New regs for Monday: Guns, birds, shock

Monday’s edition of the Federal Register contains new rules for firearms hearings to determine whether someone is eligible to own a gun, protections for birds, and a ban on some electrical stimulation devices.

Here’s what is happening:

Guns: The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF) is moving forward with new rules for firearms license proceedings.

{mosads}Gun owners may request a hearing if their firearms license has been denied, suspended or revoked.

“This rule clarifies that persons requesting a hearing will be afforded the opportunity to submit facts and arguments for review and consideration during the hearing, and may make offers of settlement before or after the hearing,” the agency said.

The changes go into effect in 60 days.

Shock: The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is delaying a move to ban some electrical stimulation devices.

The FDA proposed in April to prohibit the use of certain devices that use small electrical shocks to help people stop behaviors like excessive scratching and head-banging. But the agency is now extending the comment period to give people more time to comment.

The public has until July 25 to comment.

Birds: The Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) is considering new protections for a bird known as the Eskimo curlew.

The FWS announced Friday it will initiate a five-year status review to determine whether the Eskimo curlew is endangered or threatened.

The public has 60 days to comment.