2024-00822. Agency Information Collection Activities; Proposed eCollection eComments Requested; Extension of a Previously Approved Collection; Firearm Inquiry Statistics (FIST) Program

AGENCY:

Bureau of Justice Statistics, Department of Justice.

ACTION:

60-Day notice.

SUMMARY:

The Bureau of Justice Statistics, Department of Justice (DOJ) will be submitting the following information collection request to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for review and approval in accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995.

DATES:

Comments are encouraged and will be accepted for 60 days until March 18, 2024.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

If you have 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 Elizabeth J. Davis, Bureau of Justice Statistics, 810 Seventh Street NW, Washington, DC 20531 (email: [e-mail]; telephone: [phone]).

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

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 Bureau of Justice Statistics, including whether the information will have practical utility;

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

—Evaluate whether and if so how the quality, utility, and clarity of the information to be collected can be enhanced; 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.

Abstract: Through the Firearm Inquiry Statistics (FIST) Program, BJS obtains annual information from State and local checking agencies responsible for maintaining records on the number of background checks for firearm transfers or permits that were issued, processed, tracked, or conducted during the calendar year. Specifically, State and local checking agencies are asked to provide information on the number of applications and denials for firearm transfers received or tracked by the agency and reasons why applications were denied. BJS combines these data with the Federal Bureau of Investigation's (FBI) National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS) transaction data to produce comprehensive national statistics on firearm applications and denials resulting from the Brady Handgun Violence Prevention Act of 1993 and similar State laws governing background checks and firearm transfers. BJS will also collect information from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF) on denials screened and referred to ATF field offices for investigation and possible prosecution. BJS publishes FIST data on the BJS website in statistical tables and uses the information to respond to inquiries from Congress, Federal, State, and local government officials, researchers, students, the media, and other members of the general public interested in criminal justice statistics.

Overview of This Information Collection

1. Type of Information Collection: Extension of a previously approved collection.

2. Title of the Form/Collection: 2023–2026 Firearm Inquiry Statistics (FIST) Program.

3. Agency form number, if any, and the applicable component of the Department sponsoring the collection: The form number is FIST–1. The applicable component within the Department of Justice is the Bureau of Justice Statistics (BJS), in the Office of Justice Programs.

4. Affected public who will be asked or required to respond, as well as the obligation to respond: Affected public are State and local government. The obligation to respond is voluntary.

5. An estimate of the total number of respondents and the amount of time estimated for an average respondent to respond: The annual estimated number of respondents for the FIST data collection is 1,009. The estimated time per response is 25 minutes to complete the FIST survey form.

6. An estimate of the total annual burden (in hours) associated with the collection: The total annual burden for this collection is 420 hours, for a total of 1,680 hours for the 2023–2026 FIST program.

7. An estimate of the total annual cost burden associated with the collection, if applicable: $0.

Total Annual Burden Hours

Activity	Number of respondents	Frequency	Total annual responses	Time per response (min)	Total annual burden (hours)
2023 Survey	1,009	1	1,009	25	420
Unduplicated Totals	1,009		1,009		420
2024 Survey	1,009	1	1,009	25	420
Unduplicated Totals	1,009		1,009		420
2025 Survey	1,009	1	1,009	25	420
Unduplicated Totals	1,009		1,009		420
2026 Survey	1,009	1	1,009	25	420
Unduplicated Totals	1,009		1,009		420
Unduplicated Total 2023–2026	1,009				1,680

If additional information is required, contact: Darwin Arceo, Department Clearance Officer, United States Department of Justice, Justice Management Division, Policy and Planning Staff, Two Constitution Square, 145 N Street NE, 3E.405A, Washington, DC 20530.

Dated: January 11, 2024.

Darwin Arceo,

Department Clearance Officer for PRA, U.S. Department of Justice.