02-15371. Proposed Collection; Comment Request

ACTION:

Notice and request for comments.

SUMMARY:

The Department of the Treasury, as part of its continuing effort to reduce paperwork and respondent burden, invites the general public and other Federal agencies to take this opportunity to comment on proposed and/or continuing information collections, as required by the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, Public Law 104-13 (44 U.S.C. 3506(c)(2)(A)). Currently, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms within the Department of the Treasury is soliciting comments concerning the Identification Markings Placed on Firearms, 27 CFR 178.92 and 179.102.

DATES:

Written comments should be received on or before August 19, 2002, to be assured of consideration.

ADDRESSES:

Direct all written comments to Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms, Linda Barnes, 650 Massachusetts Avenue, NW., Washington, DC 20226, [phone].

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Requests for additional information or copies of the form(s) and instructions should be directed to Gail Davis, Chief, Public Safety Branch, 800 K Street NW., Suite 710, Washington, DC 20001, [phone].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Title: Identification Markings Placed on Firearms, 27 CFR 178.92 and 179.102.

OMB Number: 1512-0550.

Abstract: Section 923(i) of the Gun Control Act of 1968 requires licensed manufacturers and importers to legibly identify firearms by engraving or stamping certain information such as serial numbers on firearms. To reduce the problem of incorrect record entries by licensees and to make identification markings less susceptible to being readily obliterated, altered, or removed, ATF proposes to amend the regulations to prescribe minimum height and depth requirements for identification markings placed on firearms.

Current Actions: There are no changes to this information collection and it is being submitted for extension purposes only.

Type of Review: Extension.

Affected Public: Business or other for profit.

Estimated Number of Respondents: 2,506.

Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours: 5,665.

Request for Comments

Comments submitted in response to this notice will be summarized and/or included in the request for OMB approval. All comments will become a matter of public record. Comments are invited on: (a) Whether the collection of information is necessary for the proper performance of the functions of the agency, including whether the information shall have practical utility; (b) the accuracy of the agency's estimate of the burden of the collection of information; (c) ways to enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information to be collected; (d) ways to minimize the burden of the collection of information on respondents, including through the use of automated collection techniques or other forms of information technology; and (e) estimates of capital or start-up costs and costs of operation, maintenance, and purchase of services to provide information.

Dated: June 12, 2002.

William T. Earle,

Assistant Director (Management), CFO.