result of
use, wear, and possible care and/or abuse of the tool.

CHAPTER VII
What is Firearms Identification?

Refers to the science by which one can determine whether or not a particular bullet was
fired from a gun. It is the knowledge with which one is able to reveal any pertinent facts about
firearms or ammunition.

Marks found on the fired bullets

Land marks - Are depressed portion caused by the lands.

Grooves Marks - Are elevated portion caused by the grooves.

Slippage Marks - Are marks produce by a worn-out barrels, oily barrels and oversized barrels.
Shaving Marks - Marks found on bullets fired from a revolver due to the poor alignment of the
cylinder to the bore.

Striations Marks-are common to cartridge cases that have passed through the action of an auto
loading or repeating firearm. Striated action marks can be produced on cartridge cases by
contact with a number of different areas within the firearm. Some of the more common
striated action marks include chamber marks; shear marks, extractor marks, and ejector marks.

Principle of identification of fired Bullets

1. No two barrels are microscopically identical as the surface of their bores all posses individual
characteristic marking of their own.
2. When a bullet is fired from a rifled barrel, it becomes engraved by the rifling and this
engraving will vary in its minute detail with every individual bore. Thus, a bullet fired from one
barrel will have different minute markings from a bullet fired from a different barrel.
3. Every barrel leaves its thumb mark or fingerprint on every single bullet fired through it.

Marks found on fired "Shells"

1. Firing pin impression

2. Breech face mark
3. Extractor mark
4. Shear mark
5. Ejector mark
6. Chamber mark
7. Magazine lip mark

Firing pin impressions - are indentations created when the firing pin of a firearm strikes the
primer of centerfire cartridge case or the rim of a rimfire cartridge case. If the nose of the
firing pin has manufacturing imperfections or damage, these potentially unique characteristics
can be impressed into the metal of the primer or rim of the cartridge case.

Breechface Marks - Found on the Head of the Cartridge Case

Extractor Mark - Another action mark, usually found in a striated form, are those created by
the extractor of most auto-loading or The extractor is a small part sometimes resembling a
hook that is used to remove a cartridge or cartridge repeating firearms. case from the
chamber of a firearm.

Chamber Marks - One of the most common striated action marks are called chamber marks.
Roughness in the chamber of a firearm can scratch the outer walls of a cartridge case when
loaded and removed from the chamber. Most chamber marks occur after the cartridge is fired.
Cartridge cases expand when fired pressing out against the walls of the chamber. When they
 are pulled out of the chamber, the sides of the cartridge case can be scratched. The
comparison image below shows chamber marks on 22 caliber. rimfire cartridge cases.

Ejector marks-are sometimes created when cartridges or cartridge cases are ejected from the
action of a firearm. Ejector marks can be either striated or impressed but the impressed
ejector marks not only can be used to identify a cartridge case as having passed through a
firearm's action they can also be an indication that the cartridge case was fired in the firearm.

Magazine Lip Mark - Produce by the lip of the magazine specially in firearms having
magazines.

Examples of Cartridge case comparison examination

Exhibit 1 (cartridge case) was identified as having been fired by Exhibit 2 (firearm).

The above conclusion is reached if the action marks present on the questioned
cartridge case are determined to be because of the actual firing process. An example of which
can be breech marks as seen in the comparison image below.

Exhibit 1 (cartridge case) was not fired by Exhibit 2 (firearm)

This conclusion can sometimes be reached when the submitted cartridge case exhibits
very good individual characteristics that are very dissimilar to those produced on standards.
However, consideration must be given to the possibility that the firearm in question could
have changed significantly. If all dissimilarities can be accounted for, a negative conclusion will
be reached. The comparison image below shows two cartridge cases that exhibit noticeably
different breech marks and firing pin impressions.

Principle of identification (Fired shells)

1. The Breechface and striker of every single firearm leaves a micro skeptical individualities of
their own.
2. The firearm leaves its "fingerprint" or "thumb mark on every cartridge that it fires.

3. The whole principle of identification is based on the fact that since the breechface of every
weapon must be individually distinct, the cartridge cases, which it fires, are imprinted with this
individuality.

Recovering and Preserving Evidence

1. Any item that may need the services of a firearms examiner must be handled with care to
make sure it is not altered or damaged.
2. Firearms evidence to be sent to the lab to learn when the weapon was last fired or for
powder residue should not be processed for prints before the lab examines it. Latent print
techniques may hinder the examinations of the firearms examiner. At the lab, the fingerprint
and firearms examiners will coordinate their efforts.

Marking Of Firearms Evidence

1. Place your initials and the time and date of recovery on each item of evidence so you can
positively identify it at a later date. When several like items are found, add an identifying
number on each item. No two items of evidence in the same case should bear the same
identifying numbers. All identifying marks and a description of items to which they are affixed
should be put in your notes. The identifying number has no bearing on the numbers of the
exhibits in the report of investigation
2. Marking tools may be used for inscribing identifying markings on firearms evidence. Diamond
point or Carborundum pencils are ideal.
3. Firearms are most often marked on the right side of the frame. Mark all parts of the firearm
that can be removed and that leave imprints on either the bullet or cartridge case.
4. For example, you would mark a conventional 45 caliber semiautomatic pistol in three places.
For revolvers mark them on the side of the frame that cannot be removed.

Transmittal of Evidence

1. Pillboxes, plastic vials, and the like that have cotton packing material are fine. Seal the
container with paper packaging tape or the equivalent; do not use cellophane or masking tape.
2. When revolvers having loaded cartridges or fired cases are obtained, make a diagram of the
rear face of each cylinder. Show the position of the loaded cartridges or the fired cases with
respect to one another and to the firing pin. Scratch an arrow on each side or rear face of the
cylinder lying under the firing pin when the revolver was found. Do this on the revolver, itself,
and also on the diagram. Your diagram, complete with legend, lets the lab examiner relate the
fired cartridges to the chamber of the cylinder in which they were fired.

Testing at the Lab

Often the lab can examine a fired bullet or even a cartridge case alone to learn facts of
the class characteristics of the firearm involved. The lab can tell you the caliber and type of
firearm (pistol revolver, rifle) from which the bullet was fired. The number and width of lands
and grooves in the rifling and the direction of twist may also be provided.

Gunshot Residue and Wounds

 Firearms examiners are often called upon to estimate the range from which a gunshot
was fired by examining the gunshot residue patterns on the victim's skin or clothing. Gunshot
residue consists of particles from the gun barrel or the surface of the bullet, and/or remnants of
the propellant or primer. When the gun is fired, the residue from the shot is projected in a
roughly conical cloud in the direction of the target the larger the particle, the farther and
straighter it will travel. Gunshot residue may also leak out or wat onto the shooter's skin or
clothing. The appearance of a gunshot wound, and the residue that may surround it, can
indicate the range from which it was inflicted. Forensic pathologists usually place the range
from which a gunshot wound was inflicted into one of four categories:

1. distant shots
2. close-range shots
3. near-contact shots
4. contact shots (loose or tight)

Distant shots -are fired from such a range that no detectable GSR reaches the skin or clothing
of the victim. There may, however, be a greyish ring around the wound composed of propellant
combustion products and lubricant or metal form the bullet's surface this is referred to as a
bullet wipe.

Close-range shots -are inflicted at ranges that are short enough for GSR to reach the skin or
clothing of the victim.

Two types of GSR deposits are seen with these shots:

1. Stippling (or tattooing)

2. Soot (smudging).

Note:

The larger particles that produce stippling travel farther than the finer particles which
make up the soot, so as the range of fire decreases the resulting GSR patterns go from widely
dispersed stppling (farther range) to more concentrated stippling plus soot (closer range).

Examples of soot and stippling from contact to distant

Near-Contact Range - will produce stippling and smudging that is concentrated in a tight circle.
The muzzle flash (the release of high temperature, high pressure gases which can be seen as a
flash of light) may tear, burn or melt clothing fibers.

Loose-contact shots - are fired with the gun's muzzle just touching the target surface, and the
muzzle flash will usually produce similar affect to those observed in near-contact shots.
Tight-contact shots- when the shot directly enters bone, often produce a characteristic jagged
entrance wound caused by the gases from the propellant creating a pocket of hot gas between
skin and bone. Particles of GSR will follow the bullet through the opening in the skin. This may
also have the effect of blowing tissue back onto or into the weapon, and the hand of the
shooter, providing trace biological evidence. On contact, particles of GSR will follow the bullet
through the opening in the skin

Problems in firearms identification.

1. Given bullets, to determine the caliber and type of firearm from which it was fired.
2. Given fired cartridge cases, to determine the caliber type of firearm from which it was fired.
3. Given a bullet and a suspected firearm, to determine whether or not the bullet was fired
from the suspected firearm.

4.Given a fired cartridge case and a suspected firearm, to determine whether or not the fired
cartridge case was fired from the suspected firearm.

5.Given two or more bullets, to determine whether or not they were fired from the same
firearm.

6. Given two or more fired cartridge cases, to determine whether or not they were fired from
the same firearm.

7. Given a firearm, to determine whether firearm is serviceable or not.

Summary

While there is no single approach to the examination of firearm evidence, and different
laboratory examination protocols exist, there are many things in common between forensic
laboratories. Since a particular examination is in many ways a custom product because of the
variety of firearms evidence and investigation scenarios, the prosecutor must become familiar
with the general laboratory protocols utilized by their firearm examiner. The following is a
general approach that may be employed in an examination. It is by no means a standard that is
used by every laboratory in every case. Having resolved other forensic issues, the fired bullets
and cases are examined for identifiable toolmarks. This is especially important in the
evaluation of bullets that are damaged. If no toolmarks of value are on the evidence bullets, an
identification cannot be concluded. However, for some items of evidence, certain class
characteristics of the bullet and case may be determined. Details such as the bullet weight,
bullet dimensions, composition, manufacture marks, number of lands and grooves, direction of
rifling twist, and land and groove impression widths may be recorded and measured. For
cartridge cases the caliber, head stamp information, case and primer composition, shape and
placement of the firing pin impression, ejector and extractor. marks, chamber marks, magazine
marks and breech face impression pattern may be documented. This information is then
compared with a test-fired bullet and/or cartridge cases from a firearm that may be linked to
the crime scene and/ or suspect.

CHAPTER VIII
Firearms Examination Equipment

The specialized equipment used by firearms examiners includes microscopes,

measuring tools, testing tools, and balances These tools enable the examiner to carry out the
various aspects an academic background in science. Other equipment, such as measuring and
weighing devices, are also familiar items to anyone who has a science background.

The firearms or tool marks examiner primarily uses two different types of microscopes
on a regular basis. The first is the stereomicro-scope. This microscope sits on the worktable and
is usually mounted on a boom or arm extending from a stand. It usually has zoom capabilities
for magnification from about 3X to about 10X. Initial examinations of weapons, ammunition
components tools, and objects with tool marks on them are done with the stereomicroscope.
The relatively low power gives plenty of working room so that the examiner can manipulate
various cumbersome objects into the field of view.

The workhorse of the firearms or tool marks section is the forensic comparison
microscope, which is actually two microscopes connected via an optical bridge. When one looks
through the eyepieces, both stages are visible via a split screen. In this way evidence tool marks
on a surface can be compared directly to test tool marks on a similar surface.

Identifying a Weapon

Most guns have their own unique identifying features and even if the gun has not been
left at the crime scene many degrees of information can be determined from the bullet, the
nature of the wound and any residue that is left around it.

Bullets contain a mixture of gunpowder and cordite and these leave burn marks on the
skin of the individual either wounded or killed, they also leave a fine residue on the fingers and
hands of the individual firing the gun. These burn marks can signify closeness of the victim to
the perpetrator, kind of weapon and also if the weapon has had any modifications made to it.
Some weapons have been disarmed by having the firing pins and mechanisms removed but
new are individuals who can 'reactivate these weapons for use again.

Also, each weapon's barrel contains small ligatures and gooves, which, when a bullet is
fired from them, make marks on the shell casing, which can be used as a means of identifying
the make and model of gun if these shell casings are found at the scene.
 It is also worth noting that an automatic - or semi automatic pon-will expel shell casings
as the weapon fires a round whereas a revolver will fire the round but retain the shell casing
within the barrel.

Investigating

The field of ballistics is able to identify rifling patterns, marks made by using suppressors
(silencers), shell casings, powder bum and many other different areas relating to the use of
firearms and the evidence they leave behind.

Indeed most ballistics experts will be able to tell you the particular weapon simply by
the sound of it being fired. They will also be able to carry out distance and depth tests which
include firing rounds of ammunition into water, sand and other substances to determine how
close a person would have to be to receive a life threatening wound from a gun.

Ballistics is a very important part of the world of forensic science and much of its
evidence is used in criminal proceedings. In some cases the use of ballistics research can prove
a link between many different crimes carried out over a lengthy period of time. This is also an
important function of the ballistics team as many weapons are passed and sold on between
criminals during their life cycle.

Equipments Used In A Ballistics Laboratory

Comparison Microscope - This valuable instrument is specially designed to permit the firearm
examiner to determine the similarity and dissimilarity between two fired bullets or two fired
cartridge cases by simultaneously observing their magnified image is actually two microscope
couple together with a single or two eye piece, so that when one looks through this comparison
eye piece, he is seeing one half of what is under the other - in other words, half of the evidence
bullet and half of the test bullet.

Bullet Comparator Microscope- is specially designed to perma freams examiner to determine

the similanty and dissimilarity between two fired bullets or two fired cartridge cases

Forensic comparison microscope Forensic comparison microscopes have special holders

that fit on the stages so that a wide variety of evidence items, such as bullets, cartridge cases,
shot shells, tools, and firearms and parts, can be examined. The examiner must sometimes
improvise in order to get a desired part under the microscope. Comparison microscopes are
fitted with multiple objectives so that a range of magnification is available to the examiner. A
maximum of about 40X magnification is typically adequate for firearms or tool marks
examination.

The comparison microscope is usually fitted with a video imaging system for use in
training and for case documentation purposes. Digital images showing the specific areas of
identification provide visual support for the examiner's written notes and conclusions. Not
everyone supports the use of photography. Critics argue against photographing.

Early configurations of comparison microscopes consisted of a matched pair of

compound microscopes with conventional specimen stages. These stages were joined by a
system of lenses prisms, and mirrors in what was termed an optical bridge. The bridge allowed
the scientist to observe and compare two physically separated but optically joined objects
simultaneously in a single field of view. This field of view was split by an optical hairline.
However, the specimen stages of these early comparison microscopes preted the field of
firearms identification by nearly two decades.

