US embassy cable - 05BOGOTA4569

UNCLAS BOGOTA 004569 
 
SIPDIS 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: ASEC, PTER, MOPS, PREL, CO, ETRD 
SUBJECT: PROPOSED REMINGTON SALE TO INDUMIL INTENDS 
COMMERCIAL RESALE OF MUNITIONS 
 
REF: STATE 052934 
 
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Summary 
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1. (U) Post closely examined the proposed sale of Remington 
munitions components to Industrias Militar (INDUMIL)(reftel). 
 The components would be used for the production of 0.38 spl 
and 7.65 mm caliber ammunition.  INDUMIL officials confirmed 
that this grade of ammunition is used only for self-defense 
and sporting purposes and would be available for commercial 
purchase.  INDUMIL applies a tracking system to all of its 
weapons and ammunition and the military's Department of Arms 
Controls conducts background checks on any potential civilian 
buyers before issuing them a license to have or carry a 
weapon.  End summary. 
 
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Remington Purchase Intends Commercial Resale 
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2. (U) INDUMIL proposed purchasing Remington munitions 
components to produce .38 spl and 7.65 mm caliber ammunition. 
 Officials from INDUMIL and the military's Department of Arms 
Controls told emboffs that this grade of ammunition is not 
intended for military use, but rather for self-defense or 
sporting revolvers and rifles.  They confirmed that this type 
of ammunition would be for commercial sale to private 
citizens licensed to purchase limited quantities of 
ammunition for licensed firearms. 
 
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Tracking and Control of Arms in Colombia 
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3. (U) INDUMIL is the Colombian government's single focal 
point for the production, importation, and sale of arms and 
ammunitions in Colombia, both for military and private use. 
INDUMIL has a system of internal accountability at its 
Soacha, Cundinamarca production facility. Each weapons 
component is stamped with a code and recorded in a log at 
every step of the assembly process so that all arms 
originating at INDUMIL can be traced.  Each piece of 
ammunition is also stamped with a lot number that is recorded 
and also offers authorities the opportunity to track or trace 
ammunition. 
 
4. (U) INDUMIL's oversight rests with the Colombian 
military's Department of Arms Controls, which is responsible 
for monitoring the sale of arms and munitions to private 
citizens as specified in Decree 2535 of 1993.  Beginning in 
1993, Colombians were required to register their guns. 
Today, 1,625,000 arms are legally registered in Colombia. 
 
5. (U) The Department of Arms Controls oversees a background 
check of each individual interested in purchasing arms to 
ensure he or she does not have a criminal history.  If the 
individual is deemed free of any wrongdoing, the Department 
of Arms Controls can issue a license to have a weapon or 
carry a weapon (two different licenses).  Licenses to 
maintain a weapon at home must be renewed every 10 years, 
licenses to carry a weapon must be renewed every three years, 
and restricted-use weapons such as machine guns and those 
with more than nine rounds must be renewed every year. 
Colombian law states that only the government can produce or 
import arms; and all weapons, even those held and carried by 
private citizens, are legally property of the government and 
can be recalled at any time.  By law, Colombians can buy no 
more than 100 rounds of ammunition every six months and to do 
so must produce the appropriate firearms license. 
 
6. (U) Post discussed this issue with the Ministry of 
Defense's office of International Affairs, which also 
confirmed that the components would be used to produce 
ammunition for commercial sale.  They emphasized, however, 
that the GOC seeks to thoroughly check and monitor private 
citizens who wish to purchase arms and related ammunition. 
WOOD