As we previously reported (see FAX Alert Vol. 7, No. 2), the BATF entered 2000 as one of the few entities not fully prepared for computer problems arising from a year ending with "00." U.S. Representative John Dingell (D-Mich.) asked the BATF's director, Bradley Buckles, for explanations as to why a computer glitch caused BATF to halt issuing Federal Firearms Licenses (FFLs) on January 3, and how widespread the problem was. On January 21, the deadline Representative Dingell had set for a response, Director Buckles sent his reply, claiming that BATF's Y2K problems were confined solely to a security alarm and access system at its Los Angeles Field Division Office and the aforementioned system that controls the issuing of FFLs. Buckles letter claimed that the problems with the system for issuing FFLs were fixed by January 10, and "the temporary cessation of licensing did not adversely affect the normal license issuance cycle time of 6-8 weeks." He also said BATF "never had to resort to manual issuance of licenses," as had been reported by the media. If anything significant develops on this front, rest assured we will report it.
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