Before the use of comparison microscopy, forensic firearms nations typically involved

 the sequential examination of fired components using a were not configured for
forensic firearms examinations and in fact single compound microscope,
 large format photography of microscopic details for each component through a
compound microscope,
 side-by-side comparison of the photographic results,
 preparation of exhibits based on the photographs.

Problems associated with this approach included these: .

 The evidence items were examined in sequence, not simultaneously.

 The evidence items could only be simultaneously compared using photographic prints. .
 The photographs taken were two-dimensional representations of three-dimensional
objects.

The comparison microscope was invented in the 1920s by American Army Colonel Calvin
Goddard (1891-1955) who was working for the Bureau of Forensic Ballistics of the City of New
York. Goddard also benefited from the help of Colonel Charles Waite, Philip Gravelle, and John
Fisher. At that time, the comparison microscope was used to compare fired bullets and casings.
In the late 1920s, Swedish criminalist Harry Söderman (1902-1956) drastically improved the
comparison microscope by inventing a system for rotating the bullets under the objectives. This
allowed for a much faster comparison of lands of grooves of bullets by simultaneous rotation of
both the suspect and comparison bullets. Söderman gave the name Hastoscope to his
invention.

Early in 1925, Colonel Calvin Goddard (generally acknowledged as the father of firearms
identification in the United States) and his associate, Phillip O. Gravelle, (microscopist, tool
designer, and photographer) adapted the existing compound microscope to accommodate
simultaneous microscopic forensic bullet comparisons. They achieved this by using an optical
bridge to join together the stages of two compound microscopes.
 This basic monocular instrument has evolved considerably over the past eighty years into
the sophisticated instruments used today

Some of the features:

 Binocular viewing
 Rotating nosepieces with a variety of objective lenses
 A choice of illumination systems, e.g., variable fiber optic LED, and high-intensity
fluorescent light sources
 Push-button focusing
 Image capture systems with file export and printing capabilities
 Specialized specimen mounts
 Motorized control of the x, y, and z axis settings, which can be saved for
reproducibility
 Monitors to facilitate examinations, training, and image capture
 Optical and digital capability for image superimposition or conventional side-by-side
comparisons
 Digital reference marks to easily return to areas of interest identifications on the
basis that two-dimensional photographs do not fully represent the three-
dimensional tool marks.

Stereoscopic Microscopes -This is generally used in the preliminary examination of fired bullets
and fired shells. To determine the location of the extractor marks and ejector marks for
orientation purposes. It can be used also in close-up examination of tampered serial numbers of
firearms. A stereo microscope that can observe and work in a bright field of view with little
influence on WD due to the LED illumination built into the stand. SPZ-50PG and DSZ-44PG are
zoom type, and NSW-40PG is a zooming type. The lighting device uses 60 balls of LED. With
dimmer. Comes with a light protection cover (double-sided frost/single-sided frost).

Binocular stereomicroscopes are a matched pair of microscopes mounted side by side

with a small angle between the optical axes. The object is imaged independently to each eye,
and the stereoscopic effect, which permits discrimination of relief on the object, is retained.
The effect can be exaggerated by proper choice of the design parameters for the microscopes.
For practical reasons, the magnifying power of such instruments is usually in the range of 5-
250x. Such microscopes are important in any work in which fine adjustment of tools or devices
is to be made. For example, the stereomicroscope is often used in biological laboratories for
dissection of subjects and in the operating room for microsurgica procedures. Moderate-power
stereomicroscopes are even more widely used in the electronics manufacturing industry, where
they enable technicians to monitor the bonding of leads to integrated circuits.

Comparison Projector - This is generally used in the preliminary examination of fired

bullets and fired shells. To determine the location of the extractor marks and ejector marks for
orientation purposes. It can be used also in one close-up examination of tampered serial
numbers of firearms.

These 3 Chip DLP technology produce maximum brightness output and spectacular
images in large venue applications. DLP 3 Chip Projectors are used for high- performance, high
brightness applications in large rooms such as lecture halls, digital cinemas (yes, in your local
cineplex), and other large audience venues. 3 chip systems produce stunning images in almost
any environment. 3 Chip DLP technology is currently considered the top of the line technology
for digital projection. The 3 Chip system is based on light passing through a prism that divides it
into red, green, and blue. Each chip is identified with one of these three colors. Micromirrors
reflect this colored light, with their digital (on/off) mirrors. The light gets recombined, and out
the lens to the screen.

Bullet Recovery Box -For obtaining best fired bullet or test fired cartridge cases from the
suspected firearms submitted to the ballistics laboratory. In test firing suspected firearms, it is
standard procedure to used ammunition that are of the same caliber. make or brand and
manufactured in the same year with that of the evidence bullet or shell. Water is one of the
means to obtain test bullets and test shells because the microscope marks on the cylindrical or
peripheral surface of the bullets are preserved for good used. The same is true with cotton.

Measuring Projector -This projector determines the width of the lands, width of
grooves, diameter and twist of fired bullets.

This is a back-plunger model that is highly resilient and robust. The ABSOLUTE Digimatic
Indicator ID-B will give the following features:

 It is a back plunger type, with the display viewed from above.

 Its slim body design is ideal for multi-point measurements.
 The ABSOLUTE sensor means you don't have to carry out origin setting every
time you power it on, saving you time and hassle.
 It has excellent resistance against water and dust (IP66 protection level)
allowing you to use it in machining situations that include splashing coolant
fluid.
 Switchable display orientation gives you more mounting options.
 You can perform GO/±NG

Verneir Caliper - This instrument determines the bullet diameter and barrel length.

Analytical Balance - This more or less determines the weight of the bullets, shots and
pellets for possible type, caliber and make for firearm from which they were fired. Analytical
balances are highly sensitive lab instruments designed to accurately measure mass Their
readability has a range between 0.1mg 0.01mg. Analytical balances have a draft shield or
weighing chamber to prevent the very small samples from being affected by air currents.
They're meant to detect very fine increments, so the slightest vibrations or breeze can impact
the results. As such, analytical balances should be used in a dedicated room with as few
disturbances as possible Analytical balances need to be monitored carefully and calibrated
frequently. Most analytical balances have both automatic internal motorized calibration and
calibration with external weights. You can get calibration weight sets here. 0.0000

What makes analytical balances different from other balances?

Analytical balances are designed for very precise measurements of very small samples.
Precision balances usually have a higher capacity than analytical balances do and typically
deliver results of 0.1g, 0.01g or 1mg. Analytical balances have finer readability, are much more
sensitive to changes, and can detect smaller variations in mass. Precision balances have more
variety in body style and options, but they do not offer readabilities greater than three decimal
places. For acute measurements in labs, analytical balances are the right choice.

Unlike top-loading balances, analytical balances like the nimbus usually have a weighing
chamber that encloses the weighing pan with glass doors to prevent interference from
vibration or air currents. The weighing pan is usually smaller than in precision balances, and can
only accommodate small samples.

Micrometer or micrometer caliper- it is an instrument for making precise linear

measurements of dimensions such as diameters, thicknesses, and lengths of solid bodies; it
consists of a C-shaped frame with a movable jaw operated by an integral screw. The fineness of
the measurement that can be made depends on the lead of the screw i.e., the amount the
spindle moves toward or away from the anvil in one revolution and the means provided for
indicating fractional parts of a revolution. The accuracy of the measurements depends on the
accuracy of the screw-nut combination. barrel lock-ring spindle an frame thimble (The screw
(not seen] is inside the barrel.)

Taper Gauges - Used for determining the diameter of the bore of the firearms. A taper
gauge is a measuring tool that measures sizes such as the width of gaps and grooves, hole
diameter, and pipe inner diameter. In addition to models made of metals such as carbon tool
steel and stainless steel, there are also models made of plastic that do not easily damage the
object. Metal models with round cut gauge tips are even safer. They can make accurate
measurements with a scale of 0.05 mm from 1 to 60 mm. A taper gauges has a case or cap
made of brass or polycarbonate for easy carrying, so there are many types that can easily fit in
the breast pocket. There is a type that can measure just by inserting it, and a type that can be
used when the scale cannot be checked from the top. There are also compact bench centers
that can measure the amount of eccentricity of precision shafts, round work pieces and
precision gears, etc.

Onoscope- used for examining the interior surface of the barrel

 Helixometer- a tubular instrument in which an electric light and a prism and lens
system enable visual examination of a small-arms bore (as in criminal investigation) and it is for
measuring the pitch of the rifling. Pitch of rifling is the distance advanced by the rifling in one
complete turn or a distance traveled by the bullet in one complete turn.

Chronograph-used for determining the speed of the bullet or the muzzle velocity of the
bullet.

Shadowgraph - a photographic image produced on a radiosensitive surface by radiation

other than visible light (especially by X-rays of gamma rays)

Summary

Forensic ballistics involves the examination of evidence from firearms that may have
been used in a crime. When a bullet is fired from a gun, the gun leaves microscopic marks on
the bullet and cartridge case. These marks are like ballistic fingerprints. If investigators recover
bullets from a crime scene, forensic examiners can test-fire a suspect's gun, then compare the
marks on the crime scene bullet to marks on the test-fired bullet. The examiner will then assess
how similar the two sets of marks are and determine if the bullets are likely to have been fired
from the same gun or different guns. Cartridge cases are compared in the same way.

CHAPTER IX
Introduction

This basic crime scene investigation plan provides a detailed plan of activities in the
form of crime scene processing fingerprint identification, and forensic imaging to department
ente and other agencies. The goals and objectives of the Crime Scene Investigations units are
the collection, preservation, packaging transportation, and documentation of physical evidence
left at the crime scene.

Investigation Plan- refers to the wide variety of concept in gathering evidence. It is also
a detailed plan of activities in the form of crime scene processing, fingerprint identification, and
forensic imaging to department entities and other agencies conducted by the task group.

Establishing A Crime Scene

In order for an officer of the law to establish a crime scene he or she must know what a
crime scene is: simply put a crime scene is a location at which a crime has taken place and a
location that may yield physical clues as to the nature of the crime and the person or persons
responsible for it.

Securing the Scene

Once a police officer has determined the area to be regarded as a crime scene he or she
must make it in accessible to all but authorized personnel such as other police officers, Scenes
of Crime Officers (SOCO) and a police doctor or pathologist. It is important that the integrity of
a crime scene is maintained wherever possible so as not to contaminate any evidence that may
be available.

Protecting Evidence

If the crime scene is located outside then the officer may find it necessary to place a
cloth or waterproof sheeting over anything that he or she might consider to be evidence. It is
also important to note at this point that anything can be evidence from the largest item to the
smallest thing such as a cigarette end or piece of tissue. Anything that might look out of place in
its current location more often than not is out of place and should be considered to be
evidence.

Likewise if the crime scene is outside then the officer should be watching for vehicles
moving around and people coming and going; it is after all not uncommon for the perpetrator
of a crime to return to the scene to see how events are unfolding.

Protecting the Scene

It is of the utmost importance that members of the public and press are kept at arm's
length not only to preserve the crime scene but also to keep details of the crime to a minimum;
too much information in the public domain can influence the outcome of any police
investigation and can also lead to unwanted hoax calls and false confessions. It is important to
mark out footprints and tire tracks that may have been left by the perpetrator of a crime and
doing this can be done with tape or paper if it is available.

The police may also erect tents or tarpaulins to minimize the view of a crime scene to
both press and public and also so that a police doctor or pathologist can carry out a cursory
examination of a corpse before it is moved for autopsy. It is necessary that a corpse is examined
at its current location so that no claims of bruising or post mortem injury can be made.

An officer who is first on the scene is also required to segregate any witnesses to the
crime - if there are any - and make sure they are kept away from the media. Officers are also
encouraged to make notes of strange smells or fragrances that may not be present at the time
when the Scene of Crime Officer arrives.

All of these things are important and can provide vital information for Scene of Crimes
Officers when they arrive on the scene. Crime scenes are often the most valuable resource
when it comes to evidence and as such should be treated with care and due attention so that
any vital clues are preserved and uncontaminated.

Recording and Preserving the Crime Scene

Once a crime scene has been established it is important that all evidence is collated,
catalogued and recorded for further reference, This task is normally performed by the Scenes of
Crime Officer (SOCO) and is carried out using a variety of methods.

Methods of Preserving and Recording Evidence

Evidence that is loose and perhaps lying on the should be bagged up and catalogued;
each piece of evidence is then an individual identification number so that it can be cross-
matched against corresponding investigative reports. The evidence is bagged in clear plastic
bags, which are sealed airtight so that no contamination can take place.

Each of these bags is accompanied by a 'custody chain document, this document is to

be filled out by any officer who wishes to use or view the evidence. This is necessary to reduce
the loss of evidence and/or cross contamination by individuals who should not have contact
with it.

The area is photographed in meticulous detail and any signs of injury such as
bloodstains are marked, numbered and photographed. These photographs are often important
in the piecing together of an event so that officers who were not able to attend the scene can
get an understanding for how it looked. Nowadays with the advent of technology digital
technology such as video cameras are also used to record the nature of the scene. SOCO may
also make audio recordings as to their findings while they go.
 Fingerprints are taken where possible and if the crime scene is outdoors the area is
marked out and searched; these searches can take the form of a linear search (a single row of
officers moving in unison in a straight line), a grid search (a single row of officers moving in
unison in a series of squares), a quadrant search (one officer is allocated a particular area of
ground to search) or a spiral search (officers start from the middle of the crime scene and work
their way outwards in a spiral pattern so as to identify possible pieces of evidence that have
spread further than the crime scene itself.

Soll samples are also taken as the chemical makeup of soil will vary from place to place;
a corpse may have soil on the soles of their feet or under their fingernails, which may not have
been gathered at the location where the body was found. It is sometimes necessary for dogs to
be used at a crime scene; this is done so that evidence that may not be visible to the naked eye
can be detected. Internal crime scenes are photographed, blood spatter patterns are measured
and documented, and bloodstains on carpets and floors are measured for radius.

Regardless of the location of a crime scene it is imperative that all of those personnel
involved in the recording and preserving of it are dressed correctly in protective clothing. This
clothing which normally takes the form of plastic trousers and jacket; protective (to minimize
the possibility of the hair of those personnel investigating; contaminating a scene), and shoe
covers which are sed to reduce the risk of bringing materials from other locations to the scene
of the crime.

Forensic Photography

The use of photography in the recording of a crime scene is very important and has
become a steadfast part of the investigation process. As well as witness statements, the reports
made by officers and other physical evidence provided by the crime scene itself, photography is
used to provide an accurate account that cannot be altered. Scenes of Crime Officers (SOCO)
are charged with the task of recording the scene of a crime using various means; one of the
most common of them being photography.

