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All employees have been instructed that this information is not to be released outside the agencies, or their networks. The employees assisting in this data entry will not be accessing confidential information related to any of the 16 inquiries conducted by MSP during a background investigation for a firearms purchase application -- their role is to simply enter the applicants data electronically to expedite the MSP investigative process. This procedure was reviewed and approved as appropriate by an assistant attorney general assigned to the MSP. This process is being actively overseen through auditors at each agency and at the State Police Licensing Division to ensure accuracy and quality control of the information.
MSP scanned more than 35,000 backlogged firearms purchase applications and delivered the encrypted data to each of the assisting agencies. MSP personnel met with liaisons at each agency and trained them on the proper procedures needed for this data entry process. The work began yesterday and will continue through Monday. Employees from the various agencies will be working in their own offices. MSP has been working since last fall to address the unprecedented surge in regulated firearms purchase applications. In December 2012, Licensing Division personnel began working 21-hours a day, seven days a week. A resource pool of almost 60 sworn and civilian personnel who are able to conduct background investigations were identified and were called upon to supplement Licensing Division staff. From August 2012 to August 2013, State Police personnel have worked more than 24,000 hours of overtime addressing the firearm purchase application backlog. In the past year, 21 troopers have been reassigned from other duties and 17 civilian employees have been added to the Licensing Division for a total of 73 employees as of August 1st. Additional employees continue to be hired. Thirty-seven computers have been added to provide workstations for the additional personnel. As of September 6, 2013, the Maryland State Police Licensing Division has received 88,884 firearms purchase applications and 48,934 of those applications have been processed. The applications processed so far this year number more than the number of applications received in each of the years 2010 and 2011. The weekly average of applications received in 2010 was 744. In 2013, the weekly average of applications received is 2,432. This weekends extra effort is an attempt to speed the background check process by converting the purchase application into an electronic form and eliminating that step for State Police investigators. New options and ideas will continue to be explored and employed in an effort to overcome this challenge, while keeping the safety of Maryland citizens as our top priority.
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