Agency Information Collection Activities: Proposed Collection; Comments Requested

ACTION:

60-Day Emergency Notice of Information Collection Under Review: Open Letter to States With Permits That Appear to Qualify as Alternatives to NICS Checks.

The Department of Justice (DOJ), Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), has submitted the following information collection request to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for review and clearance in accordance with emergency review procedures of the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995. OMB approval has been requested by February 27, 2004. The proposed information collection is published to obtain comments from the public and affected agencies. If granted, the emergency approval is only valid for 180 days. Comments should be directed to OMB, Office of Information and Regulation Affairs, Attention: Department of Justice Desk Officer, Washington, DC 20503.

Comments are encouraged and will be accepted for 60 days until April 20, 2004.

During the first 60 days of this same review period, a regular review of this information collection is also being undertaken. All comments and suggestions, or questions regarding additional information, to include obtaining a copy of the proposed information collection instrument with instructions, should be directed to John A. Spurgeon, Deputy Chief, Firearms Programs, Room 7400, 650 Massachusetts Avenue, NW., Washington, DC 20226.

Written comments and suggestions from the public and affected agencies concerning the proposed collection of information are encouraged. Your comments should address one or more of the following four points:

—Evaluate whether the proposed collection of information is necessary for the proper performance of the functions of the agency, including whether the information will have practical utility;

—Evaluate the accuracy of the agencies estimate of the burden of the proposed collection of information, including the validity of the methodology and assumptions used;

—Enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information to be collected; and

—Minimize the burden of the collection of information on those who are to respond, including through the use of appropriate automated, electronic, mechanical, or other technological collection techniques or other forms of information technology, e.g., permitting electronic submission of responses.

Overview of this information collection:

(1) Type of Information Collection: New Collection.

(2) Title of the Form/Collection: Open Letter to States With Permits That Appear to Qualify as Alternatives to NICS Checks.

(3) Agency form number, if any, and the applicable component of the Department of Justice sponsoring the collection: Form Number: None. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.

(4) Affected public who will be asked or required to respond, as well as a brief abstract: Primary: State, Local, or Tribal Government. Other: None. The purpose of this information collection is to ensure that only State permits that meet the statutory requirements contained in the Gun Control Act qualify as alternatives to a National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS) check.

(5) An estimate of the total number of respondents and the amount of time estimated for an average respondent to respond: It is estimated that 21 respondents will take 1 hour to prepare a written response to ATF.

(6) An estimate of the total public burden (in hours) associated with the collection: There are an estimated 21 annual total burden hours associated with this collection.

If additional information is required contact: Brenda E. Dyer, Deputy Clearance Officer, United States Department of Justice, Justice Management Division, Policy and Planning Staff, Patrick Henry Building, Suite 1600, 601 D Street NW., Washington, DC 20530.