[Federal Register Volume 82, Number 60 (Thursday, March 30, 2017)]
[Notices]
[Pages 15716-15717]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2017-06275]
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DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE
Bureau of Justice Statistics
[OMB Number 1121-0314]
Agency Information Collection Activities; Proposed eCollection
eComments Requested; Extension Without Change, of a Previously Approved
Collection; Firearm Inquiry Statistics (FIST) Program
AGENCY: Bureau of Justice Statistics, Department of Justice
ACTION: 30-day notice.
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SUMMARY: The Department of Justice (DOJ), Office of Justice Programs,
Bureau of Justice Statistics, 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. This proposed information collection was
previously published in the Federal Register at 82 FR 8212 on January
24, 2017, allowing for a 60 day comment period. No comments were
received.
DATES: Comments are encouraged and will be accepted for 30 days until
May 1, 2017.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: If you have additional comments
[[Page 15717]]
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
Allina Lee, Statistical Policy Advisor, Bureau of Justice Statistics,
810 Seventh Street NW., Washington, DC 20531 (phone: 202-305-2696).
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.
Overview of This Information Collection
1. Type of Information Collection: Extension of a currently
approved collection.
2. The Title of the Form/Collection: 2016 Firearm Inquiry
Statistics Program: Annual Survey of Background Checks for Firearm
Transfers and Permits.
3. The agency form number, if any, and the applicable component of
the Department sponsoring the collection: There is no agency form
number at this time. The applicable component within the Department of
Justice is the Bureau of Justice Statistics, in the Office of Justice
Programs.
4. Affected public who will be asked or required to respond, as
well as a brief abstract: Through the Firearm Inquiry Statistics (FIST)
Program, the Bureau of Justice Statistics (BJS) obtains 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 an application was denied. BJS combines these data with the Federal
Bureau of Investigation's (FBI) National Instant Criminal Background
Check System transaction data to produce comprehensive national
statistics on firearm application and denial activities resulting from
the Brady Handgun Violence Prevention Act of 1993 (the Brady Act) and
similar state laws governing background checks and firearm transfers.
BJS also collects information from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco,
Firearms, and Explosives (ATF) on FBI denials screened and referred to
ATF field offices for investigation and possible prosecution. BJS began
the FIST program in 1995 and collects FIST data annually. BJS publishes
FIST data on the BJS Web site 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 in criminal justice
statistics.
5. An estimate of the total number of respondents and the amount of
time estimated for an average respondent to respond: An estimated 1,044
checking agencies will take part in the 2016 FIST survey, including the
34 state agency reporters that provide complete statewide counts of
applications of firearm transfers or permits and denials, a full census
of local checking agencies in 9 states where the local agencies are the
FIST points-of-contact, and a sample of agencies in 3 states where
local checking agencies are responsible for conducting background
checks. Based on testing of the current survey form and BJS's extensive
history conducting the FIST collection, BJS estimates that the burden
will vary depending on the number of permit or transfer types the
respondent agency conducts background checks: 20 minutes for agencies
that conduct background checks for 1 type; 30 minutes for agencies that
conduct background checks for 2 types; and 30 minutes for state
reporting agencies. The overall estimated burden is 25 minutes per
respondent, which is consistent with the burden associated with the 3
most recent collections (2012, 2014, and 2015).
6. An estimate of the total public burden (in hours) associated
with the collection: The estimated public burden associated with this
collection is 435 hours annually. (This estimate assumes a 100%
response rate). It is estimated that respondents will take 25 minutes
to complete a questionnaire. The burden hours for collecting respondent
data sum to 435 hours (1,044 respondents x 25 minutes = 435 hours).
If additional information is required contact: Melody Braswell,
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: March 27, 2017.
Melody Braswell,
Department Clearance Officer for PRA, U.S. Department of Justice.
[FR Doc. 2017-06275 Filed 3-29-17; 8:45 am]
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