S.L. 480.1 Art. 7AMarkings.

(1) With respect to firearms manufactured or imported in Malta from outside the European Union on or after 14 September

2018, it shall be ensured that any such firearm, or any essential component, placed on the market has been:

(a) provided with a clear, permanent and unique markingin accordance with the technical specifications laid down in Schedule I of these regulations and any relevant provisions of the Act and regulations without delay after manufacture and at the latest before its placement on the market, or without delay after its importation in Malta from outside the European Union; and

(b) registered in compliance with this Act without delay after manufacture and at the latest before its placement on the market, or without delay after its importation in Malta from outside the European Union: Provided that item 1A of Schedule I shall only apply to firearms and essential components placed on the market for the first time on or after 22nd July 2025.

(2) The unique marking referred to in sub-regulation (1) shall include the name of the manufacturer or brand, the country or place of manufacture, the serial number and the year of manufacture, if not already part of the serial number, and the model where feasible. This shall be without prejudice to the affixing of the manufacturer's trademark. Where an essential component is too small to be marked in compliance with this regulation, it shall be marked at least with a serial number or an alphanumeric or digital code: Provided that no such marking shall be required for items falling under Schedule II, Part I, items 7 and 8, Schedule II, Part II and Schedule III, excluding item 2 of the Act:

Provided further that no such marking shall be required for firearms or essential components that are of particular historical importance, as determined by the Commissioner in consultation with the Weapons Board.

(3) The marking shall be affixed to an essential component of the firearm, namely the breech-closing mechanism, the frame, receiver, the chamber or the barrel of the firearm, the destruction of which would render the firearm inoperable.

(4) Each package of complete ammunition shall be marked with the name of the manufacturer, the identification batch number, the calibre and the type of ammunition.

(5) Firearms transferred from government stocks to civilian use shall be marked with the name of the transferring entity, MPF MT, for arms transferred from the Police Force, AFM MT, for arms transferred from the Armed Forces of Malta, and CF MT for arms transferred from the Malta Prison Service. The year of transfer of the firearms from government to civilian use shall also be marked:

Provided that no such marking shall be required for items falling under Schedule 2, Part 1, items 7 and 8, Schedule 2, Part 2 and Schedule 3 excluding item 2 of the Act: Provided further that no such marking shall be required for antique, artistic, historical or rare firearms, as well as other firearms deemed by the Weapons Board to be unsuitable for such marking.