102 Resource book on the use of force and firearms in law enforcement Armoury Firearms should be returned to the designated armoury at the conclusion of the assignment for which it is issued, and should not be transferred to another officer. The armourer should check the weapon and service it. Any authorized firearm found to be malfunctioning or needing service should not be issued until it is repaired and inspected; which should only be done by a certified armourer or gunsmith who should be the only ones authorized to repair or modify firearms used by law enforcement officials. Firearms that have not been thoroughly inspected and certified should not be issued. Riot control agents, chemical irritant sprays, such as pepper spray or CS spray, and tasers and kinetic impact devices should be stored in the armoury. Batons are not required to be stored in an armoury but should be safely stored as well. The armoury should have appropriate levels of physical security, including against fire and explosions. Since an armoury’s purpose is to prevent abuse of the weapons available, firearms should be safely locked up under clear procedures regarding access. Ammunition and weapons should be stored separately, so that if one store is compromised, an extra level of safety is left. The armoury must have a facility where weapons used as evidence from criminal investigation cases can be stored.225 Each location where weapons are kept should have a dedicated armourer to service the weapons. In order to enhance safety and security, it is recommended to differentiate this role from the safe keeper of the register.226 Both should report to the person-in-charge, who should regularly verify the accuracy of the register and the condition of weapons. Inventory management is a fundamental component of stockpile management, as it helps to detect loss or theft of weapons from stockpiles and facilitates the identification and disposal of surplus weapons.227 It is also recommended that regular audits be carried out. The respective officers involved should be trained in weapons management and armoury control procedures.228 Taking weapons home In principle, officers should not take their firearms or other weapons home, but have them safely locked up in an armoury.229 Law enforcement agencies should take all reasonable measures to prevent any abuse of firearms or other weapons. Indeed, it should be well understood that issuing officers with firearms or other weapons is to be accompanied by “duty of care” for which the entire organization is to be held responsible. Where law enforcement officials are allowed to carry their weapon at all times for self-defence, even during non-working hours, it should be based on a threat assessment, and only for the shortest possible time whilst the threat exists. The weapon should be safely locked up at home and checked daily to prevent abuse by the law enforcement official or a third person. 225  See The HALO Trust, Somaliland Police Armoury Rehabilitation Project, 2012: https://www.halotrust.org/ media-centre/news/somaliland-police-armoury-rehabilitation-project/ 226  See United Nations Coordinating Action on Small Arms (CASA), International ISACS Small Arms Control Standard, Stockpile Management: Weapons, 2012. 227  Ibid. 228  See The HALO Trust, Somaliland Police Armoury Rehabilitation Project, 2012. 229  Note that different jurisdictions may have different ways of implementation. In the United States, many police departments have policy documents containing the provision that police are considered to be on duty at all times whether or not in uniform or in an active service role. Also, based on the Federal Law Enforcement Good Samaritan Act and the Law Enforcement Safety Act, many United States federal states and local law enforcement law agencies authorize, or even require, sworn personnel to carry their firearm during “off-duty” status, for example to and from their duty station to their home, as there is an expectation of intervention in dangerous or criminal action even when they are off-duty.