[Federal Register: March 26, 2002 (Volume 67, Number 58)]
[Notices]               
[Page 13806-13807]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr26mr02-77]                         

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DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE

Federal Bureau of Investigation

 
Agency Information Collection Activities: New Collection, 
Comments Requested

ACTION: 60 Day emergency notice of information collection under review: 
new collection; voluntary appeal file brochure.

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    The Department of Justice (DOJ), Federal Bureau of Investigation 
(FBI) 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 March 1, 2002. 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 the OMB, Office 
of Information and Regulatory Affairs, Attn: Department of Justice Desk 
Officer, (202) 395-6466, Washington, DC, 20530.
    During the first 60 days of this same review period, a regulator 
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 Natalie 
Goff-Haggerty, Program Analyst, Federal Bureau of Investigation, CJIS 
Division, Module A-3, 1000 Custer Hollow Road, Clarksburg, West 
Virginia 26306, or facsimile at (304) 625-2356.
    Request written comments and suggestions from the public and 
affected agencies concerning the proposed collection of information. 
Your comments should address one or more of the following four points:
    (1) Evaluate whether the proposed collection of information is 
necessary for the proper performance of the function of the agency, 
including whether the information will have practical utility;
    (2) Evaluate the accuracy of the agency's estimate of the burden of 
the proposed collection of the information, including the validity of 
the methodology and assumptions used;
    (3) Enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information to 
be collected; and
    (4) Minimize the burden of 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:
    (1) Type of Information Collection: New data collection.
    (2) Title of the Form: Voluntary Appeal File Brochure.
    (3) Agency Form Number, if any, and the applicable component of the 
department sponsoring the collection: Form Number: None.
    Sponsor: Criminal Justice Information Services Division of, Federal 
Bureau of Investigation, Department of Justice
    (4) Affected Public who will be asked or required to respond, as 
well as a brief abstract: Primary: Any individual requesting entry into 
the FBI/NICS Voluntary Appeal File (VAF).
    Brief Abstract: Under the NICS final rule, 28 CFR 25.9(b)(1), (2), 
(3), published on (DATE), the NICS must destroy all identifying 
information on allowed transactions before the start of the next NICS 
operational day. If a potential purchaser is delayed or denied a 
firearm, then successfully appeals the decision, the NICS would not be 
able to retain the record(s) of the appeal or any supporting 
documentation/information. The purchaser would be continually if the 
record could not be updated, would be required to appeal the decision 
and resubmit documentation/information to overtime the appeal on 
subsequent purchases. The proposed change in the regulation would 
permit lawful purchasers to request that the NICS maintain 
documentation/information on the individual in a VAF will be maintained 
by the NICS for the purpose of preventing the future lengthy delays or 
denials of a firearm transfer.
    The application contained on the VAF brochure will be the means for 
an individual to request entry into the VAF. This form will be 
available to the public through Federal Firearm Licensees, state points 
of contacts for gun checks, and on the NICS website at he internet 
address: www.fbi.gov/programs/nics/index/htm.
    (5) An estimate of the total number of respondents and the amount 
of time estimated for an average respondent to respond: The number of 
persons requesting entry into the VAF is estimated to be 24,000 
individuals. It takes an average of five minutes to read and complete 
all areas of the application, an estimated two hours for the process of 
fingerprinting including travel, and 25 minutes to mail the form for a 
total of two and a half hours estimated burden to the respondent.
    (6) An estimate to the total burden (in hours) associated with the 
collection: The number of persons requesting entry into the VAF is 
estimated to be 24,000 individuals. The time it takes each individual 
to complete the process is 2.5 hours. The total public burden hours is 
24,000 respondents times 2.5 hours which would equal 60,000 total 
burden hours.
    If additional information is required contact Mr. Robert B. Briggs, 
Department Clearance Officer, Information Management and Security 
Staff, Justice Management Division, United States Department of 
Justice, Patrick Henry Building, Suite 1600, 601 D Street, NW., 
Washington, DC 20530.


[[Page 13807]]


    Dated: March 20, 2002.
Robert B. Briggs,
Department Clearance Officer, Department of Justice.
[FR Doc. 02-7169 Filed 3-25-02; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4410-02-M