The Crime Scene Photography

The crime scene is photographed to minimize the risk of conflicting statements and - if
there is a corpse at the scene - it too will be photographed post mortem so that a record of how
the body was found, what position it was found in, and the nature of its mortal injuries can be
documented for later inspection. In many cases photographic evidence is very important for
both the prosecution and defense counsels. It is also used as a means of displaying the nature
of a crime scene to officers of an investigative team who were not able to attend.

The means in which crime scenes are photographed are such that the most intricate of
details can be recorded for future reference. There are many different types of lens, camera
and indeed light that can be used for this procedure and even night vision photography is used
in certain scenarios.

Advances in modern technology have also meant that a crime scene can not only be
photographed but also recorded as video to represent an accurate depiction of what was
happening at the time, this can be useful in criminal proceedings and subsequent court cases.

How Forensic Photography Is Used

A forensic photographer will often use numbered indicators which are also height
indicators and these are placed next to pieces of evidence before they are photographed. This
is used to portray height, distance and radius especially if the crime scene is outside or in a very
enclosed space. These numbered markers are also used to cross reference the evidence against
any reports made and often find themselves known as 'exhibits' in subsequent court
proceedings. Crime scene photographs are also used not only as a means of evidence-but also
as a blueprint for reconstructing a scene or event at a later stage. These reconstructive events
can be used as a means of jogging the memories of passers-by who may have been witness to
an event or saw a perpetrator without realizing they had.

Photography is also used to catalogue the series of events. Which occur from the time a
corpse is found - and removed from a crime scene- and taken for autopsy. The autopsy itself is
photographed so that all relevant details as to the procedure can be recorded and that all
visible wounds are catalogued. Again while the pathologist is performing the autopsy
photographs of the internal organs are taken so that internal injuries can be noted; these
photographs are often used in court proceedings as a means of providing the jury with relevant
information without presenting them with too much gore. Expert witnesses are often called
upon to explain the whys and wherefores of the images photographed. All photographs or
video taken at a crime scene are indelibly time and date stamped.

Summary

A crime scene search is a planned and coordinated legal search of a crime scene to
locate physical evidence relevant to the investigation. The purpose of a crime scene search is to
Develop the facts of the crime, Identify, collect, and preserve evidence. Identify the criminals.
While the sequence of conducting a crime scene search accordingly, A crime scene search must
be conducted in a methodical manner to maximize the recovery of evidence at any given scene.
The purpose of processing a crime scene is to locate, collect and preserve all evidence relevant
to the investigation. Evidence recovered at a crime scene can be interpreted to assist in the
reconstruction of the crime scene events. Crime scenes cannot be lumped together. Each crime
scene is different and they must be evaluated case by case. Example; Survey the scene, Record
the scene, Locate and document all physical evidence, Search, process, document and recover
fingerprints.
 CHAPTER X
Justifying Circumstances

Self-Defense

PEOPLE vs MAGAYAC G.R. No. 126043, April 19, 2000

Facts: Jimmy, the victim and the accused Manuel were in a boat preparing for night fishing when a
fight occurred between the two. The altercation was stopped but it was followed by a series of
other incidents when the two exchanged blows. The following evening, the accused was seen
carrying a long rifle. The victim was warned of the fact but while he was trying to leave, he was shot
at the right stomach. The victim, while kneeling on the ground was repeatedly shot at the back until
he died. The accused was convicted, but upon appeal, he interposed self-defense and questioned
the appreciation of treachery which qualified the crime committed to murder.

Issue/s: Whether the accused should be acquitted on the ground of self-defense.

Held: The invocation of self-defense is an admission of the killing and its authorship. By this
admission, the burden of proof shifts to the accused who must establish all elements of the
justifying circumstance. In this case, there was no unlawful aggression on the part of the victim.
More so will the defense be disregarded when the number of gunshot wounds on Jimmy's body is
taken into account. The nature and number of wounds inflicted disprove the plea of self-defense
because they demonstrate determined effort to kill and not just defend himself.

PEOPLE vs. IGNACIO

37 G.R. No. 134568 February 10, 2000

Facts: Jessie Lacson, and Edwin Velasco were gathering shells by the seashore. This work caused
them to feel thirsty so they decided to go to the fishpond and get young coconuts. This fishpond is
owned by Cleto Cortes, with accused Eulogio Ignacio as the caretaker. Inside the fishpond is a house
where appellant sometimes stays. At the fishpond, Jessie got one young coconut. Caretaker Eulogio
came out of his house and saw Jessie. Edwin heard Eulogio shout at Jessie to put down the young
coconut, which the latter did. Then, Edwin saw Eulogio fire his homemade shotgun at Jessie who
was hit on the left portion of the breast. Then, Eulogio cranked his homemade shotgun, aimed it at
Edwin but did not fire, Edwin immediately left said place to report the shooting incident to Jessie's
parents. Edwin went to the house of Carlito Alcover, their Barangay Tanod and reported the
shooting. Then, Barangay Tanods came by and Carlito asked Eulogio to surrender, which he heeded.
For his part, the accused argued that he had acted in defense of property with no intention to kill
the victim. Appellant saw them stealing coconuts and crabs stocked inside his house. Ignacio
ordered them to stop and when the two did not, appellant, without any intention to kill Jessie and
Edwin, fired his gun. He left and informed Kagawad Gil Aristotles about the incident. Afterwards, he
reported to Barangay Tanod Saratiel Lachica.

Issue/s: Whether the accused was acting in lawful defense of his property.

Held: There was unlawful killing. In the present case, we find ample evidence that appellant did
shoot the victim. He himself admitted doing so, because he believed that the deceased and a
companion, Edwin Velasco, had stolen crabs. Allegedly, he saw them carrying a basket and coming
out of his house. When he approached, the two ran away. After they failed to heed his call for them
to stop, he shot the victim with a homemade shotgun. However, it should be stressed that
appellant's conduct cannot be justified as a lawful defense of property rights. For this justifying
circumstance to be appreciated. the accused has the burden of proving unlawful aggression on the
part of the victim and reasonable necessity of the means employed to prevent or repel it. In this
case, the first requisite was not proven because he was not attacked by the victim. In fact, he did
not even see the victim steal the crabs; he merely suspected him of doing so. Furthermore,
assuming that unlawful aggression was proven, there was no necessity to shoot because, according
to him, the victim was already running away when hit. The victim's companion at the time, Edwin
Velasco, positively identified appellant as the killer.

Incomplete Mitigating Circumstance; Performance of Duty

ROQUE GALANG vs. CA

GR. No. 128536, January 31, 2000

Facts: Drunk and rowdy after celebrating his birthday, Carlos Oro had two altercations which were
reported to Police Inspector Roque Galang. Roque confronted Carlos and ordered him to drop his
gun and to go down on his knees. Carlos consented and while he was kneeling on the ground,
Roque shot him twice which led to his death. Roque claimed self-defense but was found guilty of
homicide with the privileged mitigating circumstance of incomplete justifying circumstance of
performance of duty.

Issue: Whether Roque can claim the incomplete privileged mitigating circumstance of performance
of duty..

Held: He cannot avail of the privileged mitigating circumstance of incomplete justifying

circumstance of performance of duty. A peace officer is never justified in using unnecessary force or
violence in effecting arrest when the arrest can be effected otherwise.

Treachery

PEOPLE vs. ALFREDO CABANDE

G.R. No. 132747 February 8, 2000

Facts: Vicente and Victor Trinidad with his three children were on their way to fence their property.
Suddenly, apparently out of nowhere, two persons, one of whom was appellant, blocked their way,
giving Victor no choice but to stop the jeep. Appellant then, without fanfare, shot Victor despite the
latter's entreaties. Cabande again mercilessly shot Victor while he was on his knees, this time hitting
him at the left temple. Meanwhile, Vicente tried to take cover at the right side of the jeep but he
too, was shot.

Issue: Whether treachery attended the commission of the crime considering that the victim and the
accused had a prior feud.

Held: Yes. There is treachery when one commits any of the crimes against persons by employing
means, methods or forms in the execution thereof without risk to oneself arising from the defense
which the offended party might make. In the present case, it was clear that appellant, together with
an unidentified companion, blocked the path of the jeep. When it stopped, he approached Victor
and shot him pointblank. The latter was already kneeling on the ground when appellant shot him
once more in the head. The latter then approached Vicente, who was cowering at the back of the
jeep, and shot him too. The manner in which he carried out the attack spoke only too well of their
inability to defend themselves.

The mere fact that there was a feud between appellant and the victims did not necessarily
prove that the attack was expected If the victims had been expecting an attack, they should not
have brought the youngsters with them. In any event, an accused cannot escape the appreciation of
alevosia by threatening the victims in advance. What was decisive was the suddenness of the
attack, which made it impossible for the victims to retaliate, flee, or defend themselves.

PEOPLE vs ACURAM

G.R. No. 117954, April 27, 2000

Facts: One evening, the group of Roland Manabat was waiting for a ride at a national
highway. They flagged down an approaching jeepney which swerved dangerously towards them.
Rolando shouted invectives at the vehicle then a passenger shouted back. Thereafter, two gunshots
rang out and the jeepney speeded away Rolando was fatally wounded. The accused-appellant
admitted that he was on board the jeepney at the time of the incident and had a gun, but denied
firing the same. He was thereafter convicted of murder.

Issue: Whether the crime was committed with treachery when the crime was executed as a
result of an impetuous impulse, not a deliberate act of the will,

Held: Treachery cannot be appreciated when the shooting was done at the spur of the
moment. For treachery to be considered as an aggravating circumstance, there must be proof that
the accused consciously adopted a mode of attack to facilitate the perpetration of the crime
without risk to himself. Treachery cannot be appreciated where the accused shot the victim as a
result of a rash and impetuous impulse rather than from a deliberate act of the will. The shooting
was an instantaneous response to the damning curses shouted at the driver and passengers by the
victim.

PEOPLE vs PASCUAL

G.R. No. 127761, April 28, 2000

Facts: The victim, Dr. Picio, was at the house of a midwife, Marissa. When he decided to go
home, the latter accompanied him outside where his vehicle was parked. After boarding his vehicle.
two unidentified persons, armed with short firearms, suddenly appeared and approached the
victim. Alarmed, Marissa warned Dr. Picio. One of the armed men shoved Marissa out of the way
and immediately thereafter started shooting at the victim. The assailants pulled Dr. Picio out of his
vehicle and continued to shoot until he died. The two were later on identified and convicted of
murder.

Issue: Whether treachery attended the commission of the crime.

Held: The murder was attended by treachery. Dr. Picio only became aware of the assailants'
presence after he was warned by Marissa. Immediately, the victim was shot several times with the
accused purposely seeking the opportunity that their victim would not be in a position to defend
himself, as they shot him to death simultaneously. The fact that Dr. Picio was warned did not
negate the finding of treachery for the reason that this may still be appreciated even when the
victim was forewarned of the danger to his person. The essence of treachery is the suddenness and
unexpectedness of the assault without the slightest provocation on the part of the person attacked.

Illegal Possession of Firearms

Where the arresting officer failed to present the grenade to verification to the PNP
Firearms and Explosives Unit, the second element of the crime of illegal possession of firearms is
not proved specifically, the lack of a license to possess the said explosives (People v Cortez G.R. No.
131619-20 February 1, 2000)

Qualified Illegal Possession of Firearms vis-a vis Murder

Where an accused uses an unlicensed firearm in committing homicide or murder, he may

no longer be charged with what used to be the two separate offenses of homicide or murder under
the Revised Fenal Code and qualified illegal possession of firearms used in homicide or murder
under P.D. No. 1866. As amended by R.A. No. 8294, P.D. No. 1866 now mandates that the accused
w be prosecuted only for the crime of homicide or murder with the fact of illegal possession of
firearms being relegated to a mere special aggravating circumstance. Thus, illegal possession of
firearms may now be said to have taken a dual personality: in its simple form, it is an offense in
itself, but when any killing attends it, illegal possession of firearms is reduced to a mere aggravating
circumstance that must be alleged in the information in order to be appreciated in the
determination of the criminal liability of the accused. (People Lumilan G.R. No. 102706 January 25,
2000)

Entrapment vs Plantingof evidence

In entrapment, the criminal intent to commit the offense charged originates in the mind of
the accused and the law enforcement officials merely facilitate the commission of the offense, the
accused cannot justify his conduct. (Huggland v Lantin AM No. MTJ 98-1153 February 29, 2000)

GLOSSARY

Accessories - refer to parts of a firearm which may enhance or increase the operational efficiency
or accuracy of a firearm but will not constitute any of the major or minor internal parts thereof such
as, but not limited to, laser scope, telescopic sight and sound suppressor or silencer.

Ammunition - refers to a complete unfixed unit consisting of a bullet, gunpowder, cartridge case
and primer or loaded shell for use in any firearm.

Antique firearm - refers to any: (1) firearm which was manufactured at least seventy-five (75) years
prior to the current date but not including replicas; (2) firearm which is certified by the National
Museum of the Philippines to be curio or relic of museum interest; and (3) any other firearm which
derives a substantial part of its monetary value from the fact that it is novel, rare, bizarre or
because of its association with some historical figure, period or event.

Arms smuggling -refers to the import, export, acquisition, sale, delivery, movement or transfer of
firearms, their parts and components and ammunition, from or across the territory of one country
to that of another country which has not been authorized in accordance with domestic law in either
or both country/countries.

Authority to import - refers to a document issued by the Chief of the Philippine National Police
(PNP) authorizing the importation of firearms, or their parts, ammunition and other components.

Authorized dealer - refers to any person, legal entity, corporation, partnership or business entity
duly licensed by the Firearms and Explosive Office (FEO) of the PNP to engage in the business of
buying and selling ammunition, firearms or parte thereof, at wholesale or retail basis.

Authorized importer-refers to any person, legal entity, corporation, partnership or business duly
licensed by the FEO of the PNP to engage in the business of importing ammunition and firearms, or
parts thereof into the territory of the Republic of the Philippines for purposes of sale or distribution
under the provisions of this Act.
Authorized Manufacturer - refers to any person, legal entity, corporation, or partnership duly
licensed by the FEO of the PNP engage in the business of manufacturing firearms, and ammunition
or parts thereof for purposes of sale or distribution.

Confiscated Firearm - refers to a firearm that is Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA), and all other law
enforcement agencies by reason of their mandate and must be necessarily reported or turned over
to the PEO of the PNP.

