Practical guide

How to draft the report under Art. 679 c.p. with Artificial Intelligence

3 min read · Updated September 2026 · Editorial oversight: Avv. Federico Papa

The report (denuncia) under Art. 679 c.p. is a mandatory duty aimed at preventing public safety hazards arising from the unreported possession or discovery of explosives. The law penalizes the omission of those who, whether legally or not, come into contact with such dangerous materials. using edit.legal allows for the technical structuring of the document, reducing the risk of criminal charges due to delay or incompleteness.

In brief

Art. 679 c.p. penalizes the failure to report explosives held or found to the Authority. To draft the document correctly, it is essential to specify the type of material, its location, and the nature of the possession. The report must be promptly submitted to the Public Safety Authority (Autorità di Pubblica Sicurezza) or the Carabinieri. the integration of edit.legal ensures compliance with the requirements of the Consolidated Law on Public Safety (TULPS), facilitating the fulfillment of custody and notification obligations under criminal law.

The steps

1.
Classification of subjective and objective requirements
The first step is to verify whether the individual falls under the obligation to report: anyone who possesses or finds explosive materials. It is vital to distinguish between authorized possession (detenzione autorizzata), which requires updating records, and accidental discovery. In this phase, the nature of the material must be established, as the duty applies to any substance whose chemical composition can produce an explosion, regardless of the intended use.
2.
Technical description of the explosive material
The report must contain an analytical description of the materials. It is necessary to specify quantity, weight, type: gunpowder, dynamite, explosive devices, and, if present, identification codes or labels. Precision is mandatory to allow the Authority to assess the danger and arrange for safety measures or seizure (sequestro). A lack of technical details can invalidate the legal effectiveness of the communication.
3.
Indicating time and place circumstances
The exact time and place where the material came into the reporter's possession must be indicated. In case of discovery (rinvenimento), it is essential to describe the condition of the site and the circumstances of the find. If it concerns a pre-existing possession, the reason for the delay must be clarified. Immediacy is an implicit requirement of the rule, aimed at protecting public safety: any unjustified delay may constitute the offense.
4.
Drafting conclusions and precautionary requests
The document must conclude with the formal handover of the material to the Authority. It is advisable to include a request for a technical inspection by bomb disposal experts (artificieri) if the material appears unstable or dangerous to move. Furthermore, a request should be made for the issuance of a certificate of reporting (verbale di ricezione), which serves as proof of compliance with the legal obligation to avoid charges under Art. 679 c.p.
5.
Filing with the Public Safety Authority
The report must be submitted to the Police office or the Carabinieri station competent for the territory. Although the law allows for oral reporting, a written draft is highly recommended for content precision. In cases of absolute urgency, the report can be made via telephone but must be immediately followed by the filing of the written document. the support of edit.legal ensures that all essential elements are present before physical filing.

Legal basis: Art. 679 c.p.Art. 38 R.D. 18 giugno 1931, n. 773 (TULPS)Art. 20 Legge 18 aprile 1975, n. 110Art. 333 c.p.p.

Mistakes to avoid

Omitting the exact quantity of powder or the number of devices.
Delaying the report while waiting for private technical advice on the danger of the material.
Confusing the mandatory report under Art. 679 c.p. with a simple administrative notice of change in possession.
Filing the report with an authority lacking territorial jurisdiction, thereby delaying intervention.

Frequently asked questions

Is reporting mandatory for fireworks as well?

Yes, if the products exceed the free-sale thresholds set by TULPS or belong to professional categories. When in doubt, reporting is always recommended to avoid the contravention under Art. 679 c.p.

What is the mandatory deadline for reporting?

The law requires immediate reporting. Case law interprets 'immediacy' as the time strictly necessary to reach the Authority: refer to official sources for the assessment of timeliness in the specific case.

What are the risks for failing to report?

Failure to report is a contravention (contravvenzione) punishable by imprisonment (arresto) for up to twelve months or a fine. Additionally, it almost always leads to the revocation of police licenses regarding weapons and explosives.

Editorial oversight: Avv. Federico Papa·ICAMUpdated 18 September 2026Content drafted with AI support and subject to editorial source checks. Despite these controls, inaccuracies may remain: reports and rectification requests are welcome. Report a correction

What edit.legal automates

—Automatic verification of technical terminology in accordance with TULPS annexes.
—Structuring of the report template based on different scenarios of possession or discovery.
—Consistency check between the facts presented and the requirements of Art. 679 c.p.
—Generation of specific clauses for requesting the intervention of technical safety units.