|
BATF Oversight Hearing Re-Cap
|
"...[P]erhaps we hadn't reached out [to the public] the
way we thought we had..." |
|
|
-- BATF Director Bradley Buckles |
|
Rep. Sununu (R-NH) |
Rep. Sherwood (R-PA) |
On Thursday, the House Appropriations Committee Subcommittee on
Treasury, Postal Service and General Government held its oversight
hearing on the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms (BATF). In the
witness chairs were Under Secretary of the Treasury for Enforcement
Jimmy Gurule and BATF Director Bradley Buckles.
In addition to many other budget and management issues, subcommittee
members questioned Buckles on two gun issues.
First, pro-gun Rep. John E. Sununu (R-N.H.) asked Buckles about the
recent BATF regulations requiring import permits for non-immigrant
aliens to bring guns into the U.S. Noting that his congressional
district in New Hampshire includes large areas of hunting land popular
with both U.S. and Canadian residents, Rep. Sununu began by asking
Buckles what consultation BATF had with hunting and sporting groups,
outfitters, and others affected by the new rules. Buckles replied that
before September 11, a hunting license from any state was all that was
required to bring a gun into the U.S., and that in tightening the
requirement, BATF thought it had reached out to affected parties, but
that problems had turned up, and that "perhaps we hadn't reached out the
way we thought we had." He also noted that the regulation was also
published as a proposed rule so that full opportunity would be provided
for public comment.
Rep. Sununu noted confusing and conflicting answers that Canadian
shooters had received from the U.S. Customs Service about the new rules,
and asked Buckles whether Customs had been consulted, and what guidance
had been given to Customs for use at border crossings, and what steps
could be taken to make the regulations more functional for Canadian
visitors. Buckles answered that BATF was "ramping up" its Imports
Branch to provide quick processing of permits. He also said he had
notified Customs of the new rules, but that upon re-reading his letter
to Customs, he thought that it may not have made clear the urgency of
the impending changes and may have sounded too routine. Under Secretary
Gurule said that since it was his responsibility to oversee both
agencies, he would make sure to sit down with Buckles and Commissioner
of Customs Raymond Bonner to ensure that the rules were implemented more
smoothly.
Rep. Sununu continued by asking whether the current Form 6, designed
for permanent commercial importation of guns, was really the best
process for temporary visitors. Buckles responded that since their
"intent was not to hinder sportsmen" they were working on the process
"on an expedited basis," and in response to a follow-up question,
suggested it might be possible to complete the paperwork and related
background checks at the border.
Later, Rep. Don Sherwood (R-Pa.) noted that, as a hunter, he has had no
problem taking guns to England, South Africa, and Argentina - all
countries with much more restrictive gun laws than ours - and said he
hoped that if they could have simple processes for visitors, we could,
too. Rep. Sherwood also asked what would happen if Customs confiscated
someone's gun at the border due to confusion or lack of information or
proper paperwork - could the visitor retrieve it before leaving the U.S.?
Buckles said he wasn't aware of anyone having guns confiscated at this
point.
Members of the Committee will continue the oversight process as the
BATF budget request makes its way through the process. Follow-up
inquiries from the initial hearing are expected to include a detailed
examination of BATF's failures to provide the nation's firearm retailers
with the new Form 4473 by the date on which it was mandated to use.
Related Stories...
More About Federal Issues
BATF Attacking First Amendment? (Jul. 2000)
BATF Violates Federal Law (Apr. 2000)
BATF Caught Unprepared (Jan. 2000)
BATF gets new Director (Dec. 1999)
|
|
