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###### Department of Justice

###### Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives

          - [Docket No. ATF 2014R-50N]

# AGENCY:

Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), Department of Justice.

# ACTION:

Notice of granting of restoration of Federal firearms privileges.

# SUMMARY:

Northrop Grumman Systems Corporation (NGSC), a wholly owned subsidiary of Northrop Grumman Corporation (NGC), has been granted relief from the disabilities imposed by Federal laws by the Director of ATF with respect to the acquisition, receipt, transfer, shipment, transportation, or possession of firearms.

# FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Shermaine Kenner, Enforcement Programs and Services; Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives; U.S. Department of Justice; 99 New York Avenue NE., Washington, DC 20226; telephone (202) 648-7070.

# SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

The Attorney General is responsible for enforcing the provisions of the Gun Control Act of 1968 (GCA), 18 U.S.C. Chapter 44. He has delegated that responsibility to the Director of ATF, subject to the direction of the Attorney General and the Deputy Attorney General. 28 CFR 0.130(a). ATF has promulgated regulations that implement the provisions of the GCA in 27 CFR part 478.

Section 922(g) of the GCA prohibits certain persons from shipping or transporting any firearm in interstate or foreign commerce, or receiving any firearm which has been shipped or transported in interstate or foreign commerce, or possessing any firearm in or affecting commerce. These prohibitions apply to any person who—

(1) Has been convicted in any court of a crime punishable by imprisonment for a term exceeding one year;

(2) Is a fugitive from justice;

(3) Is an unlawful user of or addicted to any controlled substance;

(4) Has been adjudicated as a mental defective or committed to a mental institution;

(5) Is an alien illegally or unlawfully in the United States or, with certain exceptions, aliens admitted to the United States under a nonimmigrant visa;

(6) Has been discharged from the Armed Forces under dishonorable conditions;

(7) Having been a citizen of the United States, has renounced U.S. citizenship;

(8) Is subject to a court order that restrains the person from harassing, stalking, or threatening an intimate partner or child of such intimate partner; or

(9) Has been convicted in any court of a misdemeanor crime of domestic violence.

The term “person” is defined in section 921(a)(1) as including “any individual, corporation, company, association, firm, partnership, society, or joint stock company.” Section 925(c) of the GCA provides that a person who is prohibited from possessing, shipping, transporting, or receiving firearms or ammunition may make application to the Attorney General to remove the firearms disabilities imposed under section 922(g) “if it is established to his satisfaction that the circumstances regarding the disability, and the applicant's record and reputation, are such that the applicant will not be likely to act in a manner dangerous to public safety and that the granting of the relief would not be contrary to the public interest.” The Attorney General has delegated the authority to grant relief from firearms disabilities to the Director of ATF.

                    Section 925(c) further provides that “[w]henever the Attorney General grants relief to any person pursuant to this section he shall promptly publish in the                     **Federal Register**                     notice of such action, together with the reasons therefor.” Regulations implementing the provisions of section 925(c) are set forth in 27 CFR 478.144.                

Since 1992, Congress has eliminated funding for ATF to investigate or act upon applications for relief from federal firearms disabilities submitted by individuals. However, since 1993, Congress has authorized funding for ATF to investigate and act upon applications filed by corporations for relief from Federal firearms disabilities.

                    An application to ATF for relief from Federal firearms disabilities under 18 U.S.C. 925(c) was submitted for NGSC. In the matter under review, between 1993 and 2002, NGSC, a wholly owned subsidiary of NGC, merged with and succeeded the assets and business operations of three non-surviving entities that had been convicted in Federal court of crimes punishable by imprisonment for a term exceeding one year. Specifically, TRW Electronic Products, Inc. was convicted on September 25, 1987, in the United States District Court for the District of Colorado, Case No. 87 CR-250, for violations of 18 U.S.C. 2 and 1001. TRW, Inc. was convicted on August 25, 1988, in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Ohio for a violation of 18 U.S.C. 371. Litton Applied Technology Division was convicted on June 30, 1999, in the United States District Court for the                           ( print page 73907)                        Central District of California, Case No. CR 99-673, for a violation of 18 U.S.C. 371.                

By letter dated June 6, 2012, ATF granted relief to Northrop Grumman Guidance and Electronics Company, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of NGC, resulting from its own prohibiting convictions, but took no action on relief to the non-surviving entities because they no longer exist. See 77 FR 58150. Nonetheless, because NGSC merged with and succeeded the assets and operations of the non-surviving entities, ATF subsequently determined that NGSC, as their successor, is eligible for relief.

Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. 925(c), on September 23, 2014, NGSC, a wholly owned subsidiary of NGC, as successor to TRW Electronic Products, Inc., TRW, Inc., and Litton Applied Technology Division, was granted relief by ATF from the disabilities imposed by Federal law, 18 U.S.C. 922(g)(1), with respect to the acquisition, receipt, transfer, shipment, transportation, or possession of firearms and ammunition as a result of these convictions of the non-surviving entities. It has been established to ATF's satisfaction that the circumstances regarding NGSC's disabilities and its record and reputation are such that the NGSC will not be likely to act in a manner dangerous to public safety, and that the granting of the relief would not be contrary to the public interest.

B. Todd Jones,

Director.

[FR Doc. 2014-29236 Filed 12-11-14; 8:45 am]

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