When the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosive (and Really Big Fires) first announced their plan to force some 8500 gun dealers in four states to file a same-day report on any sale of two or more larger than .22 caliber rifles to the same buyer in a five-day period, the ATF called it an “emergency” measure. You know; to combat the “iron river” of guns flowing from Bob’s Gun Store to Los Zetas drug lords. Official notification in the Federal Register [OMB Number 1140–NE] gave the heads-up. When acting ATF Head Kenneth Melson stepped-up to the microphone to sell the plan, we learned that the form would be valid for 180-days. The long gun registry is a one-year deal. Worse, the ATF jefe revealed the registry as a “pilot program,” signaling the ATF’s intention to extend the scope and/or duration of the patently illegal plan after one year. Just in case you didn’t catch that, here’s an email the ATF sent a forum member at gunrightsmedia.com . . .
Thank you for your comment regarding the 60-day emergency notice of information collection relating to ATF Form 3310.12 (Report of Multiple Sale or Other Disposition of Certain Rifles), published in the Federal Register on December 17, 2010. The Federal Register and supplement form may be found at: http://www.atf.gov/regulations-rulin…l-notices.html
The primary purpose of this program is to improve law enforcement’s ability to identify firearms traffickers, to disrupt the criminal activity and to stop deadly violence plaguing the Southwest Border States and Mexico. The multiple sales reports will apply only to rifles that are semi-automatic, greater than .22 caliber, and have the ability to accept a detachable magazine.
ATF intends to implement this program to require that Federal firearms licensees in the States of California, Arizona, New Mexico, and Texas complete the form for those transactions in which an individual purchases two or more of these rifles within five business days. We intend to evaluate the results at the end of a 1 year pilot period, at which time ATF may expand, narrow or discontinue the program.
As mentioned in the notice, if granted by the Office of Management and Budget (OMB), the emergency approval of the form is valid for 180 days. All comments received in response to the notice will be carefully considered and, if warranted, revisions to the form will be made.
I’d also like to pont out that nothing has been said about the destruction of these records, as is required for all FBI criminal background checks related to firearms sales. Nothing.
Nothing is more permanent than a temporary government program.