Revocations initiations

June 07, 2024 REFER TO: 2024-01240

Mr. Wesley Lowery
MuckRock News
DEPT MR163573
Boston, Massachusetts 02115

Dear Mr. Lowery:

The Information and Privacy Governance Division (IPG) of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) received your Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request dated May13, 2024, in which you requested a list of federal firearms licensees where ATF initiated a revocation since July 2021 and any documents associated with those licensees and the current status of those revocations.

ATF post information on revocations on the ATF website. We wanted to know if you have seen the information on the public site: https://www.atf.gov/rules-and-regulations/enhanced-regulatory-enforcement-policy. If you have and still wish to obtain the records, would you be willing to narrow the scope of the request to FFL's that are on the list on the website that I have provided.
Thanks,

Pamela Grice, Ph.D.
Government Information Specialist
Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives
Public and Governmental Affairs (PGA)
Information and Privacy Governance Division (IPG)

July 09, 2024 REFER TO: 2024-01240

Mr. Wesley Lowery
MuckRock News
DEPT MR163573
Boston, Massachusetts 02115

Dear Mr. Lowery:

The Information and Privacy Governance Division (IPG) of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) received your Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request dated May13, 2024, in which you requested a list of federal firearms licensees where ATF initiated a revocation since July 2021 and any documents associated with those licensees and the current status of those revocations.

ATF post information on revocations on the ATF website. We wanted to know if you have seen the information on the public site: https://www.atf.gov/rules-and-regulations/enhanced-regulatory-enforcement-policy. If you have and still wish to obtain the records, would you be willing to narrow the scope of the request to FFL's that are on the list on the website that I have provided.

Please respond no later than July 16, 2024.
Thanks,

Pamela Grice, Ph.D.
Government Information Specialist
Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives
Public and Governmental Affairs (PGA)
Information and Privacy Governance Division (IPG)

"Hello Mr. Wesley,

I just want to make sure that I have a full understanding. Does the information on the website satisfy your request or do you still want "any documents connected to the revocations, as well as the current status of the revocations for the FFL's listed on: https://www.atf.gov/rules-and-regulations/enhanced-regulatory-enforcement-policy.

Sorry for the confusion. I just want to make sure that we are satisfying your request.

Thanks,
Pamela"

July 18, 2024 REFER TO: 2024-01240

Mr. Wesley Lowery
MuckRock News
DEPT MR163573
Boston, Massachusetts 02115

Dear Mr. Lowery:

This is to acknowledge receipt of your Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request dated May 13, 2024, and received by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) on May 13, 2024, in which you requested records concerning Federal Firearms Licensees (FFLs) for which ATF initiated a revocation since July 2021.

The records you seek require a search in at least one other office within ATF. Accordingly, your request presents “unusual circumstances” under the FOIA. See 5 U.S.C. § 552(a)(6)(B)(iii)(I). Because of these unusual circumstances, we are extending the time limit to respond to your request by ten additional days, as permitted by the statute. We have not completed a search to determine whether there are records within the scope of your request. The time needed to process your request will depend on the complexity of our records search and on the volume and complexity of any records located.

For your information, this office assigns incoming requests to one of three tracks: simple, complex, or expedited. Each request is then handled on a first-in, first-out basis in relation to other requests in the same track. Simple requests usually receive a response in approximately one month, whereas complex requests necessarily take longer. Your request was assigned to the Complex track. It was placed in chronological order based on the date of receipt and will be handled as quickly as possible when it is assigned for processing. Your request was assigned ATF tracking number 2024-01240. Please refer to this number in any future communications regarding this request.

Because this Office is not assessing any fees in connection with the processing of FOIA requests at this time, there is no need for us to determine whether your request qualifies for a waiver of fees.