Demilitarized firearm- refers to a firearm deliberately made taken into custody incapable of
performing its main purpose of firing a projectile.

Duty detail order -refers to a document issued by the juridical entity or employer wherein the
details of the disposition of firearm is spelled-out, thus indicating the name of the employee, the
firearm information, the specific duration and location of posting or assignment and the authorized
bonded firearm custodian for the jundical entity to whom such firearm is turned over after the
lapse of the order

Firearm - refers to any handheld or portable weapon, whether a small arm or light weapon, that
expels or is designed to expel a bullet, shot, slug, missile or any projectile, which is discharged by
means of expansive force of gases from burning gunpowder or other form of combustion or any
similar instrument or implement. For purposes of this Act, the barrel, frame or receiver is
considered a firearm.

Firearms Information Management System (FIMS)-refers to the compilation of all data and
information on firearms ownership and disposition for record purposes.

Forfeited firearm -refers to a firearm that is subject to forfeiture by reason of court order as
accessory penalty or for the disposition by the FEO of the PNP of firearms considered as
abandoned. Surrendered, confiscated or revoked in compliance with existing rules and regulations.

Gun club- refers to an organization duly registered with and accredited in good standing by the FEO
of the PNP which is established for the purpose of propagating responsible and safe gun ownership,
proper appreciation and use of firearms by its members, for the purpose of sports and shooting
competition, self- defense and collection purposes.

Gunsmith-refers to any person, legal entity, corporation, partnership or business duly licensed by
the FEO of the PNP to engage in the business of repairing firearms and other weapons or
constructing or assembling firearms and weapons from finished or manufactured parts thereof on a
per order basis and not in commercial quantities or of making minor parts for the purpose of
repairing or assembling said firearms or weapons.
Imitation firearm -refers to a replica of a firearm, or other device that is substantially similar in
coloration and overall appearance to an existing firearm as to lead a reasonable person to believe
that such imitation firearm is a real firearm.

Licensed citizen -refers to any Filipino who complies with the qualifications set forth in this Act and
duly issued with a license to possess or to carry firearms outside of the residence in accordance
with this Act.

Licensed, juridical entity -refers to corporations, organizations, businesses including security

agencies and local government units (LGUS) which are licensed to own and possess firearms in
accordance with this Act.

Light weapons are: Class-A Light weapons which refer to self- loading pistols, rifles and carbines,
submachine guns, assault rifles and light machine guns not exceeding caliber 7.62MM which have
fully automatic mode; and Class-B Light weapons which refer to weapons designed for use by two
(2) or more persons serving as a crew, or rifles and machine guns exceeding caliber 7.62MM such as
heavy machine guns, handheld under barrel and mounted grenade launchers, portable anti-aircraft
guns, portable anti-tank guns, recoilless rifles, portable launchers of anti-tank missile and rocket
systems, portable launchers of anti-aircraft missile systems, and mortars of a caliber of less than
100MM.

Long certificate of registration - refers to licenses issued to government agencies or offices or

government-owned or-controlled corporations for firearms to be used by their officials and
employees who are qualified to possess firearms as provider in this Act, excluding security guards.

Small arms- refer to firearms intended to be or primarily designed -individual use or that which is
generally considered to mean a Sapon intended to be fired from the hand or shoulder, which are t
capable of fully automatic bursts of discharge, such as:

Handgun - which is a firearm intended to be fired from the hand, hich includes:

A pistol- which is a hand-operated firearm having a chamber tegral with or permanently aligned
with the bore which may be elf-loading; and

Revolver- which is a hand-operated firearm with a revolving Cylinder containing chambers for
individual cartridges.

Rifle- which is a shoulder firearm or designed to be fired from the shoulder that can discharge a
bullet through a rifled barrel by different actions of loading, which may be classified as lever, bolt,
or self-loading; and

Shotgun - which is a weapon designed, made and intended to fire a number of ball shots or a single
projectile through a smooth bore by the action or energy from burning gunpowder.
Sports shooting competition- refers to a defensive, precision or practical sport shooting
competition duly authorized by the FEO of the PNP.

Tampered, obliterated or altered firearm- refers to any firearm whose serial number or other
identification or ballistics characteristics have been intentionally tampered with, obliterated or
altered without authority or in order to conceal its source, identity or ownership.

Thermal weapon sight - refers to a battery operated, uncooked thermal imaging device which
amplifies available thermal signatures so that the viewed scene becomes clear to the operator
which is used to locate and engage targets during daylight and from low light to total darkness and
operates in adverse conditions such as light rain, light snow, and dry smoke or in conjunction with
other optical and red dot sights.

PERSON BEHIND THE DEVELOPMENT OF F AND IT'S AMMUNITIONS FIREARMS

Col. Calvin Hooker Goddard M.D

He was the Father of Modern Ballistic, a He wrote former US Army, forensic scientist, an army
officer, academic researcher and pioneer in forensic ballistics in 1925. an article for the Army
ordinance titled "Forensic Ballistics'. In which he describe the use of the comparison microscope
regarding firearms investigation. Generally created with the conception of the term "Forensic
Ballistic, though he later admitted it to be an adequate name for the science.

Horace Smith

He was the founder the great firm Smith and Wesson and pioneered the making of the breech
loading rifles. A gunsmith, inventor, and businessman. He is the business partner of Daniel B.
Wesson who formed two companies named Smith and Wesson, the first of which was financed
in part by Oliver Winchester and was eventually reorganized into the Winchester Repeating
Company. He was employed by the U.S. Armory service from 1824 to 1842, when he moved to
Newton, Connecticut. He was employed by various gun maker up to the 1840s, when he moved
to Norwich, Connecticut. He is then listed as a partner of Cranston and Smith. It is known that
while in Norwich, he engaged in the manufacture of whaling guns and he is credited with the
invention of the explosive bullet used to kill whales.

Daniel Baird Wesson

He is an associated on partner of smith in revolver making of the famous firearms designer, a

co-founder of Smith & Wesson, and he is responsible for helping develop many influential
firearm designs. He was born on May 18, 1825, one of nine children belonging to Rufus and
Betsy (Baird) Wesson. He died August 4, 1906, from heart failure. He developed the Lever
pistol, as well as the first repeating rifle the Volcanic. They went into full production of Model
1.22 in caliber pistols in 1858. He also introduced a hammerless revolvers in the late 1800s.
John Moses Brownings

He was born on January 23, 1855 in Ogden, Utah, U.S.A. He passed away in Liege, Belgium, the
day after Thanksgiving, 1926. He died of heart failure. His first creation was a single shot rifle he
built at the age of 14 for his brother, Matt. Wizard of Modern Firearms and pioneered the
breech loading single short rifle, other guns that John Moses designed and which became best
sellers were: Winchester Model 1886 Lever Action Repeating Rifle, Model 1887 Lever Action
Repeating Shotgun, Model 1897 Pump Action Shotgun, Model 1894 Lever Action Repeating
Rifle, Model 1895 Lever Action Repeating Rifle, etc. He was the first to invent the slide which
encloses the barrel and the firing mechanism of a pistol. Browning patented 128 designs for
firearms and associated apparatuses. He invented the gas-operated machine gun, an
improvement over Maxim's recoil operation. All machine guns since 1895 have used Browning's
gas operation. He invented the 1911 model of the Colt .45 handgun, which is recoil-operated,
and was standard issue for the U. S. military from 1911 until 1985. It is still used by many
personnel today, and is one of the most popular handguns in the world. His design has not
changed at all functionally. He invented the lever action shotgun, based on Henry's rifle design
with a few moderations. Then, 6 years later in 1893, he invented the pump action shotgun. The
function of this action has not changed since. Then, 7 years later, he still managed to top
himself with the semiautomatic shotgun, the first ever. It is recoil-operated, and remained in
production, changing only cosmetically, for 98 years. He invented the 1919.30 machine gun,
and then even topped this with the 1921 .50 BMG. He also invented several cartridges still
popular today, the ACP rounds in 25, 32, 38, 380. 45; and the .50 BMG. He invented the
Browning Automatic Rifle, a fully automatic 30-06 and a street sweeper if there was one.

John Taliaferro Thompson

The son of Lt. Col. James Thompson and Maria Taliaferro, John T. Thompson was born on
December 31, 1860 in Newport, Kentucky. General John Thompson died on June 21, 1940 at
the age of 79. Pioneered the making of Thompson Submachine gun. Thompson saw in the
trench warfare of WWI that infantry needed a "trench broom," a weapon that could sweep
away all the enemy in front of the soldier, in the same way as the pump shotgun, but with even
more firepower. He used John Blish's delayed blowback breech lock, which enabled the
different metals of the weapon's moving parts to slide together under the intense pressure of
the round's discharge without sticking strongly together. In 1919, Thompson came up with the
Thompson submachine gun, chambered in the man-stopping 45 ACP round. Thompson's idea
for a "trench broom" was now real, even if trench warfare had been made obsolete. The
Thompson could fire at 600 to 1200 rounds a minute, with sufficient power to stop a 1942 Ford
Super Deluxe automobile.

David "Carbine" Williams

Maker of the first known Carbine. Designer of the short stroke piston. Williams created the 30
caliber M-1 carbine. He went to prison in 1921 for selling moonshine, when the raid on his still
resulted in an officer's death. Williams swore that he was not guilty, and his trial resulted in a
hung jury. However, he then confessed to 2nd degree murder, having fired at a sound without
knowing if it was a man or an animal.

Alexander John Forsyth

He was born in Belhelvie, in Aberdeenshire, in 1768, the son of a Presbyterian minister, whom
he was destined to follow into the clergy. He died on the 11th of June, 1843 Father of the
percussion ignition. He invented the percussion method of discharging a firearm, which along
with the evolution of the metallic cartridge case, was one of the most significant advances in
firearms technology.

Elisha King Root

He formerly assign at the machinery for making Colt Firearms. He was the inventor, engineer
manufacturer, born in Ludlow, Mass. In 1849 he became superintendent of the Colt Firearms
Company, eventually becoming president. He remained there until his death. He invented a
drop hammer in 1853, which was soon used in every forge.He also invented a revolving cylinder
firearm and developed numerous machines for tooling firearms.

Elephalet Remington II

He was born in October 28, 1793He created the first solid-steel rifles in America and the first
breach-loading guns. Remington weapons became extremely popular during the Civil War. One
of the first rifle makers. Designer of the Remington rifle who founded Remington Arms, which
was at one time the oldest manufacturer in North America. Before Fame he lacked the money
to buy a new rifle, so he made one in his metal shops and discovered it was even better than
store models. The founder what is now known as the Remington Arms Co., L.L.C.

John Mahlon Marlin

He was born in Boston Neck, near Windsor Locks, Hartford County, Connecticut as the son of
Mahlon Marlin and Jennette Bradford. He was an American firearms manufacturer and
inventor. Founder of Marlin Firearms Company.

James Wolfe Ripley

He was an American soldier, serving as a brigadier general in the Union Army during the Civil
War. He was born in Windham County, Connecticut. December 10, 1794.He died March 16,
1870 (aged 75). Stimulated the development of the model 1855 rifle musket.

Samuel Colt
 He was born on July 19, 1814 at Hartford, Connecticut, United States. Died on January 10, 1862
(aged 47) at Hartford, Connecticut, United States. He was an American and industrialist. The
founder of Colts Patent Firearms s Manufacturing Company(now known as Colt Manufacturing
Company), and is widely credited with popularizing the revolver. He produced the first practical
revolver. Colt never claimed to have invented the revolver as his design was merely a more
practical adaption of Colliers revolving Flintlock, which was patented in England and achieved
great popularity. He did not invent the revolver. But as a boy he saw that almost all firearms
were single-shot muzzleloaders, and thus, when a man had fired, he was a sitting duck for the
next 20 seconds, provided that he could reload that quickly. So he set about inventing "the
impossible gun," something that could fire repeatedly 5 or 6 times like Elisha Collier's revolving
flintlock, but would still be more reliable and faster to ver reload. The result was the 1836
percussion cap revolver, which saw widespread use in the American Civil War. It was the first
successful repeating firearm.

Henry Deringer

He was born in Easton, Pennsylvania on October 26, 1786. He was an American gunsmith He is
best known for inventing and giving his name to whole class of firearms, rifles and pistol. He
produced the Model 1814 Common Rifle and the Model 1817 Common Rifle. He produced
trade rifles, designated for the Native American tribes, to fulfill the U.S. treaty obligations. His
specialties became fine sporting rifles and dueling pistols.

John Cantius Garand

He was born on January 1, 1886 at S Rémi, Quebec, Canada And he died on February 16, 1974
(aged 86) at Springfield Massachusetts, US He was a Canadian American designer of firearms
who created the M1 Garand, a semi-automatic rifle that was widely used by the U.S. Army and
US Marine Corps during both World War II and the Korean War. Designated and invented the
semi automatic 6,5 Rifle caliber 30, M1 or Semiautomatic, Caliber 30, M1 Rifle The designer of
the M1 Garand, which the U. S. military used to great effect in WWII Korea and even Vietnam.
General George Patton famously called it, "the greatest battle implement ever devised." It was
the first successful semi-automatic rifle to be issued to the military of any country. It fired the
30- 06 Springfield round, an extremely powerful piece of hardware, which had been the
standard since 1906, when it was patented for the bolt-action Springfield.

Oliver Fisher Winchester

He was the son of Samuel Winchester and Hannah Bates and was born in Boston on November
30, 1810. He died on December 11, 1880 (age 70) at New Haven, Connecticut. He was an
American businessman and politician. One of the earliest rifles and pistols makers. Winchester
was known for manufacturing and marketing the Winchester repeating rifle. which was a much
re-designed descendant of the Volcanic rifle of some years earlier. Winchester started as a
clothing manufacturer in New York City and New Haven, Connecticut. During this period he
discovered that a division of Smith & Wesson firearms was failing financially with one of their
newly patented arms. Having an eye for opportunity, Winchester assembled venture capital
together with other stockholders and acquired the S&W division, better known as the Volcanic
Repeating Arms Company, in 1850. By 1857, Winchester had positioned himself as the principal
stockholder in the company and relocated to New Haven, changing the name to New Haven
Arms Company.

Richard Jordan Gatling

He was born in Hertford County, North Carolina in 1818. February 26, 1903 (aged 84) at New
York City, New York. He was an American inventor best known for his invention of the Gatling
gun, the first successful machine gun. He developed the hand-crank machine gun. A
development of duver Gatling type of machine gun. The designer of the first successful machine
gun, although not the first automatic machine gun. It was, in effect, a gigantic revolver of six
barrels operated by a hand crank. A bin of several hundred loose rounds (not belt-fed) was set
on top and gravity fed the ammunition into the breech, enabling someone who knew nothing
of firearms to lay a sheet of lead into an advancing army, at about 200 rounds a minute.

