OMB Approve ATF Safe Explosives Act Rule

Yesterday the OMB’s Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs (OIRA) announced that it had approved the DOJ’s Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) final rule implementing the requirements of the Safe Explosives Act (PL 107-296,Title XI, Subtitle C). The current interim final rule has been in effect since September 11, 2003.

I expect that this final rule will be published next week.

HR 2836 Introduced – Explosives

As I noted last week, Rep. King (R,NY) introduced HR 2836, the Explosive Materials Background Check Act. This bill is actually a companion bill to S 792 that was introduced by the late Sen. Lautenberg (D,NJ) back in April. I described that bill this way:

“The bill would amend Chapter 14 of 18 USC, modifying some definitions and adding some new unlawful acts in the selling of explosives. It would also provide two new reasons for denying or revoking federal explosives licenses and permits.”

That bill has not gotten anywhere in the Senate and this bill is unlikely to go anywhere in the House. It is a technical correction to a relatively obscure law and is unlikely to bring the attention necessary to get it through the legislative process.