Time For Action On ATF Proposal On Multiple Rife Sales Reporting

The comment period for objecting to the proposed ATF requirement that FFL's in the Southwest border states report multiple sales of certain semi-automatic rifles is May 31st. The gun prohibitionists flooded the ATF with comments the first time and are geared up to do it again.

Comments need to be sent by May 31st to oira_submission@omb.eop.gov

I have a couple of examples of letters that can be sent. You just need to cut and past this into your email program, add your name and address, and send it. Feel free to edit the letters as you wish. The keys are to submit it by May 31st, to send it to the address above, and to include the control number - OMB Control Number 1140-New.

If I can find any form letter generators with this info, I will post it.

Long Letter

Re: OMB Control Number 1140-New

I am writing to oppose the Information collection action to register multiple sales of certain rifles with BATFE from the 04/29/2011 Federal Register: http://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/FR-2011-04-29/pdf/2011-10355.pdf.

This information collection is both illegal and unnecessary.

* The action proposed is outside the statutory grant of authority to record information about multiple sales of firearms. Title 18 U.S.C. § 923(g)(3)(A) specifically grants the authority to collect multiple sale information on handguns and revolvers. Other firearms are excluded and there is no implied authority to extend this reporting requirement to rifles or any other type of firearm.

* Analysis of the number of firearms seized shows that Mexico is being primarily supplied with firearms by South American countries, NOT the United States. In fact, a STRATFOR report indicates that fully 90% of of the firearms traced in Mexico are NOT coming from the United States, contrary to assertions in the mainstream media: http://wwwprod-1756134246.us-west-1.elb.amazonaws.com/index.php?q=weekly/20110209-mexicos-gun-supply-and-90-percent-myth.

Additionally, Wikileaks cables have shown the US Government is at least partially responsible for supplying Mexico from the United States: http://narcosphere.narconews.com/notebook/bill-conroy/2011/02/pentagon-fingered-source-narco-firepower-mexico. These firearms are NOT from the US commercial market.

* Source documents of the BATFE uncovered by US Senator Grassley and US Representative Issa show that BATFE has been complicit in supplying Mexican Narco-terrorist forces with firearms: http://www.scribd.com/doc/49971654/2011-03-03-CEG-to-DOJ-ATF.

* ”FFL” holders are already required by law to respond to BATFE requests for information on firearms distribution pursuant to criminal investigations: Title 18 U.S.C. § 923(g)(7).

* The regulation contains no provision for the destruction of information collected, which establishes a nationwide registry of “certain types of firearms” as proposed. Because of this the regulation, as proposed, is illegal under Title 18 U.S.C. § 926(a). ”No such rule or regulation … may require that records required to be maintained under this chapter or any portion of the contents of such records, be recorded at or transferred to a facility owned, managed, or controlled by the United States or any State or any political subdivision thereof, nor that any system of registration of firearms, firearms owners, or firearms transactions or disposition be established.”

There is a grave potential for this regulation to unduly burden citizens who are collectors or must obtain purchase permits at the local or state level to possess firearms. The proposed regulation does not say what the agency intends to do with the information but ostensibly it would be for criminal investigations. Subjecting law abiding gun owners to this type of investigation under the guise of “information collection” is an overt attempt to prevent them from exercising their 2nd Amendment rights to purchase and own firearms.

This regulatory action should not be approved.

Short Letter

Re: OMB Control Number 1140-New

I am writing to oppose the Information collection action to register multiple sales of certain rifles with BATFE from the 04/29/2011 Federal Register: http://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/FR-2011-04-29/pdf/2011-10355.pdf

This information collection is both illegal and unnecessary.

Specifically addressing your request for comments on 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, the collection of this additional data will impede the proper function of ATF field operations.

Even when firearm's dealers in the Southwest voluntarily provided information on multiple semi-automatic rifle sales to the ATF in an effort to prevent straw purchases and illegal sales, the ATF could not keep up with the volume of information. Adding a requirement that ALL dealers submit this information will create information overload. Because of this it would not have practical utility and would impede proper performance of the agency.

This regulatory action should not be approved.