Oscar Mosberg

Immigrated to the U.S. from Sweden in 1886, but it took him awhile to become the pioneer of
American-made firearms that history recognizes today. At first, he gained employment working
in a friend's bicycle factory in Massachusetts. It wasn't until this friend, Iver Johnson, started
dabbling in the gun manufacturing business that Mossberg showed any interest in his signature
field. Maker of high quality caliber 22 rifle, sporting riffle and pump action shotgun..

Fedor Tokarev

He was born on June 14, 1871. He died on June 7,1968. He was a Russian weapons designer
and deputy of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR from 1937 to 1950. He is designated the service
pistols for soviet forces. He is best known as the designer of the Tokarev TT-30 and TT-33 self-
loading pistol and the Tokarev SVT-38 and SVT-40 self-loading rifle, both of which were
produced in large numbers during the German-Soviet War.

Sergei Ivanovich Mosin

He was born on April 14, 1849 Ramon, Voronezh Governorate He died on February 8, 1902
(aged 52). He was a Russian Army Colonel, engineer, and a designer of the Mosin-Nagant rifle
Mosin's rifle wasn't an overnight success. He began his work on the design in 1883. His primary
focus was on the development of a magazine fed infantry rifle. He submitted several designs for
internal fed magazine rifles to the commission in 1884 and 1885. His initial designs were in 10.6
mm. Between 1887 and 1889, working with the smaller calibers then coming into general use
among European armies, Mosin developed a 5-shot, straight-line magazine prototype in 7.62
mm; employing the antediluvian Russian measurements of the era it was designated 3-line
caliber. The liniya, or line is equivalent to 0. 10 in or 2.54 mm; therefore, 3 linii equals 7.62 mm
or 30 in. Lapin, "The Mosin Nagant Rifle.

Carl Wilhelm Freund Walthe

He was born on November 22, 1858.He died on July 9, 1915 (aged 56) Developed a reliable
small caliber automatic pistol in 1866. He was a German gunsmith from Zella-Mehliis, Saxe-
Coburg and Gotha, who founded the firm of Carl Walther GmbH Sportwaffen, generally known
as walther in 1886.

Georg Johann Luger

He was born on March 6, 1849 Steinach am Brenner Tylor. He died December 22, 1923(aged
74) Berlin, Germany. He Designed 9mm Parabelium and Cartridge.

APPENDICES

Republic of the Philippines

CONGRESS OF THE PHILIPPINES

Metro Manila Fifteenth Congress

Third Regular Session Begun and held in Metro Manila, on

Monday, the twenty-third day of July, two thousand twelve.

REPUBLIC ACT No. 10591

AN ACT PROVIDING FOR A COMPREHENSIVE LAW ON FIREARMS AND AMMUNITION AND

PROVIDING PENALTIES FOR VIOLATIONS THEREOF

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress

assembled: ARTICLE I TITLE, DECLARATION OF POLICY AND DEFINITION OF TERMS Section 1.
Short Title. This Act shall be known as the "Comprehensive Firearms and Ammunition
Regulation Act". Section 2. Declaration of State Policy. - It is the policy of the State to maintain
peace and order and protect the people against violence. The State also recognizes the right of
its qualified citizens to self- defense through, when it is the reasonable means to repel the
unlawful aggression under the circumstances, the use of firearms. Towards this end, the State
shall provide for a comprehensive law regulating the ownership, possession, carrying,
manufacture, dealing in and importation of firearms, ammunition, or parts thereof. in order to
provide legal support to law enforcement agencies in their campaign against crime, stop the
proliferation of illegal firearms or weapons and the illegal manufacture of firearms or weapons,
ammunition and parts thereof. Section 3. Definition of Terms. - As used in this Act: R. A. No.
10891 This Act shall be known as the "Comprehensive Firearms and Ammunition Regulation
Act" Scope (a) Accessories refer to parts of a firearm which may enhance or increase the
operational efficiency or accuracy of a firearm but will not constitute any of the major or minor
internal parts thereof such as, but not limited to, laser s telescopic sight and sound suppressor
or silencer. (b) Ammunition refers to a complete unfixed unit consisting of a bullet, gunpowder,
cartridge case and primer or loaded shell for use in any firearm. (c) Antique firearm refers to
any: (1) firearm which was manufactured at least seventy-five (75) years prior to the current
date but not including replicas; (2) firearm which is certified by the National Museum of the
Philippines to be curio or relic of museum interest; and (3) any other firearm which derives a
substantial part of its monetary value from the fact that it is novel, rare, bizarre or because of
its association with some historical figure, period or event. (d) Arms smuggling refers to the
import, export, acquisition, sale, delivery, movement or transfer of firearms, their parts and
components and ammunition, from or across the territory of one country to that of another
country which has not been authorized in accordance with domestic law in either or both
country/countries. (e) Authority to import refers to a document issued by the Chief of the
Philippine National Police (PNP) authorizing the importation of firearms, or their parts,
ammunition and other components. (f) Authorized dealer refers to any person, legal entity.
corporation, partnership or business entity duly licensed by the Firearms and Explosive Office
(FEO) of the PNP to engage in the business of buying and selling ammunition, firearms or parte
thereof, at wholesale or retail basis. (g) Authorized importer refers to any person, legal entity.
corporation, partnership or business duly licensed by the FEO of the PNP to engage in the
business of importing ammunition and firearms, or parts thereof into the territory of the
Republic of the Philippines for purposes of sale or distribution under the provisions of this Act.
(h) Authorized Manufacturer refers to any person, legal entity, corporation, or partnership duly
licensed by the FEO of the PNP to engage in the business of manufacturing firearms, and
ammunition or parts thereof for purposes of sale or distribution. 1âwphi1 (i) Confiscated
Firearm refers to a firearm that is taken into custody by the PNP, National Bureau of
Investigation (NBI), Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA), and all other law enforcement
agencies by reason of their mandate and must be necessarily reported or turned over to the
PEO of the PNP. (i) Demilitarized firearm refers to a firearm deliberately made incapable of
performing its main purpose of firing a projectile. (k) Duty detail order refers to a document
issued by the juridical entity or employer wherein the details of the disposition of firearm is
spelled-out, thus indicating the name of the employee, the firearm information, the specific
duration and location of posting or assignment and the authorized bonded firearm custodian
for the juridical entity to whom such firearm is turned over after the lapse of the order. (1)
Firearm refers to any handheld or portable weapon, whether a small arm or light weapon, that
expels or is designed to expel a bullet, shot, slug, missile or any projectile, which is discharged
by means of expansive force of gases from burning gunpowder or other form of combustion or
any similar instrument or implement. For purposes of this Act, the barrel, frame or receiver is
considered a firearm. (m) Firearms Information Management System (FIMS) refers to the
compilation of all data and information on firearms ownership and disposition for record
purposes. Forfeited firearm refers to a firearm that is subject to forfeiture by reason of court
order as accessory penalty or for the disposition by the FEO of the PNP of firearms considered
as abandoned, surrendered, confiscated or revoked in compliance with existing rules and
regulations. (0) Gun club refers to an organization duly registered with and accredited in good
standing by the FEO of the PNP which is established for the purpose of propagating responsible
and safe gun ownership, proper appreciation and use of firearms by its members, for the
purpose of sports and shooting competition, self-defense and collection purposes, (p) Gunsmith
refers to any person, legal entity, corporation, partnership or business duly licensed by the FEO
of the PNP to engage in the business of repairing firearms and other weapons or constructing or
assembling firearms and weapons from finished or manufactured parts thereof on a per order
basis and not in commercial quantities or of making minor parts for the purpose of repairing or
assembling said firearms or weapons. (q) Imitation firearm refers to a replica of a firearm, or
other device that is substantially similar in coloration and overall appearance to an existing
firearm as to lead a reasonable person to believe that such imitation firearm is a real firearm. (r)
Licensed citizen refers to any Filipino who complies with the qualifications set forth in this Act
and duly issued with a license to possess or to carry firearms outside of the residence in
accordance with this Act. (s) Licensed, juridical entity refers to corporations, organizations,
businesses including security agencies and local government units (LGUS) which are licensed to
own and possess firearms in accordance with this Act. (t) Light weapons are: Class-A Light
weapons which refer to self-loading pistols, rifles and carbines, submachine guns, assault rifles
and light machine guns not exceeding caliber 7.62MM which have fully automatic mode; and
Class-B Light weapons which refer to weapons designed for use by two (2) or more persons
serving as a crew, or rifles and machine guns exceeding caliber 7.62MM such as heavy machine
guns, handheld underbarrel and mounted grenade launchers, portable anti-aircraft guns,
portable anti-tank guns, recoilless rifles, portable launchers of anti- tank missile and rocket
systems, portable launchers of anti- aircraft missile systems, and mortars of a caliber of less
than 100MM. (u) Long certificate of registration refers to licenses issued to government
agencies or offices or government-owned or -controlled corporations for firearms to be used by
their officials and employees who are qualified to possess firearms as provider in this Act,
excluding security guards. (v) Loose firearm refers to an unregistered firearm, an obliterated or
altered firearm, firearm which has been lost or stolen, illegally manufactured firearms,
registered firearms in the possession of an individual other than the licensee and those with
revoked licenses in accordance with the rules and regulations. (w) Major part or components of
a firearm refers to the barrel, slide, frame, receiver, cylinder or the bolt assembly. The term also
includes any part or kit designed and intended for use in converting a semi-automatic burst to a
full automatic firearm. (x) Minor parts of a firearm refers to the parts of the firearm other than
the major parts which are necessary to effect and complete the action of expelling a projectile
by way of combustion, except those classified as accessories. Permit to carry firearm outside
of residence refers to a written authority issued to a licensed citizen by the Chief of the PNP
which entitles such person to carry his/her registered or lawfully issued firearm outside of the
residence for the duration and purpose specified in the authority. (z) Permit to transport
firearm refers to a written authority issued to a licensed citizen or entity by the Chief of the PNP
or by a PNP Regional Director which entitles such person or entity to transport a particular
firearm from and to a specific location within the duration and purpose in the authority. (aa)
Residence refers to the place or places of abode of the licensed citizen as indicated in his/her
license. (bb) Shooting range refers to a facility established for the purpose of firearms training
and skills development, firearm testing, as well as for sports and competition shooting either
for the exclusive use of its members or open to the general public, duly registered with and
accredited in good standing by the FEO of the PNP (cc) Short certificate of registration refers to
a certificate issued by the FEO of the PNP for a government official or employee who was issued
by his/her employer department, agency or government-owned or -controlled corporation a
firearm covered by the long certificate of registration. (dd) Small arms refer to firearms
intended to be or primarily designed for individual use or that which is generally considered to
mean a weapon intended to be fired from the hand or shoulder, which are not capable of fully
automatic bursts of discharge, such as: (1) Handgun which is a firearm intended to be fired from
the hand, which includes: (1) A pistol which is a hand-operated firearm having a chamber
integral with or permanently aligned with the bore which may be self-loading; and (ii) Revolver
which is a hand-operated firearm with a revolving cylinder containing chambers for individual
cartridges. (2) Rifle which is a shoulder firearm or designed to be fired from the shoulder that
can discharge a bullet through a rifled barrel by different actions of loading, which may be
classified as lever, bolt, or self-loading; and (3) Shotgun which is a weapon designed, made and
intended to fire a number of ball shots or a single projectile through a smooth bore by the
action or energy from burning gunpowder. (ee) Sports shooting competition refers to a
defensive, precision or practical sport shooting competition duly authorized by the FEO of the
PNP. (ff) Tampered, obliterated or altered firearm refers to any firearm whose serial number or
other identification or ballistics characteristics have been intentionally tampered with,
obliterated or altered without authority or in order to conceal its source, identity or ownership.
(gg) Thermal weapon sight refers to a battery operated, uncooled thermal imaging device which
amplifies available thermal signatures so that the viewed scene becomes clear to the operator
which is used to locate and engage targets during daylight and from low light to total darkness
and operates in adverse conditions such as light rain, light snow, and dry smoke or in
conjunction with other optical and red dot sights. ARTICLE II OWNERSHIP AND POSSESSION OF
FIREARMS Section 4. Standards and Requisites for Issuance of and Obtaining a License to Own
and Possess Firearms. - In order to qualify and acquire a license to own and possess a firearm or
firearms and ammunition, the applicant must be a Filipino citizen, at least twenty- one (21)
years old and has gainful work, occupation or business or has filed an Income Tax Return (ITR)
for the preceding year as proof of income, profession, business or occupation. In addition, the
applicant shall submit the following certification issued by appropriate authorities attesting the
following: (a) The applicant has not been convicted of any crime involving moral turpitude; (b)
The applicant has passed the psychiatric test administered by a PNP-accredited psychologist or
psychiatrist; (c) The applicant has passed the drug test conducted by an accredited and
authorized drug testing laboratory or clinic; (d) The applicant has passed a gun safety seminar
which is administered by the PNP or a registered and authorized gun club (e) The applicant has
filed in writing the application to possess a registered firearm which shall state the personal
circumstances of the applicant (1) The applicant must present a police clearance from the city
or municipality police office; and (g) The applicant has not been convicted or is currently an
accused in a pending criminal case before any court of law for a crime that is punishable with a
penalty of more than two (2) years. For purposes of this Act, an acquittal or permanent
dismissal of a criminal case before the courts of law shall qualify the accused thereof to qualify
and acquire a license. The applicant shall pay the reasonable licensing fees as may be provided
in the implementing rules and regulations of this Act. An applicant who intends to possess a
firearm owned by a juridical entity shall submit his/her duty detail order to the FEO of the PNP.
Section 5. Ownership of Firearms and Ammunition by a Juridical Entity. - A juridical person
maintaining its own security force may be issued a regular license to own and possess firearms
and ammunition under the following conditions: (a) It must be Filipino-owned and duly
registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC); (b) It is current, operational and
a continuing concern; (c) it has completed and submitted all its reportorial requirements to the
SEC, and (d) It has paid all its income taxes for the year, as duly certified by the Bureau of
Internal Revenue. The application shall be made in the name of the juridical person represented
by its President or any of its officers mentioned below as duly authorized in a board resolution
to that effect: Provided, That the officer applying for the juridical entity, shall possess all the
qualifications required of a citizen applying for a license to possess firearms. Other corporate
officers eligible to represent the juridical person are: the vice president, treasurer, and board
secretary. Security agencies and LGUS shall be included in this category of licensed holders but
shall be subject to additional requirements as may be required by the Chief of the PNP. Section
6. Ownership of Firearms by the National Government. - All firearms owned by the National
Government shall be registered with the FEO of the PNP in the name of the Republic of the
Philippines. Such registration shall be exempt from all duties and taxes that may otherwise be
levied on other authorized owners of firearms. For reason of national security, firearms of the
Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), Coast Guard and other law enforcement agencies shall
only be reported to the FEO of the PNP. Section 7. Carrying of Firearms Outside of Residence or
Place of Business. A permit to carry firearms outside of residence shall be issued by the Chief of
the PNP or his/her duly authorized representative to any qualified person whose life is under
actual threat or his/her life is in imminent danger due to the nature of his/ her profession,
occupation or business. It shall be the burden of the applicant to prove that his/her life is under
actual threat by submitting a threat assessment certificate from the PNP. For purposes of this
Act, the following professionals are considered to be in imminent danger due to the nature of
their profession, occupation or business: (a) Members of the Philippine Bar (b) Certified Public
Accountants; (c) Accredited Media Practitioners; (d) Cashiers, Bank Tellers; (e) Priests,
Ministers, Rabbi, Imams; (f) Physicians and Nurses; (g) Engineers; and (h) Businessmen, who by
the nature of their business or undertaking, are exposed to high risk of being targets of criminal
elements. ARTICLE III REGISTRATION AND LICENSING Section 8. Authority to Issue License. - The
Chief of the PNP through the FEO of the PNP, shall issue licenses to qualified individuals and to
cause the registration of firearms. Section 9. Licenses Issued to Individuals. Subject to the 1
requirements set forth in this Act and payment of required fees to be determined by the Chief
of the PNP, a qualified individual may be issued the appropriate license under the following
categories; Type 1 License - allows a citizen to own and possess a maximum of two (2)
registered firearms; Type 2 License - allows a citizen to own and possess a maximum of five (5)
registered firearms; Type 3 License - allows a citizen to own and possess a maximum of ten (10)
registered firearms; Type 4 License - allows a citizen to own and possess maximum of fifteen
(15) registered firearms; and a Type 5 License - allows a citizen, who is a certified gun collector,
to own and possess more than fifteen (15) registered firearms. For Types 1 to 5 licenses, a vault
or a container secured by lock and key or other security measures for the safekeeping of
firearms shall be required. For Types 3 to 5 licenses, the citizen must comply with the inspection
and bond requirements.

