Source: https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2010/08/10/2010-19740/hearing-procedures-relating-to-federal-firearms-licenses-2010r-2t
Timestamp: 2018-08-14 09:50:22
Document Index: 649827229

Matched Legal Cases: ['art 478', '§\u2009478', '§\u2009478', '§\u2009478', 'art 478', '§\u2009478', '§\u2009478', '§\u2009478']

Federal Register :: Hearing Procedures Relating to Federal Firearms Licenses (2010R-2T)
A Notice by the Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives Bureau on 08/10/2010
48362-48365 (4 pages)
https://www.federalregister.gov/d/2010-19740 https://www.federalregister.gov/d/2010-19740
The regulations in Subpart E of Part 478, §§ 478.71-478.78, relate to proceedings involving federal firearms licenses, including the denial, revocation, or suspension of a license, or the imposition of a civil fine. In particular, § 478.71 provides that the Director of ATF may issue a notice of denial on ATF Form 4498 (Notice of Denial of Application for License) to an applicant for a license if he has reason to believe that the applicant is not qualified, under the provisions of § 478.47, to receive a license. The notice sets forth the matters of fact and law relied upon in determining that the application should be denied, and affords the applicant 15 days from the date of receipt of the notice in which to request a hearing to review the denial. If a request for a hearing is not filed within such time, the application is disapproved and a copy, so marked, is returned to the applicant.
Section 478.73 provides that whenever the Director has reason to believe that a firearms licensee has willfully violated any provision of the Act or part 478, a notice of revocation of the license (ATF Form 4500) may be issued. In addition, a notice of revocation, suspension, or imposition of a civil fine may be issued on Form 4500 whenever the Director has reason to believe that a licensee has knowingly transferred a firearm to an unlicensed person and knowingly failed to comply with the requirements of 18 U.S.C. 922(t)(1), relating to a NICS (National Instant Criminal Background Check System) background check or, in violation of 18 U.S.C. 922(z) and 924 (p), has sold, delivered, or transferred any handgun to any unlicensed person without providing a secure gun storage or safety device. Start Printed Page 48363
As specified in § 478.74, a licensee who receives a notice of license suspension or revocation, or imposition of a civil fine, may file a request for a hearing with the DIO. On conclusion of the hearing and after consideration of all the relevant information presented at the hearing, the Director renders a decision and prepares a brief summary of the findings and conclusions on which the decision was based. If the decision is that the license should be revoked or, in actions under 18 U.S.C. 922(t)(5) or 924(p), that the license should be revoked or suspended, and/or that a civil fine should be imposed, a certified copy of the summary is furnished to the licensee with the final notice of revocation, suspension, or imposition of a civil fine on ATF Form 4501. If the decision is that the license should not be revoked, or in actions under 18 U.S.C. 922(t)(5) or 924(p), that the license should not be revoked or suspended, and a civil fine should not be imposed, the licensee will be notified in writing.
Under § 478.76, a firearms licensee or an applicant for a firearms license may be represented at a hearing by an attorney, certified public accountant, or other person recognized to practice before ATF, provided certain requirements are met. The Director may be represented in hearing proceedings by an attorney in the Office of Chief Counsel. Pursuant to § 478.77, hearings concerning notification of license denials, suspensions, revocations, or the imposition of a civil fine are held in a location convenient to the aggrieved party.
An individual should decline to act as a hearing officer in a particular case if he/she is not fully confident that he/she can administer a fair and impartial proceeding. If, at any time after being Start Printed Page 48364designated as hearing officer for a case, the officer determines that he/she cannot administer a fair and impartial proceeding, the hearing officer should immediately recuse himself or herself from the matter and notify the Chief, FES Division.
Both parties shall have the right to question all witnesses. The party calling Start Printed Page 48365a witness shall have the right to re-direct examination of the witness. The hearing officer may permit further questioning beyond re-direct examination for good cause. The hearing officer may question the parties and the parties' witnesses at any time during the hearing.