ATF Updates on Gun Trace Requests: Important Changes Announced
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Collection Renewal and Changes
The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF), part of the Department of Justice, is making changes to how law enforcement agencies ask for gun traces.
These requests use the National Tracing Center (NTC) Trace Request form, also called ATF Form 3312.1 or 3312.1S. The form helps police and other law enforcement agencies get information about guns used in crimes.
ATF is asking the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) to renew and approve their information collection. People may send comments for the next 60 days, until October 6, 2025.
ATF wants to hear what the public thinks about the collection and if it is useful, the time it takes, and if the form is easy to use.
What ATF is Changing
- The number of law enforcement agencies using the form each year will increase from 1,153 to 17,000.
- The number of trace requests will rise from 24,490 to 510,000.
- The total time agencies spend on this will increase from 2,449 hours to 51,000 hours.
- Total yearly estimated cost to agencies will be $2,443,920.
Who Uses the Form?
State, local, and tribal law enforcement agencies use the form. It is not required by ATF but is needed if an agency wants a gun to be traced.
How the Process Works
Each law enforcement agency will send about 30 trace requests every year. Filling out each request takes about 6 minutes.
ATF does not make a gun registry during this process. Only the agency that requested the information gets the results.
Details for Public Comment
People who want to comment or want a copy of the form can contact Carrie Robertson at the National Tracing Center Division by mail, email, or phone.
The public should tell ATF if the collection is necessary, if the time needed is correct, if the process can be improved, or if there are better ways to collect the information.
Contact for More Information
If you need more information, contact Darwin Arceo, Department Clearance Officer at the U.S. Department of Justice.
Summary Table
| Activity | Number of Respondents | Frequency | Total Annual Responses | Time per Response | Total Burden (hours) | Hourly Rate | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| LEA trace requests | 17,000 | 30 | 510,000 | 6 minutes | 51,000 | $47.92 | $2,443,920 |
This notice was dated July 31, 2025.
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