NICS PUT ON HOLD

[Ranger+P+]

I have a question for anybody in the know about NICS checks.

I went to buy a gun from my FFL guy, who I have literally bought hundreds of guns from over the years (the last one was 3 weeks ago). I go in today to pick one up and my NICS get's put on hold!!---this is the first time it has ever happened to me. Since I bought my last gun 3 weeks ago, I have committed no felonies or beat up my wife...what gives? A friend of mine in LE who was present said it happens to him every once in a while and he is a cop!

The owner, a good friend of mine, sais it should be cleared up in a day or so---my question is: How long should I have to wait before I can pick up my gun? Has this happened to any of you good folks? Let me know---I am not worried--just confused!!

[RPBrown]

More reason to have a CHL. No NICS check.

3 days and if nothing has come back you can get it.

It does happen, all to often

[Mike1951]

Just out of curiosity, did you provide your SSN.

While not required, it often eliminates questions of identity.

http://www.fbi.gov/hq/cjisd/nics/nicsfact.htm#top

Relevant part:

The NICS Section
Located at the FBI's Criminal Justice Information Services (CJIS) Division in Clarksburg, West Virginia, the NICS Section processes background checks for the FFLs in those states that have declined to serve as POCs for the NICS. The FFLs conducting business in these states will contact the NICS either by telephone, via one of two contracted call centers, or electronically by the NICS E-Check System via the Internet. When contacting the NICS by telephone, the FFL will provide the prospective After contacting the NICS, via two contracted call centers, either by telephone or electronically by the NICS E-Check System via the Internet, FFLs will provide the descriptive information provided on the ATF Form 4473, which is required by law to be completed and signed by every prospective firearm transferee. The prospective firearm transferee's descriptive information is required descriptive , the FFL will receive a response that the transfer may proceed or is delayed. This response is typically provided within 30 seconds.

If no matching records are returned by any of the databases, the transaction is automatically proceeded. If the NICS returns a match of the prospective firearm transferee's descriptive information to that of record information located in any of the databases, the FFL is advised that the transaction is delayed. While the FFL is still on the telephone, the call is placed on hold and transferred to the NICS Section in Clarksburg, West Virginia, for a quick review and evaluation by an FBI NICS Legal Instruments Examiner (NICS Examiner). If the record information returned by the NICS presents a valid match to the descriptive information of the prospective firearm transferee, the NICS Examiners, who have access to protected information (as opposed to Call Center personnel who do not have such access) reviews the information if state and federal firearm prohibitive criteria exists. If the information matched by the NICS is not a valid match or no prohibitive criteria exists, the FBI NICS Examiner will advise the FFL to PROCEED with the firearm transaction. The FFL must record the NICS Transaction Number (NTN) on the ATF Form 4473 and retain the form for auditing purposes.

If it is determined that prohibitive criteria exists, the FBI NICS Examiner will advise the FFL to DENY the firearm transaction. If potentially prohibitive criteria exists and more information is required in order to make the determination, the NICS Examiner will advise the FFL to DELAY the firearm transaction and the call is concluded. The FFL must record the NTN on the ATF Form 4473 and retain the form for auditing purposes.

When a transaction is DELAYED, the FBI NICS Examiner begins extensive research on the potential prohibitor. When the research is complete, the FBI NICS Examiner calls the FFL and gives a PROCEED or DENY decision on the firearm transaction.

On the third business day of a DELAYED transaction, the NICS Examiner is required to call the FFL and advise him/her of their rights under the Brady Act to transfer the firearm after the third business day. If the delayed transaction cannot be resolved within the allowed three business days, it is at the discretion of the FFL whether to allow the firearm transfer. However, the NICS Section continues to research the case in an effort to obtain complete disposition information. Business days do not include the day the check was initiated Saturdays, Sundays, and any day state offices in the state of purchase are closed.

[rm9792]

Even better, I tried to buy a surplus pistol at a gun show and got a delay. Then walked over to another vendor, picked out and bought a 1911 with no delay. Went back to the first table, he called in and got another delay! I really think it all depends on who answers the phone. Also, I always provide my SSN and it doesnt matter, delays were random but the CHL ended all that mess.

[DoubleJ]

I have a question for anybody in the know about NICS checks.

I went to buy a gun from my FFL guy, who I have literally bought hundreds of guns from over the years (the last one was 3 weeks ago). I go in today to pick one up and my NICS get's put on hold!!!!

you don't have a CHL? how long you been coming here??
sounds like you have a new priority!

[rm9792]

Read the last sentence ther DoubleJ.

[DoubleJ]

Has this happened to any of you good folks? Let me know---I am not worried--just confused!!

? don't know what that has to do with our good friend not having a CHL and avoiding all this rigga-maroo!

[WarHawk-AVG]

My dad truly believes as the NICS stuff goes thru the system they randomly grab a request off the stack to do further investigation..he got held up at Carters Country when he tried to buy a shotgun

All was cleared but it seems like one of those "random searches" like at the airport