ATF records issues

The next two files contain memos and other documents related to the accuracy of the NFA Registry, but not produced by the government as part the fallout from Mr. Busey's remarks.

Then there are other documents on similar records issues with the ATF.

1. The transcript of the training session, and a two page correction.
2. Report of internal investigation into Tom Busey, for suggesting ATF employees commit perjury as to the Registry.
3. Agenda of 11/94 meeting on improving NFA Registry, and other ATF databases.
4. 2/96 audit of accuracy of Registry.
5. 4/91 memo from Wayne Miller concerning case law on Registry inaccuracies.
6. 1979-80 information following July 1979 Congressional Hearings on ATF, including problems with the Registry.

• 1975 memos referenced in the material in the Congressional Hearings.
• Memos from 1979, 1980 and 1981 concerning the accuracy and status of the NFRTR.
• 1980 memo regarding FOIA release of registration info, regarding Auto Ordnance Co.
  
• Eric Larson's testimony before Congress, which the below file is part of, is now available from the GPO. The pertinent info is:
  The title is TREASURY, POSTAL SERVICE, AND GENERAL GOVERNMENT APPROPRIATIONS FOR FISCAL YEAR 1998, PART 5 TESTIMONY OF MEMBERS OF CONGRESS AND OTHER INTERESTED INDIVIDUALS AND ORGANIZATIONS. The ISBN is 0-16-054944-2, Stock Number 552-070-20810-1. The cost is $20 from the U.S. Government Printing Office, Superintendent of Documents, Congressional Sales Office, Washington, D.C. 20402; their telephone for orders is (202) 512-1808.
• April 1997 study by Eric Larson on errors in the NFA Registry
• This file is correspondence between Eric Larson and ATF regarding ATF's refusal to agree to provide copies of NFA paperwork to the lawful owner upon request, rather than claiming discretion to provide such copies.
• Various statements and letters about Eric Larson's investigation
• Correspondence between Eric Larson and Senator Orrin Hatch on the topic
• Larson letter to Carol Bergen 12/29/97 about example of ATF records problems from defunct H&R factory
• Letter from ATF to Larson re copies of NFA transfer forms
• Appeal from denial of Larson's FOIA request for ATF report (about his investigation)
• 1/98 letter from Larson to Nereida Levine re firearms registration (on the legal status of weapons which have old bad registrations and new legal transfers)
• 9/97 report on investigation into Larson's accusations ATF officials lied about NFA weapons status and registry status
• 2/98 letter from Larson to ATF chief John Magaw, regarding the 9/97 Groh report.
• Testimony from a representative of the Collectors Arms Dealers Association about the questionable NFA registration records (specifically AOW's made in or before 1934 as "collector item firearms") that was (a small) part of Congressional hearings is availible.
  The cost is $19 from USGPO, Washington, D.C. 20402; their telephone for retail sales is (202) 512-1800; the title is TREASURY, POSTAL SERVICE, AND GENERAL GOVERNMENT APPROPRIATIONS FOR FISCAL YEAR 1995, PART 5; the ISBN for the publication is: 0-16-052677-9
• Larson's 1/98 FOIA appeal letter US v. 18 various firearms
• 4/97 testimony before Congress by Eric Larson re. pre-34 AOW guns
• 2/98 letter from Noel Napolilli to ATF regarding seized machine gun (and ATF records, situation was mentioned in Larson testimony)
• 3/98 Letter from ATF re registration status of Larson's Handy-guns
• 3/98 letter from Larson to ATF re Handy Guns
• 3/98 letter from John LeaSure's attorney re destruction of NFA registration documents
• March 22, 1998 letter from Larson to Orin Hatch proposing that the NFRTR be moved from the ATF to the Dept. of Justice.
• Testimony of Larson's Proposed Removal of the National Firearms Registration and Transfer Record from the Custody of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms and its Proposed Relocation to the Department of Justice. Submitted to the House Subcommittee on Treasury, Postal Service and General Government Appropriations on April 3, 1998
• Additional part of April 3, 1998 testimony by Larson
• Denial to Larson of FOIA for the Thomas Busey (Cheif, National Firearms Act Branch) tape.
• 1998 Congressional testimony of John Picchietti, president Collector Arms Dealers Association
• 1998 Congressional testimony of John LeaSure, reguarding his criminal case with the ATF.
• 5/2/98 letter from Eric Larson to Sen. Roth
• April 24, 1998 letter from Eric Larson to Department of Justice Inspector General
• May 29, 1998 letter from Eric Larson to Senator Mikulski, and response from Chief, National Firearms Act Branch
• June 17, 1998 letter from DOJ Inspector General to Eric Larson re NFA records errors and omissions
• June 5, 1998 letter from Mont Lamar Mendenhall to Senator Faircloth
