ATF quietly laying groundwork to expand multiple rifle sales reporting

<img src="http://cdn2-b.examiner.com/sites/default/files/styles/image_content_widt... align="right" width="240">A little noticed and virtually unreported April 15 notice posted in the Federal Register suggests the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco Firearms and Explosives intends expanding the multiple rifle sale requirement currently imposed on four border states (Arizona, California, New Mexico and Texas) to all states.

Titled “Agency Information Collection Activities; Proposed eCollection eComments Requested; Report of Multiple Sale or Other Disposition of Certain Rifles,” and assigned OMB Number 1140–0100, the 60-day notice abstract declares “The purpose of this information collection is to require Federal Firearms Licensees to report multiple sales or other dispositions whenever the licensee sells or otherwise disposes of two or more rifles within any five consecutive business days with the following characteristics: (a) Semi automatic; (b) a caliber greater than .22; and (c) the ability to accept a detachable magazine.
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“Comments are encouraged and will be accepted for 60 days until June 16, 2014,” the notice advises. That means much of the comment period has already passed with most unaware it ever began. And the ATF website offers no additional information other than links to the notice and to various forms.

The question now becomes, especially with a seeming total lack of publicity, is ATF attempting an “under the radar” action to impose on the entire country what they previously imposed (over objections that could have been stronger) on southwest gun buyers and sellers?

“That's what it looks like,” one legal adviser approached for his read on this development offered. “And no, I haven't seen this yet, which is strange as I'm subscribed to the ATF Federal Register filings.”

Compounding the lack of information: There is nothing about this posted during April on ATF’s press release page. But such a move by the Holder Justice Department would not be unexpected.

“Now that ATF is saying straw purchasers are altering their behavior, expect that to be used as justification to expand this requirement to all the states,” this column anticipated in a May 5, 2012 report.

Those wishing to make comments within the 41 remaining days the period will be open can find further information on the Federal Register proposal information page, and then click on the “Submit a formal comment” button -- or you can try to. Several attempts were made and no comment form appeared. There was, however, further instruction on the page the link cycles back to.

“If you have additional comments especially on the estimated public burden or associated response time, suggestions, or need a copy of the proposed information collection instrument with instructions or additional information, please contact Natisha Taylor at fipb- informationcollection@atf.gov, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, Firearms Industry Programs Branch, Washington, DC 20226,” the Federal Register post advises.

Also of note: Searches for “OMB Number 1140–0100” yield no results at this writing on Regulations.gov and the OMB’s Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs websites, both of which have been referenced in the past for ATF comment periods, such as when Gun Rights Examiner was encouraging input during the proposed NFA rule change comment period. Whether this is just a temporary issue is unknown at this time, so readers are encouraged to test things for themselves. Also unknown is if this would be justification to extend the comment period.

Still, it's curious that email appears to be the primary way to submit comments, particularly since this column was advised that anti-gun activists used an "automated form emailer" to flood ATF with supportive comments when the original border states scheme was soliciting public input. That could be repeated here.

Then again, there may be a more benign explanation.

Read more, with updates, at http://www.examiner.com/article/atf-quietly-laying-groundwork-to-expand-...