From The Hobo Brasser, this email from the Washington County (Oregon) Sheriff "Concealed Handgun License Unit" (CHL).

This appears to be a public notice that there are local interests determined to force the County Sheriff to reveal a list of CHL owners for public consumption.

It also appears to be a plaintive cry from a responsible holder that he is being forced to do something which he is loath to accommodate.

I don't have a contact email address where you can write to offer your support to his resistance. But if you think, as I do, that this is is an egregious imposition on a conscientious public service, I encourage you to do your own research.

If you find a contact address, I hope you will share it.

Here is the link to the Washington County (Oregon) Sheriff's Concealed Handgun License Unit.
__________________________________________

Official Letterhead Notice to All Concealed Handgun License Holders

November 14, 2008

Dear Concealed Handgun License Holder,

There is currently a statewide issue regarding the disclosure of the names, addresses and other identifying information of people who have concealed handgun licenses that affects you. Essentially, the media and other groups are asking for lists of information about all the people who hold concealed handgun licenses.

As your sheriff, I refused to disclose that information because I believe many people obtain a concealed handgun license for personal security and would not want that information made public. I also resist disclosing personal information because of the continuing identity theft risks.

Despite my belief (shared by sheriffs across Oregon), an Oregon court recently decided that there is no evidence that people obtain concealed handgun licenses for security measures. The court ordered the Jackson County Sheriff to disclose a list of all the concealed handgun license holders in his county to the local newspaper. The case is now before the Oregon Court of Appeals.

While I believe you obtained your concealed handgun license as a security measure and that you do not want that information disclosed with your name, address and other personal information, I need to hear from you on this issue to help me defend your privacy in this matter.

Please answer the two questions at the bottom of this letter as soon as possible. If you want your name and other information to remain confidential, simply answer YES to both questions. Thank you for your cooperation.

Sincerely,
[signature gif omitted]
Rob Gordon
Washington County Sheriff

New FFL Form 4473 must-use date

Recently posted by Jim Shepherd of "The Shooting Wire":

Open Letter To All Federal Firearms Licensees

Recently, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) released the revised version of the Firearms Transaction Record (ATF Form 4473) with a revision date of August 2008. By open letter dated October 3, 2008, ATF advised that all FFLs must begin to use the new Form 4473 no later than November 15, 2008. ATF realizes that this date is during hunting season and that this is a very busy time of year for the firearms industry. As Federal firearms licensees (FFLs), you play a significant role in the transfer of firearms to consumers. ATF recognizes the shared obligation to ensure that persons ineligible under the law do not acquire firearms. Therefore, in an effort to prevent undue burden on you the FFL, and to allow for proper training of employees, ATF will extend the mandatory must-use date of the new Form 4473 to January 15, 2009.

This extension will allow you to review the entire revised Form 4473, including the definitions, instructions, and the Important Notices to the Transferor/Seller. This will ensure timely implementation of the Form 4473 and a better understanding of the significant changes.

The mandatory must-use date for all FFLs for ATF Form 4473 has been changed from November 15, 2008, to January 15, 2009. All FFLs may begin to use the revised Form 4473 upon receipt but by no later than January 15, 2009. You may no longer use the previous edition of the Form 4473 after January 15, 2009 or as soon as you begin using the revised edition.

[Ed: Emphasis added]

Please contact your local ATF office with any questions you may have about the revised Form 4473. If you need additional forms, please contact the ATF Distribution Center at (703) 445-7801 or, to order online, go to http://www.atf.gov/dcof/index.htm.

Carson W. Carroll
Assistant Director
Enforcement Program and Services

Shepherd and The Shooting Wire have always been reliable sources of important and timely news in the Shooting community. If you have not already done so, I urge you to subscribe to the three-times-a-week newsletter.