The Banco Nazionale di Prova (official denomination: ''Banco nazionale di prova per le armi da fuoco portatili e per le munizioni commerciali'') is an Italian
public body
A statutory corporation is a government entity created as a statutory body by statute. Their precise nature varies by jurisdiction, but they are corporations owned by a government or controlled by national or sub-national government to the (in ...
responsible for verifying the compliance of firearms and ammunition to be marketed in the Italian market.
[Storia del Banco Nazionale di Prova]
(in Italian). Consorzio Armaioli Italiani (ConArmi).
History
Although there were precedents in the pre-unification Italian states, the institution was formally established by the
Royal Decree
A decree is a legal proclamation, usually issued by a head of state, judge, royal figure, or other relevant authorities, according to certain procedures. These procedures are usually defined by the constitution, Legislative laws, or customary l ...
No. 20 of January 13, 1910. Despite its official establishment, it began its activity only in 1920, in the laboratories of
Gardone Val Trompia
Gardone Val Trompia (Brescian: ) is a town and ''comune'' in the province of Brescia, in Lombardy, northern Italy. It is bounded by the comunes of Marcheno and Sarezzo. It is located in the Trompia valley. Gardone received the honorary title of ...
and
Brescia
Brescia (, ; ; or ; ) is a city and (municipality) in the region of Lombardy, in Italy. It is situated at the foot of the Alps, a few kilometers from the lakes Lake Garda, Garda and Lake Iseo, Iseo. With a population of 199,949, it is the se ...
. Its importance grew also because weapons testing became mandatory, as sanctioned by the Royal Decree-Law No. 3152 of December 30, 1923.
[
Its current headquarters were inaugurated in 1951.][ In 1997, a branch was opened inside the ]Benelli Armi
Benelli Armi S.p.A. is an Italian firearm manufacturer located in Urbino, Marche, Italy. Founded in 1967 as an offshoot of the Benelli (motorcycles), Benelli motorcycle factory that sold motorcycles through Montgomery Ward, Benelli and Benelli US ...
company headquarters.
Responsibilities
Following the abolition of the National Catalogue of Common Firearms in 2012, the Banco Nazionale di Prova is responsible for verifying technical and regulatory requirements. The list of approved weapons can be consulted by accessing the institutional website.
A decree in 2013 established that sporting firearms can be recognized as such, upon request of the manufacturer or importer, after consulting the relevant sports federations affiliated or associated with Italian National Olympic Committee (CONI).
Legal References
*
Royal Decree No. 20 of January 13, 1910
(in Italian)
* Royal Decree-Law No. 3152 of December 30, 1923
*
Law No. 124 of August 4, 2017 (art. 1, paragraph 174)
(in Italian)
*
Decree of the President of the Republic No. 193 of November 24, 2020
- Regulation for the reorganization of the National Proof House for Portable Firearms and Commercial Ammunition, implementing Article 1, paragraph 174, of Law No. 124 of August 4, 2017. (in Italian)
Notes
See also
Gun control in Italy
External links
*
{{Authority control
Government agencies of Italy
1910 establishments in Italy