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Section 10. Firearms That May Be Registered. - Only small arms may be registered by licensed
citizens or licensed juridical entities for ownership, possession and concealed carry. A light
weapon shall be lawfully acquired or possessed exclusively by the AFP, the PNP and other law
enforcement agencies authorized by the President in the performance of their duties: Provided,
That private individuals who already have licenses to possess Class-A light weapons upon the
effectivity of this Act shall not be deprived of the privilege to continue possessing the same and
renewing the licenses therefor, for the sole reason that these firearms are Class "A" light
weapons, and shall be required to comply with other applicable provisions of this Act. Section
11. Registration of Firearms. The licensed citizen or licensed juridical entity shall register
his/her/its firearms so purchased with the FEO of the PNP in accordance with the type of
license such licensed citizen or licensed juridical entity possesses. A certificate of registration of
the firearm shall be issued upon payment of reasonable fees. For purposes of this Act,
registration refers to the application, approval, record-keeping and monitoring of firearms with
the FEO of the PNP in accordance with the type of license issued to any person under Section 9
of this Act. Section 12. License to Possess Ammunition Necessarily Included. -The licenses
granted to qualified citizens or juridical entities as provided in Section 9 of this Act shall include
the license to possess ammunition with a maximum of fifty (50) rounds for each registered
firearm: Provided; That the FEO of the PNP may allow more ammunition to be possessed by
licensed sports shooters. Section 13. Issuance of License to Manufacture or Deal In Firearms
and Ammunition. - Any person desiring to manufacture or deal in firearms, parts of firearms or
ammunition thereof, or instruments and implements used or intended to be used in the
manufacture of firearms, parts of firearms or ammunition, shall make an application to: (a) The
Secretary of the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) in the case of an
application for a license to manufacture; and (b) The Chief of the PNP in the case of a license to
deal in firearms and firearms parts, ammunition and gun repair. The applicant shall state the
amount of capitalization for manufacture or cost of the purchase and sale of said articles
intended to be transacted by such applicant; and the types of firms, ammunition or implements
which the applicant intends to manufacture or purchase and sell under the license applied for;
and such additional information as may be especially requested by the Secretary of the DILG or
the Chief of the PNP The Secretary of the DILG or the Chief of the PNP may approve or
disapprove such application based on the prescribed guidelines. In the case of approval, the
Secretary of the DILG or the Chief of the PNP shall indicate the amount of the bond to be
executed by the applicant before the issuance of the license and the period of time by which
said license shall be effective, unless sooner revoked by their authority. Upon approval of the
license to manufacture or otherwise deal in firearms by the Secretary of the DILG or the Chief
of the PNP as the case may be, the same shall be transmitted to the FEO of the PNP which shall
issue the license in accordance with the approved terms and conditions, upon the execution
and delivery by the applicant of the required bond conditioned upon the faithful compliance on
the part of the licensee to the laws and regulations relative to the business licensed. Section 14.
Scope of License to Manufacture Firearms and Ammunition. The scope of the License to
Manufacture firearms and ammunition shall also include the following: (a) The authority to
manufacture and assemble firearms, ammunition, spare parts and accessories, ammunition
components, and reloading of ammunitions, within sites, areas, and factories stated therein.
The Secretary of the DILG shall approve such license; (b) The license to deal in or sell all the
items covered by the License to Manufacture, such as parts, firearms or ammunition and
components; (c) The authority to subcontract the manufacturing of parts and accessories
necessary for the firearms which the manufacturer is licensed to manufacture: Provided. That
the subcontractor of major parts or major components is also licensed to manufacture firearms
and ammunition; and (d) The authority to import machinery, equipment, and firearm parts and
ammunition components for the manufacture thereof. Firearm parts and ammunition
components to be imported shall, however, be limited to those authorized to be manufactured
as reflected in the approved License to Manufacture. The Import Permit shall be under the
administration of the PNP. A licensed manufacturer of ammunition is also entitled to import
various reference firearms needed to test the ammunition manufactured under the License to
Manufacture. A licensed manufacturer of firearms, on the other hand, is entitled to import
various firearms for reference, test and evaluation for manufacture of similar, types of firearms
covered by the License to Manufacture. Anexport permit shall, however, be necessary to
exportmanufactured parts or finished products of firearms and ammunition. The Export Permit
of firearms and ammunition shall be under the administration of the PNP. Section 15.
Registration of Locally Manufactured and Imported Firearms. Local manufacturers and
importers of firearms and major parts thereof shall register the same as follows: (a) For locally
manufactured firearms and major parts thereof, the initial registration shall be done at the
manufacturing facility: Provided. That firearms intended for export shall no longer be subjected
to ballistic identification procedures; and (b) For imported firearms and major parts thereof, the
registration shall be done upon arrival at the FEO of the PNP storage facility. Section 16. License
and Scope of License to Deal. - The License to Deal authorizes the purchase, sale and general
business in handling firearms and ammunition, major and minor parts of frearms, accessories,
spare parts, components, and reloading machines, which shall be issued by the Chief of the
PNP. Section 17. License and Scope of License for Gunsmiths. - The license for gunsmiths shall
allow the grantee to repair registered firearms. The license shall include customization of
firearms from finished or manufactured parts thereof on per order basis and not in commercial
quantities and making the minor parts thereof, l.e pins, triggers, trigger bows, sights and the
like only for the purpose of repairing the registered firearm. The license for gunsmiths shall be
issued by the Chief of the PNP. Section 18. Firearms for Use in Sports and Competitions. - A
qualified individual shall apply for a permit to transport his/her registered firearm/s from
his/her residence to the firing range/s and competitic sites as may be warranted. Section 19.
Renewal of Licenses and Registration. - All types of licenses to possess a firearm shall be
renewed every two (2) years. Failure to renew the license on or before the date of its expiration
shall cause the revocation of the license and of the registration of the firearm/s under said
licensee. The registration of the firearm shall be renewed every four (4) years. Failure to renew
the registration of the firearm on or before the date of expiration shall cause the revocation of
the license of the firearm. The said firearm shall be confiscated or forfeited in favor of the
government after due process. The failure to renew a license or registration within the periods
stated above on two (2) occasions shall cause the holder of the firearm to be perpetually
disqualified from applying for any firearm license. The application for the renewal of the license
or registration may be submitted to the FEO of the PNP, within six (6) months before the date
of the expiration of such license or registration. Section 20. Inspection and Inventory. his/her
authorized representative shall require the submission of - The Chief of the PNP or reports,
inspect or examine the inventory and records of a licensed manufacturer, dealer or importer of
firearms and ammunition during reasonable hours. ARTICLE IV ACQUISITION, DEPOSIT OF
FIREARMS, ABANDONED, DEMILITARIZED AND ANTIQUE FIREARMS Section 21. Acquisition or
Purchase and Sale of Firearms and Ammunition. - Firearms and ammunition may only be
acquired or purchased from authorized dealers, importers or local manufacturers and may be
transferred or sold only from a licensed citizen or licensed juridical entity to another licensed
citizen or licensed juridical entity: Provided, That, during election periods, the sale and
registration of firearms and ammunition and the issuance of the corresponding licenses to
citizens shall be allowed on the condition that the transport or delivery thereof shall strictly
comply with the issuances, resolutions, rules and regulations promulgated by the Commission
on Elections. Section 22. Deposit of Firearms by Persons Arriving From Abroad. - A person
arriving in the Philippines who is legally in possession of any firearm or ammunition in his/her
country of origin and who has declared the existence of the firearm upon embarkation and
disembarkation but whose firearm is not registered in the Philippines in accordance with this
Act shall deposit the same upon written receipt with the Collector of Customs for delivery to
the FEO of the PNP for safekeeping, or for the issuance of a permit to transport if the person is
a competitor in a sports shooting competition. If the importation of the same is allowed and the
party in question desires to obtain a domestic firearm license, the same should be undertaken
in accordance with the provisions of this Act. If no license is desired or leave to import is not
granted, the firearm or ammunition in question shall remain in the custody of the FEO of the
PNP until otherwise disposed of in-accordance with law. Section 23. Return of Firearms to
Owner upon Departure from the Philippines. - Upon the departure from the Philippines of any
person whose firearm or ammunition is in the custody of the FEO of the PNP, the same shall,
upon timely request, be delivered to the person through the Collector of Customs. In the case
of a participant in a local sports shooting competition, the firearm must be presented to the
Collector of Customs before the same is allowed to be loaded on board the carrier on which the
person is to board. Section 24. Safekeeping of Firearms and Ammunition. - Any licensee may
deposit a registered firearm to the FEO of the PNP, or any Police Regional Office for
safekeeping. Reasonable fees for storage shall be imposed. Section 25. Abandoned Firearms
and Ammunition. Any firearm or ammunition deposited in the custody of the FEO of the PNP
pursuant to the provisions of this Act, shall be deemed to have been abandoned by the owner
or his/her authorized representative if he/she failed to reclaim the same within five (5) years or
failed to advise the FEO of the PNP of the disposition to be made thereof. Thereafter, the FEO
of the PNP may dispose of the same after compliance with established procedures. Section 26.
Death or Disability of Licensee. - Upon the death or legal disability of the holder of a firearm
license, it shall be the duty of his/her next of kin, nearest relative, legal representative, or other
person who shall knowingly come into possession of such firearm or ammunition, to deliver the
same to the FEO of the PNP or Police Regional Office, and such firearm or ammunition shall be
retained by the police custodian pending the issuance of a license and its registration in
accordance, with this Act. The failure to deliver the firearm or ammunition within six (6) months
after the death or legal disability of the licensee shall render the possessor liable for illegal
possession of the firearm. Section 27. Antique Firearm. - Any person who possesses an antique
firearm shail register the same and secure a collector's license from the FEO of the PNP. Proper
storage of antique firearm shall be strictly imposed. Noncompliance of this provision shall be
considered as illegal possession of the firearm as penalized in this Act. ARTICLE V PENAL
PROVISIONS Section 28. Unlawful Acquisition, or Possession of Firearms and Ammunition. - The
unlawful acquisition, possession of firearms and ammunition shall be penalized as follows: (a)
The penalty of prision mayor in its medium period shall be imposed upon any person who shall
unlawfully acquire or possess a small arm; (b) The penalty of reclusion temporal to reclusion
perpetua shall be imposed if three (3) or more small arms or Class-A light weapons are
unlawfully acquired or possessed by any person: (c) The penalty of prision mayor in its
maximum period shall be imposed upon any person who shall unlawfully acquire or possess a
Class-A light weapon; (d) The penalty of reclusion perpetua shall be imposed upon any person
who shall, unlawfully acquire or possess a Class-B light weapon; (e) The penalty of one (1)
degree higher than that provided in paragraphs (a) to (c) in this section shall be imposed upon
any person who shall unlawfully possess any firearm under any or combination of the following
conditions: (1) Loaded with ammunition or inserted with a loaded magazine; (2) Fitted or
mounted with laser or any gadget used to guide the shooter to hit the target such as thermal
weapon sight (TWS) and the like: (3) Fitted or mounted with sniper scopes, firearm muffler or
firearm silencer; (4) Accompanied with an extra barrel; and (5) Converted to be capable of firing
full automatic bursts. (f) The penalty of prision mayor in its minimum period shall be imposed
upon any person who shall unlawfully acquire or possess a major part of a small arm; (g) The
penalty of prision mayor in its minimum period shall be imposed upon any person who shall
unlawfully acquire or possess ammunition for a small arm or Class-A light weapon. If the
violation of this paragraph is committed by the same person charged with the unlawful
acquisition or possession of a small arm, the former violation shall be absorbed by the latter, (h)
The penalty of prision mayor in its medium period shall be imposed upon any person who shall
unlawfully acquire or possess a major part of a Class-A light weapon; () The penalty of prision
mayor in its medium period shall be imposed upon any person who shall unlawfully acquire or
possess ammunition for a Class-A light weapon. If the violation of this paragraph is committed
by the same person charged with the unlawful acquisition or possession of a Class-A light
weapon, the former violation shall be absorbed by the latter: The penalty of prision mayor in its
maximum period shall be imposed upon any person who shall unlawfully acquire or possess a
major part of a Class-B light weapon; and (k) The penalty of prision mayor in its maximum
period shall be imposed upon any person who shall unlawfully acquire or possess ammunition
for a Class-B light weapon. If the violation of this paragraph is committed by the same person
charged with the unlawful acquisition or possession of a Class-B light weapon, the former
violation shall be absorbed by the latter. Section 29. Use of Loose Firearm in the Commission of
a Crime. - The use of a loose firearm, when inherent in the commission of a crime punishable
under the Revised Penal Code or other special laws, shall be considered as an aggravating
circumstance: Provided, That if the crime committed with the use of a loose firearm is penalized
by the law with a maximum penalty which is lower than that prescribed in the preceding
section for illegal possession of firearm, the penalty for illegal possession of firearm shall be
imposed in lieu of the penalty for the crime charged: Provided, further, That if the crime
committed with the use of a loose firearm is penalized by the law with a maximum penalty
which is equal to that imposed under the preceding section for illegal possession of firearms,
the penalty of prision mayor in its minimum period shall be imposed in addition to the penalty
for the crime punishable under the Revised Penal Code or other special laws of which he/she is
found guilty. If the violation of this Act is in furtherance of, or incident to, or in connection with
the crime of rebellion of insurrection, or attempted coup d'etat, such violation shall be
absorbed as an element of the crime of rebellion or insurrection, or attempted coup d'etat. If
the crime is committed by the person without using the loose firearm, the violation of this Act
shall be considered as a distinct and separate offense. Section 30. Liability of Juridical Person.
The penalty of prision mayor in its minimum to prision mayor in its medium period shall be
imposed upon the owner, president, manager, director or other responsible officer of/any
public or private firm, company, corporation or entity who shall willfully or knowingly allow any
of the firearms owned by such firm, company, corporation or entity to be used by any person or
persons found guilty of violating the provisions of the preceding section, or willfully or
knowingly allow any of them to use unregistered firearm or firearms without any legal authority
to be carried outside of their residence in the course of their employment. Section 31. Absence
of Permit to Carry Outside of Residence. - The penalty of prision correccional and a fine of Ten
thousand pesos (P10,000.00) shall be imposed upon any person who is licensed to own a
firearm but who shall carry the registered firearm outside his/ her residence without any legal
authority therefor. Section 32. Unlawful Manufacture, Importation, Sale or Disposition of
Firearms or Ammunition or Parts Thereof, Machinery, Tool or Instrument Used or Intended to
be Used in the Manufacture of Firearms, Ammunition or Parts Thereof. The penalty of reclusion
temporal to reclusion perpetua shall be imposed upon any person who shall unlawfully engage
in the manufacture, importation, sale or disposition of a firearm or ammunition, or a major part
of a firearm or ammunition, or machinery, tool or instrument used or intended to be used by
the same person in the manufacture of a firearm, ammunition, or a major part thereof. The
possession of any machinery, tool or instrument used directly by any person whose business,
employment or activity does not in the manufacture of firearms, ammunition, or major parts
thereof lawfully deal with the possession of such article, shall be prima facie

