Info everybody needs. Take action!
I copy this WITH PERMISSION from it's author. As you will see below there is a lot of work in figuring out who to contact in this matter. It's very hard and time intensive to get to the correct individuals and .gov sites to voice your opinion. This is by design. But here is the info. Spread the word, we just might can make a difference. Sorry for the length but that's just the nature of our government these days....
FWIW, The BATFE and U.S. government are required to open this request in the Federal Register for public comment. Even the notice itself states:
This notice requests comments from the public and affected agencies concerning the proposed information collection.
However, they specifically do not want public comments and make every effort to discourage public comments in several ways. The Federal Register search engine is effectively useless. Trying to search for this specific notice using keywords, BATFE or the notice date will send you on a fruitless search designed to discourage your efforts. The notice posted on the BATFE website conveniently omits the page number, which is the only effective way to find the notice in the Federal Register. The page number for this notice is 79021 by the way. Additionally, unlike many notices they know will garner significant public interest, they have omitted the option to comment on this particular notice online. They have also omitted the physical OMB address for public comment, and instead posted a toll number (202)395-6466. Finally, in their instructions for comments, they advise you to address your comments specifically to four narrow subjects regarding the notice:
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:
--Evaluate whether the proposed collection of information is necessary
for the proper performance of the functions of the agency, including
whether the information will have practical utility;
--Evaluate the accuracy of the agencies estimate of the burden of the
proposed collection of information, including the validity of the
methodology and assumptions used;
--Enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information to be
collected; 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.
For your convenience, I have attached the web addresses for the Federal Register, .pdf file of the actual notice, html file of the notice, and the press release by the BATFE regarding the notice. More importantly, I am attaching the email address of the official point of contact for this notice within BATFE. This person is responsible internally for collecting comments and suggestions for the "regular review" of the information collection request. If you, like me, find it disturbing that BATFE and OMB have by all outward appearances intentionally made it difficult to respond to this notice, I would also recommend that you contact your congressman's office to lodge a complaint. I would point out that if you wish to officially comment, it is highly recommended that you refrain from inflammatory comments. Keeping your comments fact based and to the point will make them much more effective. Feel free to post this information anywhere else you care to.
Federal Register: Main Page
http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2010/pdf/2010-31761.pdf
http://frwebgate3.access.gpo.gov/cgi-bin/TEXTgate.cgi?WAISdocID=wHqpgT/0/1/0&WAISaction=retrieve
http://www.atf.gov/p...on-webcast.html
And last but not least:
[email protected]
While significant resistance by the NRA and GOA can affect this proposal, significant public comments in the NPRM can often defeat proposals such as these. It all counts in the final tally.
