Overview
Title
Agency Information Collection Activities; Proposed eCollection of eComments Requested; Revision of a Currently Approved Collection; Application and Permit for Permanent Exportation of Firearms (National Firearms Act)-ATF Form 9 (5320.9)
Agencies
ELI5 AI
The ATF wants to change a form used to send guns to other countries, making sure it's easier to fill out and asking for people's email addresses too. They also want to hear what people think about these changes until April 5, 2021.
Summary AI
The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), part of the Department of Justice, is seeking public comments on a proposed revision to its information collection process related to the exportation of firearms. The revision involves an increase in the number of respondents and the burden hours required to complete the ATF Form 9 (5320.9), which is necessary for Federal firearms licensees who deal, manufacture, or import NFA firearms. The updates also include minor changes such as updating references from the NFA Branch to the NFA Division, and requesting the applicant's email address. Public comments are invited to address the utility, accuracy, clarity, and burden of the information collection until April 5, 2021.
Abstract
The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), Department of Justice (DOJ), will submit the following information collection request to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for review and approval in accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995. The proposed information collection (IC) OMB 1140-008 (Application and Permit for Permanent Exportation of Firearms (National Firearms Act)--ATF Form 9 (5320.9)) is being revised due to an increase in the total annual respondents and burden hours. Minor changes to update of all references from NFA Branch to NFA Division, and to request the applicant's email address were also made to the form. The proposed IC is also being published to obtain comments from the public and affected agencies.
Keywords AI
Sources
AnalysisAI
The document provides an announcement from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), under the Department of Justice. It is inviting public commentary on proposed revisions to its information collection method concerning the exportation of firearms, specifically ATF Form 9 (5320.9). This form is used by Federal firearms licensees involved in dealing, manufacturing, or importing National Firearms Act (NFA) firearms. A key part of this proposal is an increase in the number of respondents and associated burden hours. The revision also includes technical changes such as an update from references to the NFA Branch to the NFA Division and the addition of a request for the applicant’s email address.
Significant Issues or Concerns
Several issues emerge upon reviewing the document:
Lack of Financial Clarity: The document does not delve into any financial ramifications related to the increased burden hours or the expanded number of respondents. This omission can cause difficulty in evaluating potential financial waste or efficiencies.
Data Privacy and Security: There is no mention of how the ATF secures and manages the collected data. Such a lack of transparency can lead to concerns about the privacy and protection of applicants' information, especially since the revision now asks for email addresses.
Form Usage and Efficacy: While the document references ATF Form 9, there is no insight into the efficacy or regularity of its use. Understanding these aspects could provide context on the necessity and efficiency of the form.
Insufficient Detail on Increased Submissions: The document states an increase in industry submissions but does not explain what has caused this uptick. A deeper dive into these reasons would aid respondents in understanding the revision’s need.
Process for Handling Comments: The channels for submitting comments are clear, yet there’s no information on how these comments will be processed or considered, which might deter public participation if individuals feel their feedback won’t be valued or addressed.
Impact on the General Public
The document invites public participation, reflecting an openness to consider stakeholder perspectives on government activities. For the general public, this kind of engagement can increase transparency and accountability in federal operations, fostering trust in government processes.
Impact on Specific Stakeholders
For the firearms industry, particularly those holding federal firearms licenses, this revision could imply additional administrative work due to the increase in associated burden hours. However, if executed well, it might result in more robust compliance frameworks, benefiting businesses by clarifying regulations.
For privacy advocates, the lack of clarity on data handling might raise alarms. Understanding how personal information is protected can significantly impact trust levels among these stakeholders.
In conclusion, while the document aims to revise and refine the information collection process, it leaves several unanswered questions around privacy, administrative burden, and process implementation. Both general and specific stakeholders could benefit from clearer communication and transparency regarding these factors.
Issues
• The document does not specify any financial aspects related to the information collection, making it difficult to identify potential wasteful spending.
• The document lacks specifics on how the ATF handles the collected information, potentially raising concerns about data privacy and security.
• The form number (ATF Form 9 (5320.9)) is provided, but there is no information on how commonly it is used or its effectiveness in achieving the intended objectives.
• The explanation of the change in estimates is brief and lacking detail on what specifically has caused the increase in volume of industry submissions.
• The language used in describing the method of submitting comments (mail, email, or phone) is clear, but there is no information on what happens after comments are submitted (e.g., how they are processed or addressed).