PROPOSED CHANGES APPLY TO SECTIONS UNDER 27 CFR PARTS 178 AND 179. SPECIFIC APPLICATIONS INCLUDE IDENTIFICATION PROCEDURES; REPORTING AND RECORDING OF MANUFACTURE, SALE, AND THEFT; REGULATION OF FIREARM IMPORTATION; IMPORTATION OF ARMS, AMMUNITION, AND IMPLEMENTS OF WAR; FIREARMS TRANSPORT; AND ARMS EXPORT. PROPOSALS CONTAIN ADDITIONAL DRAFTING INFORMATION, MISCELLANEOUS AMENDMENTS OF ADDITIONAL ACTS WHICH WOULD FURTHER CONFORM THE REGULATIONS TO THE PROPOSED CHANGES, AUTHORITY FOR PROPOSED CHANGES, AND REQUEST PUBLIC CONSIDERATION OF THE PROPOSED CHANGES. MAJOR PROPOSALS ARE: (1) THAT LICENSED MANUFACTURERS AND IMPORTERS PUT A UNIQUE SERIAL NUMBER ON EACH FIREARM; (2) THAT EACH FEDERAL FIREARM LICENSEE REPORT TO ATF ANY THEFT, LOSS, OR RECOVERY OF A FIREARM; (3) THAT EACH LICENSED MANUFACTURER SUBMIT A QUARTERLY REPORT TO ATF; AND (4) THAT EACH LICENSED MANUFACTURER, IMPORTER, AND DEALER SUBMIT TO ATF A QUARTERLY REPORT OF FIREARM DISPOSITIONS. IT IS SUGGESTED THAT IMPLEMENTATION OF THESE PROPOSALS WOULD SIGNIFICANTLY IMPROVE ATF'S ABILITY TO GATHER INFORMATION NECESSARY TO ENFORCE FEDERAL FIREARMS LAWS AND COULD CURTAIL FIREARMS THEFT AND AID STATE AND LOCAL LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES IN THEIR ENFORCEMENT RESPONSIBILITIES. IN DETERMINING WHETHER TO ADOPT THESE PROPOSED REGULATIONS, THE CONCOMITANT COSTS AND BURDENS WILL BE CONSIDERED BY THE BUREAU. (JAP)