On May 8, 2007, the OIG sent a copy of the draft report to the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) with a request for written comments. In a memorandum dated June 13, 2007, ATF agreed with the report’s eight recommendations but did not describe the actions it had taken or planned to take to implement the recommendations. As a result of ATF’s response, the recommendations are resolved and remain open. The ATF response also discussed technical and factual matters, and we made revisions to the report to address them where appropriate.

Recommendation 1. ATF should improve the ATF website by making it easier for the public to find National Firearms Act (NFA) information, such as frequently asked questions, application forms and instructions, NFA Branch contact information, and the NFA handbook.

Status. Resolved – open.

Summary of the ATF Response. ATF concurred with this recommendation.

OIG Analysis. To close this recommendation, please provide the OIG with documentation that the ATF website has been changed to make it easier to find NFA information by September 30, 2007.

Recommendation 2. ATF should develop and disseminate to all NFA Branch staff a comprehensive standard operating procedures manual that includes all NFA weapons application processes, NFRTR processes, and data entry codes and abbreviations.

Status. Resolved – open.

Summary of the ATF Response. ATF concurred with this recommendation.

OIG Analysis. To close this recommendation, please provide the OIG with a copy of the standard operating procedures manual by September 30, 2007.

Recommendation 3. ATF should develop uniform and structured training for new staff members that includes standard operating procedures and hands-on experience with the NFRTR. ATF should ensure that all NFA Branch staff members attend the training and that the staff trainers are themselves properly trained. ATF should provide training for the Section Chiefs on supervisory techniques.

Status. Resolved – open.

Summary of the ATF Response. ATF concurred with this recommendation.

OIG Analysis. As mentioned in the report, ATF began offering training opportunities to NFA Branch staff members during our review, which was a positive development. To close this recommendation, please provide the OIG with a copy of the NFA Branch training plan by September 30, 2007.

Recommendation 4. ATF should establish regular and recurring methods of communication to NFA Branch staff.

Status. Resolved – open.

Summary of the ATF Response. ATF concurred with this recommendation.

OIG Analysis. The NFA Branch began holding monthly staff meetings with Section Chiefs and Examiners during our review, which was a positive development. To close this recommendation, please provide the OIG with copies of subsequent meeting minutes or agendas and the plan for establishing other regular forms of communication by September 30, 2007.

Recommendation 5. ATF should resolve discrepancies between the NFRTR and inventories of federal firearms licensees in a timely manner.

Status. Resolved – open.

Summary of the ATF Response. ATF concurred with this recommendation.

OIG Analysis. To close this recommendation, please provide the OIG with the status of the backlog of discrepancies between the NFRTR and the federal firearms licensees’ inventories as well as ATF’s plan for resolving the backlog in a timely manner by September 30, 2007.

Recommendation 6. ATF should develop and implement an action plan to fix technical programming flaws and errors in the NFRTR.

Status. Resolved – open.

Summary of the ATF Response. ATF concurred with this recommendation.

OIG Analysis. To close this recommendation, please provide the OIG with the action plan and the status of actions for fixing technical programming flaws and errors in the NFRTR by September 30, 2007.

Recommendation 7. ATF should develop and implement an action plan for eliminating the backlog of imaging and indexing forms for the imaging database.

Status. Resolved – open.

Summary of the ATF Response. ATF concurred with this recommendation.

OIG Analysis. To close this recommendation, please provide the OIG with the action plan and the status of actions for eliminating the backlog of imaging and indexing forms for the imaging database by September 30, 2007.

Recommendation 8. ATF should develop and implement an action plan for completing the e-Forms project.

Status. Resolved – open.

Summary of the ATF Response. ATF concurred with this recommendation.

OIG Analysis. To close this recommendation, please provide the OIG with the action plan and the status of actions for completing the e-Forms project by September 30, 2007.