The United Nations Regional Centre for Peace, Disarmament and Development in Latin America and the Caribbean (UNLIREC) donated 40 replica weapons to the Judicial Investigation Department of Costa Rica. This donation was made as a follow-up to UNLIREC’s delivery of a specialized course on the management of small arms and ammunition as evidence held earlier this year.
The course increased the participants’ knowledge of and techniques for appropriate crime scene management and the collection of firearms and ammunition as evidence in judicial proceedings, investigations, and intelligence gathering. The rubber dummy weapons were donated to be used in similar trainings where participants handle, transport, pack, and package firearms.
Given that they are identical to real firearms in size and weight, these replica weapons allow for safe and efficient simulations without detracting from the pedagogical component. Using real weapons for training can be dangerous, which makes this type of replica very useful for institutions whose tasks and responsibilities put them in contact with firearms.
The donation consists of 40 weapons (20 short and 20 long) of different types (rifles, pistols, shotguns, and revolvers), brands and models made from polymer material that are impact and rust resistant. The Judicial Investigation Department plan to use these replica guns in its trainings as of November 2015.
This specialized course forms part of UNLIREC’s regional project ‘Preventing Armed Violence in Central America through the Combat of Illicit Trafficking in Small Arms’, which is financed by Germany and Spain. By providing assistance to Latin American and Caribbean States, UNLIREC contributes to improving public security and supports States’ implementation of the UN 2001 Programme of Action on Small Arms (UN 2001 PoA).
For more information about UNLIREC, visit (www.unlirec.org), or contact Amanda Cowl, Political Affairs Officer (cowl@unlirec.org).