Thesis (M. A.)--University of Canterbury, 2006. / Typescript (photocopy). Includes bibliographical references (leaves 123-133). Also available via the World Wide Web.

This master´s thesis collects vocabulary from the field of modern firearms and their accessories in English and Czech languages and forms it into a dictionary which compares the specialized translation with the translation that is provided by a technical dictionary. The theoretical part focuses on explaining the basic terminology from the field of lexicography, it introduces a brief look at the development and typology of dictionaries and the process of forming a dictionary. Detailed examination of technical and electronic dictionaries is provided and description of the specific aspects of firearm terminology. The practical part presents the specialized resources used in this work, the process of creating and layout of the dictionary which is the final product of this thesis. The conclusion summarizes the difference between the basic translation and the specialized translation and gives evidence of these differences by providing examples from the created dictionary.

The research project investigated the impact of the Firearms Control Act (FCA) 60 of 2000 in restricting gun ownership for at-risk individuals in the Pretoria North Firearm Registration Centre (FRC) policing area and identified prevention strategy as well as specific factors that contributed to this problem. Secondary prevention focuses on situational factors that reduces the means and opportunity for at-risk people to commit crime and can be applied in restricting firearms from at-risk individuals. One hundred and thirteen legal firearm owners in the Pretoria North FRC policing area responded to the questionnaire schedule. Data was also collected through interviews with Designated Firearm Officers (DFO) and court officials in that area. Specific factors have been identified that contribute to firearms landing in the hands of at-risk individuals in the Pretoria North FRC policing area. They are among others, poor administration of some sections of the FCA like background checks and section 102 and 103 unfitness declarations. The role of the DFO in continuous public education program on the FCA is also invaluable. The same goes to the general public s involvement in the identification of at-risk individuals. The South African Police Service management needs to address issues within the police service such as additional trained personnel, allocation of sufficient logistical resources like vehicles, computers and scanners to ensure effectiveness in restricting firearms from at-risk individuals. Several secondary role players have been identified that should work closely with the primary role players to address this problem. The recommendations drawn from conclusions as well as the inter-departmental role of all the different role players may assist in restricting firearms from at-risk individuals. / Police Practice / M.Tech. (Policing)

Armoured vehicles in current military service are requiring ever more protection to enable them to carry out their mission in a safe, effective manner. This requirement is driving vehicle weight up to such an extent that the logistics of vehicle transport is becoming increasingly difficult. Composite materials are an important material group whose high specific properties can enable structures to be manufactured for a far lower weight than might otherwise be possible. Composite materials in an armoured vehicle will require structural performance as well as ballistic performance. The mechanical and ballistic performance of tl-kk armour and structural composites has been investigated against dcformable and armour-piercing ammunitions, over a range of impact velocities. Testing has indicated that heavy/coarse reinforcement weaves perform well against deformable ammunition and light/fine weaves well against armour piercing ammunition. The effect of individual mechanical properties on ballistic performance has been investigated as has the damage morphology of impacted materials. High tensile strength combined with low fracture toughness has been identified as an important requirement. Failure mechanisms have been identified from sections of ballistic impacts and through the use of mechanical test data the energy absorbed by each mechanism has been calculated. An energy audit has been carried out of all materials tested and a modelling procedure developed based on mechanical characteristics, damage morphology and failure mechanisms. This model has been tested against literature results and found to give very satisfactory performance.

Armoured vehicles in current military service are requiring ever more protection to enable them to carry out their mission in a safe, effective manner. This requirement is driving vehicle weight up to such an extent that the logistics of vehicle transport is becoming increasingly difficult. Composite materials are an important material group whose high specific properties can enable structures to be manufactured for a far lower weight than might otherwise be possible. Composite materials in an armoured vehicle will require structural performance as well as ballistic performance. The mechanical and ballistic performance of tl-kk armour and structural composites has been investigated against dcformable and armour-piercing ammunitions, over a range of impact velocities. Testing has indicated that heavy/coarse reinforcement weaves perform well against deformable ammunition and light/fine weaves well against armour piercing ammunition. The effect of individual mechanical properties on ballistic performance has been investigated as has the damage morphology of impacted materials. High tensile strength combined with low fracture toughness has been identified as an important requirement. Failure mechanisms have been identified from sections of ballistic impacts and through the use of mechanical test data the energy absorbed by each mechanism has been calculated. An energy audit has been carried out of all materials tested and a modelling procedure developed based on mechanical characteristics, damage morphology and failure mechanisms. This model has been tested against literature results and found to give very satisfactory performance.

