1140-0017_PART_B_justification_Feb23_2012[1]

1140-0017

Part B. Collection of Information Employing Statistical Methods

As stated above, the universe is in fact a small well defined population as compared to the universe of ALL licensees, or for that matter the entire public. In a universe of approximately 126,000 licensees (total licensees that sell, import, export, manufacture, etc.), the AFMER is only submitted by less than 6000 licensees (or less than 5% who manufacture firearms). Collection procedures are conducted through a mailing of a letter requesting the information accompanied by the form itself (it should be noted that this information collection is not voluntary, but required under 18 U.S.C. Chapter 44). Licensees are required to continue to report until notified to the contrary in writing by the Attorney General. Response rates are maximized by sending a second request for the information to all non filers approximately 8 months after the first request. Non-filers after this are referred to the field for collection of the form during routine inspections. If, when the forms come in, there is missing data, a call is placed to the licensee to discuss the incomplete data, and guidance is offered as to how the licensee may provide the required data. Although ATF did not conduct a test to determine if respondents understand the form, the form has been in use for several decades (since the early 1970s) with minimal changes. Therefore, respondents are familiar with the requirements and information necessary to submit the form.