If you have any questions regarding the status of your request, you may contact our FOIA Public Liaison at 202-648-7390. Additionally, you may contact the Office of Government Information Services (OGIS) at the National Archives and Records Administration to inquire about the FOIA mediation services they offer. The contact information for OGIS is as follows: Office of Government Information Services, National Archives and Records Administration, 8601 Adelphi Road-OGIS, College Park, Maryland 20740-6001; e-mail at ogis@nara.gov; telephone at 202-741-5770; toll free at 1-877-684-6448; or facsimile at 202-741-5769.

Sincerely,

Hirsh D. Kravitz
Acting Chief
Information and Privacy Governance Division

Hello Wesley Lowery,

Thank you for your continued patience as we process your Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request. We are writing to inform you that your request is still open and actively being worked on. We are tracking your request using the original request ID: 2024-01240.

Please note that the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) is currently undergoing a system migration. Starting Sunday, September 22, 2024, we will temporarily lose access to our current system. However, there is no need for concern; our team will continue processing your request during this transition.

You will receive updates about our new system via email from foia-team@atf.gov. If you have any questions or need assistance, feel free to reach out to us at the same email address.

Should your request still be open when the new system is implemented, you will receive a new link to create an account in the updated system, where documents will be shared. If your request is complete, we will notify you through email. Alternatively, if you no longer wish for our office to continue processing your request, please let us know that as well.

For any immediate inquiries, please contact our FOIA Public Liaisons at 202-648-7390.

Thank you for your understanding and support during this transition.

Sincerely,

Hirsh D. Kravitz
Acting Chief
Information and Privacy Governance Division
Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco Firearms and Explosives (ATF)

Hi Mr. Lowery:

I hope you are doing well. I wanted to reach out concerning your request for [a] a list of all FFLs for which ATF has initiated a revocation since July 2021, [b] any documents connected to those revocations, and [c] the current status of those revocations. I apologize for the delay in our response. We conducted a search and located several thousand records that may be responsive to your request. As you may know, ATF posts a list of FFLs Revoked on its website here: https://www.atf.gov/rules-and-regulations/enhanced-regulatory-enforcement-policy. The website also includes Reports of Inspection and Revocation documents relative to these FFLs for Calendar Years 2021 and 2022. I am hoping you can provide me a little additional context as to what, if any, additional records you seek. For example, we may be able to conduct a search for any extra documents related to revocation (and not posted on the website) for Fiscal Year 2021. Any additional information you can provide would be helpful and will allow us to provide you a response as quickly as possible.

Thanks in advance and I look forward to working with you.

Sincerely,

Timothy J. Earley, Esq.
Government Information Specialist
Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF)
Division of Information and Privacy Governance (IPG)
timothy.earley@atf.gov<mailto:timothy.earley@atf.gov>

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Hi Mr. Lowery:

I'm following up on my prior email dated 01/16/25, concerning the scope of your request for [a] a list of all FFLs for which ATF has initiated a revocation since July 2021, [b] any documents connected to those revocations, and [c] the current status of those revocations. Is there something you are specifically interested in or any other way to narrow the scope of your request so we can try and provide you with a response as quickly as possible? Any additional information you can provide would be helpful. Please provide us with some additional information to ensure we are conducting a proper and adequate search. Please respond by 01/30/25 or we will consider your request closed.
Thanks,

Timothy J. Earley, Esq.
Government Information Specialist
Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF)
Division of Information and Privacy Governance (IPG)
timothy.earley@atf.gov<mailto:timothy.earley@atf.gov>

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Hi Mr. Lowery:

This is the third and final follow up concerning your request for [a] a list of all FFLs for which ATF has initiated a revocation since July 2021, [b] any documents connected to those revocations, and [c] the current status of those revocations. We previously contacted you via email on 01/16/25 and 01/23/25 to discuss the scope of your request. In our prior correspondence we indicated that if we did not hear from you, we would consider your request closed. Because we have not received a response to our last correspondence dated 01/23/25, we are now considering your request closed.
Best,

Timothy J. Earley, Esq.
Government Information Specialist
Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF)
Division of Information and Privacy Governance (IPG)
timothy.earley@atf.gov<mailto:timothy.earley@atf.gov>

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