NFA Branch staff do not process NFA weapons applications or enter data into the NFRTR in a consistent manner.
We found that NFA Branch staff do not process applications or enter data uniformly into the NFRTR, which results in errors in NFRTR records, reports, and queries as well as inconsistent decisions on NFA weapons registration and transfer applications. The NFA Branch has not established adequate standard operating procedures for working with the NFRTR and processing NFRTR applications. Further, there is no structured training for NFA Branch staff members when first hired. In addition, NFA Branch managers do not have regular communication with staff members, and the Examiners responsible for reviewing and processing application forms receive conflicting direction from their supervisors.
The NFA Branch lacks a comprehensive standard operating procedures manual.
We found that the NFA Branch’s memorandums and directives on specific processes related to the NFA and the NFRTR do not cover all day-to-day tasks the staff perform. When the NFA Branch Chief started in his position in 2005, he inherited an undated manual of standard operating procedures for processing NFA forms. He told us the manual was under revision but that he has not had enough staff to complete the revision. None of the staff members we interviewed had ever received a copy of this manual, although some of them had been with the NFA Branch for over 15 years. Staff members reported that they had developed their own procedures manual by compiling various documents. For example, an NFA Branch Specialist who conducts records checks stated, “We have over the years made up our own internal [personal] manual.” An Examiner told us, “I had to start my own document with all the policies and procedures because there is no [standard operating procedures] manual.”