• Instructions for ordering some of the ATF records issue congressional testimony by Larson and others
• July 2, 1998 letter from DOJ Inspector General to Eric Larson re NFA records
• Comment from Eric Larson reguarding the apparent disappearance of "March 1995 project to clean-up (review and amend) the entire National Registry"
• 9/98 seven declarations by NFA dealers and owners as to errors in NFA Registry
• 8/98 Letter from ATF chief John Magaw to Senator Gramm about Larson's request for info
• Comments From Eric Larson about and FOIA request letter for NFA registration activity
• Eric Larson's FOIA to the ATF about their March 1995 project to clean-up (review and amend) the entire National Registry
• Denial of Eric Larson's FOIA request for the NFRTR data entry manual
• Eric Larson's appeal of denial of his FOIA request for the NFRTR data entry manual
• 1996 memos provided to the U.S. Attorneys reguarding the Busey remarks at roll call.
• 10/98 Inspector General Report on NFA Registry
• Letter from Inspector General to Eric Larson and response from Eric Larson, reguarding Report on NFA Registry
• 12/98 Inspector General Report on NFA Registry
• Eric Larson response to 10/98 IG report on NFA Registry
• Draft legislation to create a Civilian Commission on Historical Firearms
• 1999 Eric Larson testimony before Congress regarrding ATF record keeping
• May 18, 1999 FOIA response to Eric Larson from ATF stateing that it can't produce reliable NFRTR data
• 1999 NFRTR accuracy and amnesty testimony ordering instructions
• July 1999 letter from Eric Larson to Magaw (Directory ATF) about NFRTR amnesty period and generally
• August 1999 Letter exchange between Eric Larson and Magaw about NFRTR and ATF's responses to various other gov't entities about Larson's complaints
• July/August/October 1999 series of letters between Eric Larson and ATF's Chisholm reguarding FOIA for NFRTR manual
• October 1999 Letter from Eric Larson appealing apparent redaction in ATF FOIA response about NFRTR manual
• Various 1997 letters between Congressman Dan Burton and Inspector Generals office and ATF, as provided in response to FOIA request from Eric Larson
• November 1999 letter from Eric Larson to ATF Director Magaw reguarding issues about apparent redaction in FOIA about NFRTR manual, and claim that ATF has never created certain portions of NFRTR manual
• 1993 ATF Memo on US v 18 firearms case
• November 1999 letter from ATF Director Magaw to Eric Larson reguarding accuracy of NFRTR and lack of need for amnesty period
• Novemeber 1999 letter from ATF Firearms Technology Branch Chief Owen to Eric Larson about new policy about removing unregistered firearms from the purview of the NFA
• December 1999 letter from Eric Larson to ATF Director Magaw reguarding Magaw's assertions in November 1999 letter that there were no problems with NFRTR
• Document about disadvantages of a new NFA amnesty submited by ATF to House Subcommittee on Treasury, Postal Service and General Government Appropriations during a November 19, 1999 meeting.
• Set of correspondances between Eric Larson and ATF Assistant director Wooten, reguarding November 1999 letter from Magaw. Also see Magaw letter.
• January 2000 letter from Eric Larson to Congressman Kolbe and Burton about ATF's document on disadvantages of a new NFA amnesty
• January 2000 letter from ATF to Eric Larson in response to response to Larson's December 4, 1999 letter
• ATF memo about dead people who are the registered owners of NFA weapons
• January 2000 letter from Eric Larson to Congressman Kolbe about ATF's plan about "fixing" some of the NFA records issues
• Letter from Eric Larson to Ed Owen at ATF about what is required to remove an H&R Handy gun from the purview of the NFA
• January 2000 ATF's denial of Eric Larson's appeal of their FOIA denial of the existance of certain NFRTR manuals.
• April 2000 letter from Eric Larson to Congressman Armey reguarding NFRTR and IG's report about it.
• April 2000 appeal of part of ATF's NFRTR manual FOIA denial.
• April 2000 letter from Eric Larson to Congressman Bryant of the Subcommittee on Crime.
• April/May 2000 letter exchange between Eric Larson and IG Rush reguarding follow up audit on NFRTR
• Sections of 1998 IG working papers of their audit of the ATF's NFRTR, as provided in response to Eric Larson's FOIA request, reguarding what consitutes a critical error.
• More sections of 1998 IG working papers of their audit of the ATF's NFRTR, as provided in response to Eric Larson's FOIA request, this one reguarding error rates in the NFRTR.
• IRS Manual Supplement dated April 10, 1969, produced to Eric Larson by BATF first in 1998, then completely unredacted in 2000, in response to a FOIA demand for documents relating to the 1968 amnesty.