FR 2021-02192

The document in question is a notice from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), a component of the United States Department of Justice. It announces a 60-day period for public comments regarding a proposed information collection effort titled "Police Check Inquiry—ATF Form 8620.42." This form aims to gather personal information, which will help assess whether non-ATF individuals qualify for escorted access to ATF facilities. The form is estimated to be completed by approximately 1,000 respondents annually, taking roughly 5 minutes per respondent.

General Summary

The ATF is inviting comments on the necessity, accuracy, and methods of the data collection process. This kind of public participation is part of the standard federal procedure established by the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, which ensures that government agencies effectively manage and justify the paperwork required from the public. The main objective is to determine whether the information collection is essential for the agency's functioning and if it provides practical utility.

Significant Issues and Concerns

Several significant points arise from the document:

• Lack of Justification for Necessity: The notice does not explicitly justify why the proposed information collection is necessary for the ATF’s operations. Including detailed reasoning could clarify its practical utility and help inform public comments.

• Methodology and Assumptions: The document does not clearly explain the methodology and assumptions used to calculate the public burden associated with the form. Understanding how the 83-hour burden was estimated would enable a clearer assessment of its accuracy.

• Complexity in Burden Estimation: The estimated time of 4.98 minutes per respondent could be more clearly communicated, perhaps by rounding or explaining why such a precise figure is utilized. This would make the information more accessible to the general public.

• Use of Collected Information: The document lacks detail on how the collected data will be used to improve its quality, utility, and clarity, which is a critical aspect for commentators to consider.

• Potential Costs of Electronic Submissions: There is no mention of any costs or considerations related to implementing electronic submissions, which could be significant for stakeholders involved in the process.

Broader Public Impact

For the general public, the undertaking of this information collection could have varying impacts. On one hand, ensuring that personnel accessing ATF facilities meet certain standards is crucial for the agency's security and efficiency. On the other hand, the public might be concerned about how their personal information is handled and whether the data collection is truly justified.

Impact on Specific Stakeholders

Specific stakeholders, including individuals required to fill out the form, might experience minor inconveniences due to the time needed to complete it. For departments and professionals involved in managing the information collection process, requirements for efficient data handling and reporting accuracy might increase. Additionally, stakeholders interested in privacy and data protection might scrutinize the necessity and management of personally identifiable information.

Overall, this document provides an opportunity for the public and stakeholders to influence federal data collection practices. However, for effective participation, the issues outlined here should be addressed, ensuring the public and stakeholders are well-informed and understand the significance and implications of their input.