A/HRC/32/21 53. Human rights law requires States to protect people from harmful private activities and to adopt appropriate regulatory and institutional frameworks. In the light of the harmful impact of firearms-related violence on a range of human rights, the High Commissioner reiterates the call of United Nations and regional human rights mechanisms for States to regulate the civilian acquisition, possession and use of firearms. Alongside preventive measures, States must provide victims of firearms violence with effective measures of protection and reparation, including access to adequate health care to ensure that they have the best possible chances of survival and rehabilitation. In particular, States must protect women and children who are particularly affected by the harmful impact of both lawful and illicit firearms possession. 54. On the basis of State practice, international and regional agreements and instruments and human rights mechanisms, the following measures that contribute to the protection of human rights can be identified: (a) Adoption of adequate laws, regulations and administrative procedures to exercise effective control over the legal possession of firearms by all persons and companies under a State’s jurisdiction through licensing, registration, monitoring, auditing and mandatory training; (b) Creation of a licensing system that lays down clear criteria with respect to a previous criminal record, relevant restraining orders or mental health conditions in order to prevent persons who pose a significant risk of misusing firearms from possessing them; (c) Imposition of appropriate penalties and/or administrative sanctions for offences involving the misuse or unlawful possession of firearms, the illicit sale of firearms and the unauthorized international transfer of firearms. 55. Firearm violence and the underlying proliferation of firearms, including illicit firearms, must be systematically measured, monitored and reported. While the primary responsibility lies with State authorities, United Nations and regional bodies and mechanisms and members of civil society, including human rights defenders, play an important role in this regard. States should systematize monitoring of and reporting on human rights violations and abuses committed with or facilitated by firearms, including the human rights impact of civilian access to firearms. Findings and recommendations of the United Nations mechanisms provide a useful baseline in this regard. 16