FIREARMS DATA MANAGEMENT PROCEDURE IN ADMINISTRATION AND LAW FOR ILLEGAL FIREARMS TRACING

Abstract

The problem of using firearms to commit violence and crime is on the rise, especially in Thailand. The government has continuously given importance to firearms control; however, it appears that illegal firearms are still being used in crimes. This research aims to examine the situation of the escalation of illegal firearms in Thailand, analyze laws, regulations, and orders related to problems and obstacles faced by law enforcement agencies in Thailand in tracing the cycle of firearms, and propose recommendations for developing data management procedures for illegal firearms. This grounded theory study collected data from secondary data and in-depth interviews with officials and firearms experts, which were analyzed by coded and thematic analysis. The findings reveal that Thailand has legal measures, administrative measures, and international cooperation in controlling, preventing, and suppressing illegal trade and production of firearms by international treaties and frameworks. Thailand has a firearms control mechanism that is similar to that of foreign firearms control systems at a basic level. However, it lacks imperative measures to trace holistic firearms system according to United Nations guidelines, including the Establishment of a National Firearms Committee,  mechanisms for illegal firearms tracing and specialized agency to trace firearms; development of a firearms license system with a fixed term, additional necessary offenses, amendment of specific firearm confiscation laws, legislation relating to firearms brokerage as well as the Establishment of a national firearms database system. The recommendations include the Establishment of a national firearms tracing center, integrating the operations of relevant government agencies for investigating and tracing illegal firearms routes to the source of firearms used in crimes, developing amendments to firearms laws to close the gaps and obstacles in the law as well as sharing of firearms data between relevant agencies.