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evidence that such article is intended to be used in the unlawful or Illegal manufacture of
firearms, ammunition or parts thereof. The penalty of prision mayor in its minimum period to
prision mayor in its medium period shall be imposed upon any laborer, worker or employee of a
licensed firearms dealer who shall unlawfully take, sell or otherwise dispose of parts of firearms
or ammunition which the company manufactures and sells, and other materials used by the
company in the manufacture or sale of firearms or ammunition. The buyer or possessor of such
stolen part or material, who is aware that such part or material was stolen, shall suffer the
same penalty as the laborer, worker or employee. If the violation or offense is committed by a
corporation, partnership, association or other juridical entity, the penalty provided for in this
section shall be imposed upon the directors, officers, employees or other officials or persons
therein who knowingly and willingly participated in the unlawful act. Section 33. Arms
Smuggling. The penalty of reclusion perpetua shall be imposed upon any person who shall
engage or participate in arms smuggling as defined in this Act. Section 34. Tampering,
Obliteration or Alteration of Firearms Identification - The penalty of prision correccional to
prision mayor in its minimum period shall be imposed upon any person who shall tamper,
obliterate or alter without authority the barrel, slide, frame, receiver, cylinder, or bolt
assembly, including the name of the maker, model, or serial number of any firearm, or who
shall replace without authority the barrel, slide, frame, receiver, cylinder, or bolt assembly,
including its individual or peculiar identifying characteristics essential in forensic examination of
a firearm or light weapon. The PNP shall place this information, including its individual or
peculiar identifying characteristics into the database of integrated firearms identification
system of the PNP Crime Laboratory for future use and identification of a particular firearm.
Section 35. Use of an Imitation Firearm. - An imitation firearm used in the commission of a
crime shall be considered a real firearm as defined in this Act and the person who committed
the crime shall be punished in accordance with this Act: Provided, That injuries caused on the
occasion of the conduct of competitions, sports, games, or any recreation activities involving
imitation firearms shall not be punishable under this Act. Section 36. In Custodia Legis. - During
the pendency of any case filed in violation of this Act, seized firearm, ammunition, or parts
thereof, machinery, tools or instruments shall remain in the custody of the court. If the court
decides that it has no adequate means to safely keep the same, the court shall issue an order to
turn over to the PNP Crime Laboratory such firearm, ammunition, or parts thereof, machinery,
tools or instruments in its custody during the pendency of the case and to produce the same to
the court when so ordered. No bond shall be admitted for the release of the firearm,
ammunition or parts thereof, machinery, tool or instrument. Any violation of this paragraph
shall be punishable by prision mayor in its minimum period to prision mayor in its medium
period. Section 37. Confiscation and Forfeiture. - The imposition of penalty for any violation of
this Act shall carry with it the accessory penalty of confiscation and forfeiture of the firearm,
ammunition, or parts thereof, machinery, tool or instrument in favor of the government which
shall be disposed of in accordance with law. Section 38. Liability for Planting Evidence. - The
penalty of prision mayor in its maximum period shall be imposed upon any person who shall
willfully and maliciously insert; place, and/or attach, directly or indirectly, through any overt or
covert act, any firearm, or ammunition, or parts thereof in the person, house, effects, or in the
immediate vicinity of an innocent individual for the purpose of implicating or incriminating the
person, or imputing the commission of any violation of the provisions of this Act to said
individual. If the person found guilty under this paragraph is a public officer or employee, such
person shall suffer the penalty of reclusion perpetua. Section 39. Grounds for Revocation,
Cancellation or Suspension of License or Permit. - The Chief of the PNP or his/her authorized
representative may revoke, cancel or suspend a license or permit on the following grounds: (a)
Commission of a crime or offense involving the firearm, ammunition, of major parts thereof; (b)
Conviction of a crime involving moral turpitude or any offense where the penalty carries an
imprisonment of more than six (6) years; (c) Loss of the firearm, ammunition, or any parts
thereof through negligence; (d) Carrying of the firearm, ammunition, or major parts thereof
outside of residence or workplace without, the proper permit to carry the same; (e) Carrying of
the firearm, ammunition, or major parts thereof in prohibited places; (f) Dismissal for cause
from the service in case of government official and employee; (g) Commission of any of the acts
penalized under Republic Act No. 9165, otherwise known as the "Comprehensive Dangerous
Drugs Act of 2002"; (h) Submission of falsified documents or misrepresentation in the
application to obtain a license or permit; (1) Noncompliance of reportorial requirements; and (j)
By virtue of a court order. Section 40. Failure to Notify Lost or Stolen Firearm or Light Weapon. -
A fine of Ten thousand pesos (P10,000.00) shall be imposed upon any licensed firearm holder
who fails to report to the FEO of the PNP that the subject firearm has been lost or stolen within
a period of thirty (30) days from the date of discovery. Likewise, a fine of Five thousand pesos
(P5,000.00) shall be imposed upon any person holding a valid firearm license who changes
residence or office address other than that indicated in the license card and fails within a period
of thirty (30) days from said transfer to notify the FEO of the PNP of such change of address
Section 41. Illegal Transfer/Registration of Firearms. It shall be unlawful to transfer possession
of any firearm to any person who has not yet obtained or secured the necessary license or
permit thereof. The penalty of prision correctional shall be imposed upon any person who shall
violate the provision of the preceding paragraph. In addition, he/she shall be disqualified to
apply for a license to possess other firearms and all his/her existing firearms licenses whether
for purposes of commerce or possession, shall be revoked. If government-issued firearms,
ammunition or major parts of firearms or light weapons are unlawfully disposed, sold or
transferred by any law enforcement agent or public officer to private individuals, the penalty of
reclusion temporal shall be imposed. Any public officer or employee or any person who shall
facilitate the registration of a firearm through fraud, deceit, misrepresentation or submission of
falsified documents shall suffer the penalty of prision. correctional. ARTICLE VI FINAL
PROVISIONS Section 42. Firearms Repository. - The FEO of the PNP shall be the sole repository
of all firearms records to include imported and locally manufactured firearms and ammunition.
Within one (1) year upon approval of this Act, all military and law enforcement agencies,
government agencies, LGUS and government-owned or -controlled corporations shall submit an
inventory of all their firearms and ammunition to the PNP. Section 43. Final Amnesty. - Persons
in possession of unregistered firearms and holders of expired license or unregistered firearms
shall register and renew the same through the Final General Amnesty within six (6) months
from the promulgation of the implementing rules and regulations of this Act. During the interim
period of six (6) months, no person applying for license shall be charged of any delinquent
payment accruing to the firearm subject for registration. The PNP shall conduct an intensive
nationwide campaign to ensure that the general public is properly informed of the provisions of
this Act. Section 44. Implementing Rules and Regulations. Within one hundred twenty (120)
days from the effectivity of this Act, the Chief of the PNP, after public hearings and consultation
with concerned sectors of society shall formulate the necessary rules and regulations for the
effective implementation of this Act to be published in at least two (2) national newspapers of
general circulation. Section 45. Repealing Clause. This Act repeals Sections 1, 2,5 and 7 of
Presidential Decree No. 1866, as amended, and Section 6 of Republic Act No. 8294 and all other
laws, executive orders, letters of instruction, issuances, circulars, administrative orders rules or
regulations that are inconsistent herewith. Section 46. Separability Clause. - If any provision of
this Act or any part hereof is held invalid or unconstitutional, the remainder of the law or the
provision not otherwise affected shall remain valid and subsisting. Section 47. Effectivity. - This
Act shall take effect after fifteen (15) days from its publication in a newspaper of nationwide
circulation." Approved, (Sgd.) JUAN PONCE ENRILE (Sgd.) FELICIANO BELMONTE JR. Speaker of
the House of Representatives President of the Senate This Act which is a consolidation of
Senate Bill No. 3397 and House Bill No. 5484 was finally passed by the Senate and the House of
Representatives on February 4, 2013 and February 5, 2013, respectively. (Sgd.) EDWIN B.
BELLEN Acting Senate Secretary (Sgd.) MARILYN B. BARUA-YAP Secretary General House of
Representatives Approved: May 29, 2013 (Sgd.) BENIGNO S. AQUINO III President of the
Philippines REPUBLIC ACT NO. 8294 AN ACT AMENDING THE PROVISIONS OF PRESIDENTIAL
DECREE NO. 1866, AS AMENDED, ENTITLED "CODIFYING THE LAWS ON ILLEGAL/UNLAWFUL
POSSESSION, MANUFACTURE, DEALING IN, ACQUISITION OR DISPOSITION OF FIREARMS,
AMMUNITION OR EXPLOSIVES OR INSTRUMENTS USED IN THE MANUFACTURE OF FIREARMS,
AMMUNITION OR EXPLOSIVES, AND IMPOSING STIFFER PENALTIES FOR CERTAIN VIOLATIONS
THEREOF, AND FOR RELEVANT PURPOSES." Section 1. Sec. 1 Presidential Decree No. 1866, as
amended, is hereby further amended to read as follows: "Sec. 1. Unlawful manufacture, sale,
acquisition, disposition. or possession of firearms or ammunition or instruments used or
intended to be used in the manufacture of firearms or ammunition. The penalty of prision
correccional in its maximum period and a fine of not less than Fifteen thousand pesos (P15,000)
shall be imposed upon any person who shall unlawfully manufacture, deal in, acquire, dispose,
or possess any low powered firearm, such as rimfire handgun, 380 or 32 and other firearm of
similar firepower, part of firearm, ammunition, or machinery, tool or instrument used nodia or
intended to be used in the manufacture of any firearm or Jovem ammunition: Provided, That no
other crime was committed. "The penalty of prision mayor in its minimum period and a fine of
Thirty thousand pesos (P30,000) shall be imposed if the firearm is classified as high powered
firearm which includes those with bores bigger in diameter than .38 caliber and 9 millimeter
such as caliber 40, 41, 44, 45 and also lesser calibered firearms but considered powerful such as
caliber .357 and caliber 22 center-fire magnum and other firearms with firing capability of full
automatic and by burst of two or three: Provided, however, That no other crime was
committed by the person arrested. "If homicide or murder is committed with the use of an
unlicensed firearm, such use of an unlicensed firearm shall be considered as an aggravating
circumstance. "If the violation of this Sec. is in furtherance of or incident to, or in connection
with the crime of rebellion or insurrection, sedition, or attempted coup d'etat, such violation
shall be absorbed as an element of the crime of rebellion, or insurrection, sedition, or
attempted coup d'etat. "The same penalty shall be imposed upon the owner, president,
manager, director or other responsible officer of any public or private firm, company,
corporation or entity. who shall willfully or knowingly allow any of the firearms owned by such
firm, company, corporation or entity to be used by any person or persons found guilty of
violating the provisions of the preceding paragraphs or willfully or knowingly allow any of them
to use unlicensed firearms or firearms without any legal authority to be carried outside of their
residence in the course of their employment. "The penalty of arresto mayor shall be imposed
upon any person who shall carry any licensed firearm outside his residence without legal
authority therefor." Sec. 2. Sec. 3 of Presidential Decree No. 1866, as amended, is hereby
further amended to read as follows: cralaw "Sec. 3. Unlawful manufacture, sale, acquisition,
disposition or possession of explosives. The penalty of prision mayor in its maximum period to
reclusion temporal and a fine of not less than Fifty thousand pesos (P50,000) shall be imposed
upon any person who shall unlawfully manufacture, assemble, deal in, acquire, dispose or
possess hand grenade(s), rifle grenade(s), and other explosives, including but not limited to
'pillbox, molotov cocktail bombs, 'fire bombs, or other incendiary devices capable of producing
destructive effect on contiguous objects or causing injury or death to any person. "When a
person commits any of the crimes defined in the Revised Penal Code or special laws with the
use of the aforementioned explosives, detonation agents or incendiary devices, which results in
the death of any person or persons, the use of such explosives, detonation agents or incendiary
devices shall be considered as an aggravating circumstance. "If the violation of this Sec. is in
furtherance of, or incident to, or in connection with the crime of rebellion, insurrection,
sedition or attempted coup d'etat, such violation shall be absorbed as an element of the crimes
of rebellion, insurrection, sedition or attempted coup d'etat. "The same penalty shall be
imposed upon the owner, president, manager, director or other responsible officer of any
public or private firm, company, corporation or entity. who shall willfully or knowingly allow any
of the explosives owned by such firm, company, corporation or entity, to be used by any person
or persons found guilty of violating the provisions of the preceding paragraphs." Sec. 3. Sec. 5 of
Presidential Decree No. 1866, as amended, is hereby further amended to read as follows:
cralaw "Sec. 5. Tampering of firearm's serial number. - The penalty of prision correccional shall
be imposed upon any person who shall unlawfully tamper, change, deface or erase the serial
number of any firearm." Sec. 4. Sec. 6 of Presidential Decree No. 1866, as amended, is hereby
further amended to read as follows: cralaw "Sec. 6. Repacking or altering the composition of
lawfully manufactured explosives. The penalty of prision. correccional shall be imposed upon
any person who shall unlawfully repack, alter or modify the composition of any lawfully
manufactured explosives." Sec. 5. Coverage of the Term Unlicensed Firearm. The term
unlicensed firearm shall include: cralaw 1) firearms with expired license; or 2) unauthorized use
of licensed firearm in the commission of the crime. Sec. 6. Rules and regulations, The
Department of Justice and the Department of the Interior and Local Government shall jointly
issue, within ninety (90) days after the approval of this Act, the necessary rules and regulations
pertaining to the administrative aspect of the provisions hereof, furnishing the Committee on
Public Order and Security and the Committee on Justice and Human Rights of both Houses of
Congress copies of such rules and regulations within thirty (30) days from the promulgation
hereof. Sec. 7. Separability clause -If, for any reason, any Sec. or provision of this Act is declared
to be unconstitutional or invalid, the other Sec.s or provisions thereof which are not affected
thereby shall continue to be in full force and effect. Sec. 8. Repealing clause. All laws, decrees,
orders, rules and regulations or parts thereof inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are
hereby repealed, amended, or modified accordingly. Sec. 9. Effectivity. This Act shall take effect
after fifteen (15) days following its publication in the Official Gazette or in two (2) newspapers
of general circulation. Approved: June 6, 1997 Republic of the Philippines Congress of the
Philippines Metro Manila Fourteenth Congress Second Regular Session Begun and held in
Metro Manila, on Monday, the twenty-third day of July, two thousand seven. Republic Act No.
9516 December 22 Amending Section 3 and 4 of PD 1866 AN ACT FURTHER AMENDING THE
PROVISIONS OF PRESIDENTIAL DECREE NO.1866, AS AMENDED, ENTITLED CODIFYING THE
LAWS ON ILLEGAL UNLAWFUL POSSESSION, MANUFACTURE, DEALING IN, ACQUISITION OR
DISPOSITION OF FIREARMS, AMMUNITION OR EXPLOSIVES OR INSTRUMENTS USED IN THE
MANUFACTURE OF FIREARMS AMMUNITION OR EXPLOSIVES, AND IMPOSING STIFFER
PENALTIES FOR CERTAIN VIOLATIONS THEREOF, AND FOR OTHER RELEVANT PURPOSES Be it
enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress assembled::
Section 1. Section 3 of Presidential Decree No. 1866, as amended, is hereby further amended to
read as follows: "Section 3. Unlawful Manufacture, Sales, Acquisition, Disposition. Importation
or Possession of an Explosive or Incendiary Device. The penalty of reclusion perpetual shall be
imposed upon any person who shall willfully and eho unlawfully manufacture, assemble, deal
in, acquire, dispose, import or possess any explosive or incendiary device, with i knowledge of
its existence and its explosive or incendiary character, where the explosive or incendiary device
is capable of producing destructive effect on contiguous objects or causing injury or death to
any person, including but not limited to, hand grenade(s), rifle grenade(s), 'pillbox bomb',
'molotov cocktail bomb', 'fire bomb', and other similar explosive and incendiary devices.
"Provided, That mere possession of any explosive or ill incendiary device shall be prima facie
evidence that the of person had knowledge of the existence and the explosive For incendiary
character of the device. "Provided, however, That a temporary, incidental, casual, harmless, or
transient possession or control of any explosive or incendiary device, without the knowledge of
its existence or its explosive or incendiary character, shall not be a violation of this Section.
"Provided, Further, That the temporary, incidental, casual. harmless, or transient possession or
control of any explosive or incendiary device for the sole purpose of surrendering it to the
proper authorities shall not be a violation of this Section.