El objetivo de la presente investigación corresponde a analizar la normativa peruana relacionada a la posesión de armas de fuego de uso civil desde la Constitución Política del Perú de 1979, ello a fin de determinar si el marco legal e institucional ha resultado eficaz respecto al control de la posesión de armas de fuego de uso civil por parte del Estado, debido a la presencia cada vez más notable del arma de fuego como instrumento del delito en el país. Para dicho fin este documento de trabajo se divide en cuatro capítulos en donde se analizarán la posesión de armas de fuego de uso civil tanto en el ámbito nacional, como el internacional. / El objetivo de la presente investigación corresponde a analizar la normativa peruana relacionada a la posesión de armas de fuego de uso civil desde la Constitución Política del Perú de 1979, ello a fin de determinar si el marco legal e institucional ha resultado eficaz respecto al control de la posesión de armas de fuego de uso civil por parte del Estado, debido a la presencia cada vez más notable del arma de fuego como instrumento del delito en el país. / Trabajo de investigación

Illicit firearms and the proliferation of them are an increasingly discussed topic worldwide. This thesis uses content analysis to analyse the 2005 EU Strategy and revised version of it, the 2018 EU Strategy, on how to combat the proliferation of illicit firearms. With a post-structuralist approach, related theoretical aspects and the use of Carol Bacchis’ six questions in the What is the Problem Represented to Be? (WPR) approach, the thesis examines problem representations in the thesis, and discusses these to identify the shift of the representation of illicit firearms in the EU Strategies. By doing this, it is filling the research gap of policies on illicit firearms that are examining problem representations. The comparison between the two Strategies shows that there is a significant shift in the problem representation, and that contextual factors and norms play an important role in why this shift has taken place. The thesis has identified the political climate at the time of the implementation of the EU Strategies as a vital factor to the differences in the Strategies.

This thesis deals with the Czech castles during the Hussite Wars (1419-1436 and 1467-1485). Its aim was to explore and evaluate a group of selected objects and compare the results with the development of castle architecture in Europe. Research has shown that - in connection with the introduction of early guns in the end of the 14th century - there was a radical change of military tactics and castle architecture. Castles were equipped with a new type of fortifications that were not only resistant to artillery, but also allowed for their efficient firearm defense. Along with the penetration of the Hussite troops into neighboring countries, there came the spread of their military knowledge, which has gradually adopted in entire Central Europe. The local military architecture stands at the beginning of the Medieval fort architecture and precedes, by nearly a hundred years, the Italian and German fortifications. Key-words: Central Europe - Late Middle Age - Early Modern Age - Castle - Fortress - Firearms

One incidence of intimate partner non-fatal strangulation (NFS) significantly increases the risk of homicide by asphyxiation (i.e., deprivation of oxygen resulting in death). The implications of NFS are well examined but the prevalence and dyadic influences of asphyxiation are less understood. This study examined various relationship types to determine if those defined by longevity and intimacy (e.g., dating and spousal) demonstrated the highest risk for NFS/asphyxiation, and evaluated the prevalence of other types of force at the time of the assault (e.g., firearms, personal weapons). Data for this project were obtained from the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation’s online incident-based reporting system. There were 34,448 reported cases of intimate partner violence (IPV) in 2019 included in the analysis. Independent variables included the survivor-offender relationship, (dating, marital, acquaintance) the force involved at the time of the assault, including the use of a firearm, NFS, asphyxiation, dangerous weapons (knife/cutting instrument, blunt object), or personal weapons, (hands, fist, feet, arms, teeth) and the location of the assault. The dependent variable was classified by the offense type (aggravated assault, simple assault, homicide, and forcible rape). Data were first cleaned using KuTools for Excel, 23.00 and then analyzed in SPSS Version 25. Regarding homicide, the most lethal type of force involved was not asphyxiation (6.5%; n = 3), but instead the use of a firearm (56.5%; n = 26), followed by dangerous weapons, (23.9%; n =11). The majority of NFS cases were classified as aggravated assaults (95.3%; n = 528) and mainly occurred at the survivor/victim’s residence (85.1%; n = 441). Regarding dyadic influences, the majority of incidents of NFS/asphyxiation occurred in dating (boyfriend/girlfriends; 63.9%; n = 354) and spousal (19.5%; n = 108;) relationships with homicides mainly occurring against spouses (50.0%; n = 21). A multinomial logistic regression model examining relationship type on the effect of force involved was significant, χ2(12, N =34,448) = 261.533, p < .001, Nagelkerke’s R2= .011. Only those in boyfriend/girlfriend (OR = .019; CI = .017-.021) and ex-boyfriend/girlfriend (OR = .024; CI = .019-.031) relationships significantly increased the likelihood of experiencing NFS or asphyxiation compared to the use of personal weapons. Those in acquaintance (OR = 3.447; CI = 2.618-4.539) and ex-boyfriend/girlfriend (OR = 2.266; CI = 1.927-2.664) relationships demonstrated the highest likelihood of a firearm being used at the time of assault. Findings indicated that dating and spousal relationships demonstrated the highest risk and prevalence of NFS and asphyxiation, but most cases of homicide involved a firearm. Proper screening by clinicians and medical personnel should assess for the current relationship type, past instances of NFS, and the presence of a firearm within the home. Further options for screening will be presented.

In many cases of crimes involving a firearm, police investigators need to know how far the firearm was held from the victim when it was discharged. Knowing this distance, vital questions regarding the re-construction of the crime scene can be known. Often, the original firearm used in commission of a suspected crime is not available for testing or is damaged. Crime laboratories require the original firearm in order to conduct distance determination tests. However, no empirical research has ever been conducted to determine if same make and model firearms produce different results in distance determination testing. It was the purpose of this study to determine if there are significant differences between the same make and model of firearms in distance determination testing. The findings indicate no significant differences; furthermore they imply that if the original firearm is not available, another firearm of the same make and model may be used.