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Provided, finally, That in addition to the instances provided in the two (2) immediately preceeding
paragraphs, the court may determine the absence of the intent to possess, otherwise referred to as
'animus possidendi", in accordance with the facts and circumstances of each case and the
application of other pertinent laws, among other things, Articles 11 and 12 of the Revised Penal
Code, as amended." Section 2. Section 4 of Presidential Decree No.1866, as amended, is hereby
further amended to read as follows: SEC 3-A. Unlawful Manufacture, Sales, Acquisition Disposition,
Importation or Possession of a Part, Ingredient, Machinery, Tool or Instrument Used or Intended to
be Used for the Manufacture, Construction, Assembly. Delivery or Detonation. - The penalty of
reclusion perpetua shall be imposed upon any person who shall willfully and unlawfully
manufacture, assemble, deal in, acquire, dispose, import or possess any part, ingredient,
machinery, tool or instrument of any explosive or incendiary device, whether chemical, mechanical,
electronic, electrical or otherwise, used or intended to be used by that person for its manufacture,
construction, assembly, delivery or detonation, where the explosive or incendiary device is capable
or is intended to be made capable of producing destructive effect on contiguous objects or causing
injury or death to any person. "Provided, That the mere possession of any part, ingredient,
machinery, tool or instrument directly used in the manufacture, construction, assembly, delivery or
detonation of any explosive or incendiary device, by any person whose business activity, or
employment does not lawfully deal with the possession of such article shall be prima facie evidence
that such article is intended to be used by that person in the unlawful/illegal manufacture,
construction, assembly. delivery or detonation of an explosive or incendiary device. "Provided,
however, That a temporary incidental, casual, harmless or transient possession or control of any
part, machinery, tool or instrument directly used in the manufacture, construction, assembly,
delivery or detonation of any explosive or incendiary device, without the knowledge of its existence
or character as part, ingredient, machinery. tool or instrument directly used in the manufacture,
construction, assembly, delivery or detonation of any explosive or incendiary device, shall not be a
violation of this Section. "Provided, Further, That the temporary, incidental, casual, harmless, or
transient possession or control of any part, ingredient, machinery, tool or instrument directly used
in the manufacture, construction, assembly, delivery or detonation of any explosive or incendiary
device for the sole purpose of surrendering it to the proper authorities shall not be a violation of
this Section. "Provided, finally, That in addition to the instances provided in the two (2) immediately
preceeding paragraphs, the court may determine the absence of the intent to possess, otherwise
referred to as 'animus possidendi', in accordance with the facts and circumstances of each case and
the application of other pertinent laws, among other things, Articles 11 and 12 of the Revised Penal
Code, as amended." Section 3. Insert a new Section 3-B, 3-C, 3-D, 4, 4-A, 4-B, 4-C, 4-D, 4-E, 4-E and
4-F in Presidential Decree No. 1866 to read as follows: SEC. 3-B. Penalty for the Owner, President,
Manager, Director or Other Responsible Officer of Any Public or Private Firm, Company, Corporation
or Entity. - The penalty of reclusion perpetua shall be imposed upon the owner, president, manager,
director or other responsible officer of any public or private firm, company, corporation or entity,
who shall willfully or knowingly allow any explosive or incendiary device or parts thereof owned or
controlled by such firm, company, corporation or entity to be used by any person or persons found
guilty of violating the provisions of the preceding paragraphs. "SEC. 3-C. Relationship of Other
Crimes with a Violation of this Decree and the Penalty Therefor. When a violation of Section 3, 3-A
or 3-B of this Decree is a necessary means for committing any of the crimes defined in the Revised
Penal Code or special laws, or is in furtherance of, incident to, in connection with, by reason of, or
on occassion of any of the crimes defined in the Revised Penal Code or special laws, the penalty of
reclusion perpetua and a fine ranging from One hundred Thousand pesos (P100,000.00) to One
million pesos (P1,000,000.00) shall be imposed. "SEC. 3-D. Former Conviction or Acquittal; Double
Jeopardy. - Subject to the provisions of the Rules of Court on double jeopardy, if the application
thereof is more favorable to the accused, the conviction or acquittal of the accused or the dismissal
of the case for violation of this Decree shall be a bar to another prosecution of the same accused for
any offense where the violation of this Decree was a necessary means for committing the offense or
in furtherance of which, incident to which, in connection with which, by reason of which, or on
occasion of which, the violation of this Decree was committed, and vice versa. *SEC. 4.
Responsibility and liability of Law Enforcement Agencies and Other Government Officials and
Employees in Testifying as Prosecution Witnesses. - Any member of law enforcement agencies or
any other government official and employee who, after due notice, fails or refuses, intentionally or
negligently, to appear as a witness for the prosecution of the defense in any proceeding, involving
violations of this Decree, without any valid reason, shall be punished with reclusion temporal and a
fine of Five hundred Thousand pesos (P500,000.00) in addition to the administrative liability he/she
may be meted out by his/her immediate superior and/or appropriate body. "The immediate
superior of the member of the law enforcement agency or any other government employee
mentioned in the preceding paragraph shall be penalized with prision correccional and a fine of not
less than Ten Thousand pesos (P10,000.00) but not more than Fifty thousand pesos (P50,000.00)
and in addition, perpetual absolute disqualification from public office if despite due notice to them
and to the witness concerned, the former does not exert reasonable effort to present the latter to
the court . "The member of the law enforcement agency or any other government employee
mentioned in the preceding paragraphs shall not be transferred or reassigned to any other
government office located in another territorial jurisdiction during the pendency of the case in
court. However, the concerned member of the law enforcement agency or government employee
may be transferred or reassigned for compelling reasons: Provided. That his/her immediate
superior shall notify the court where the case is pending of the order to transfer or reassign, within
twenty-four (24) hours from its approval: Provided, further, That his/her immediate superior shall
be penalized with prision correccional and a fine of not less than Ten thousand pesos (P10,000.00)
but not more than Fifty thousand pesos (P50,000.00) and in addition, perpetual absolute
disqualification from public office, should he/she fail to notify the court of such order to transfer or
reassign. "Prosecution and punishment under this Section shall be without prejudice to any liability
for violation of any existing law. "SEC 4-A. Criminal Liability for Planting of Evidence. Any person
who is found guilty of 'planting' any explosive or incendiary device or any part, ingredient,
machinery, tool or instrument of any explosive or incendiary device, whether chemical, mechanical,
electronic, electrical or otherwise, shall suffer the penalty of reclusion perpetua. "Planting of
evidence shall mean the willful act by any person of maliciously and surreptitiously inserting,
placing, adding or attaching, directly or indirectly, through any overt or covert act, whatever
quantity of any explosive or incendiary device or any part, ingredient, machinery, tool or instrument
of any explosive or incendiary device, whether chemical, mechanical, electronic, electrical or
otherwise in the person, house, effects or in the immediate vicinity of an innocent individual for the
purpose of implicating incriminating or imputing the commission of any violation of this Decree.
"SEC. 4-B. Continuous Trial. In cases involving violations of this Decree, the judge shall set the case
for continuous trial on a daily basis from Monday to Friday or other short- term trial calendar so as
to ensure speedy trial. Such case shall be terminated within ninety (90) days from arraignment of
the accused. "SEC. 4-C. Authority to Import, Sell or Possess Chemicals or Accessories for Explosives.
- Only persons or entities issued a manufacturer's license, dealer's license or purchaser's license by
the Philippine National Police (PNP)-Firearms and Explosives Division may import any of the
chemical or accessories that can be used in the manufacture of explosives or explosive ingredients
from foreign suppliers, or possess or sell them to licensed dealers or end users, as the case may be.
SEC. 4-D. Types of Chemicals/Accessories Covered. - The chemicals and accessories mentioned in
the preceding Section shall exclusively refer to chlorates, nitrates, nitric acid and such other
chemicals and accessories that can be used for the manufacture of explosives and explosive
ingredients. SEC. 4-E. Record of Transactions. - Any person or entity who intends to import, sell or
possess the afore cited chemicals or accessories shall file an application with the chief of the PNP,
stating therein the purpose for which the license and/or permit is sought and such other
information as may be required by the said official. The concerned person or entity shall maintain a
permanent record of all transactions entered into in relation with the afore cited chemicals or
accessories, which documents shall be open to inspection by the appropriate authorities. "SEC. 4-F.
Cancellation of License. - Failure to comply with the provision of Section 4-C, 4-D and 4-E shall be
sufficient cause for the cancellation of the license and the confiscation of all such chemicals or
accessories, whether or not lawfully imported, purchased or possessed by the subject person or
entity Sec. 4. Separability Clause. - If, for any reason, any provision of this Act is declared to be
unconstitutional or invalid, the other Sections or provisions thereof which are not affected thereby
shall continue to be in full force and effect. Sec. 5. Repealing Clause. All laws, decrees, orders, rules
and regulations or parts thereof inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are hereby repealed,
amended, or modified accordingly. Sec. 6. Effecfivity. This Act shall take effect after fifteen (15) days
following its publication in the Official Gazette or in two (2) newspapers of general circulation.
Approved (Sgd.) PROSPERO C. NOGRALES Speaker of the House of Representatives (Sgd.) MANNY
VILLAR President of the Senate This Act which is a consolidation of Senate Bill No. 2230 and House
Bill No. 3242 was finally passed by the Senate and the House of Representative on October 8, 2008
and November 24, 2008, respectively. (Sgd.) MARILYN B. BARUA-YAP Secretary General House of
Representatives (Sgd.) EMMA LIRIO-REYES Secretary of Senate Approved: DEC 22, 2008- (Sgd.)
GLORIA MACAPAGAL-ARROYO President of the Philippines