background checks

[Mark 40]

I have ALWAYS been sent to an operator when calling in, or go into "pending" for the online check. I have no criminal record. A speeding ticket doing 70 in a 55 back in 1989 doesn't count. My name is somewhat common in my part or Penn's Woods, but all the same named guys I know are all decent fellows.

I think my brother and I got on Gov. Ed Rendell's "frequent flyer" list when we were purchasing a lot of guns BITD. Maybe they though we were gun runners, IDK. But it wasn't like we were buying a dozens Jennings .25ACP pistols at the time. Mostly S&W wheelguns.

QD
My LGS relates how three regular customers always go thru the PA PICS right away. Most others within an hour and some more than that.

A couple of weeks ago I was there when they had a denial. Customer had left because of a long wait and they called him to tell him no dice. Said it was his first gun purchase. Maybe he didn't read the fine print on the form.

 

[Bald1]

Here in NY they use NICS. Did 2 this weekend and it was instant. But the operators talk fast and are hard to understand sometimes.

 

[GypsmJim]

My last 2 purchases were NICS and done online, not by phone. They both went thru in seconds.

 

[Krogen]

It used to be that my CPL meant with handguns I'd walk out after paying and filling out the paperwork. Rifles didn't need the CPL. Private sales required no background check or paperwork.

But those days are over.

Even private sales, with few exceptions, require going through an FFL. And thanks to some shenanigans I don't quite understand, the instant check isn't. It takes about 3 days for the county sheriff to conduct a check. If it goes over 10 business days without approval, you can pick it up anyway. And on top of this, it's a mandatory 10 day wait for a "semi-auto assault weapon." Yeah, you heard that right. I had to wait 10 days for the 10-22 I bought a few months ago - a "semi-auto assault weapon."

It really bugs me to have to jump through these hoops. My CPL means I already went through a background check. And it's not like I'm buying a specific gun to go commit some crime. I already have "a few" others in my safe.

 

[WR Moore]

The only significant delay I recall was when I was buying my former service pistol. Did a lot of browsing and then the clerk called me up to the counter. I should mention the store was named ____________ Police Equipment.

"We heard back, they found that thing in Miami."

Other customers started backing away from me so I replied: "That was a humbug, it was supposed to be wiped off the record."

Apparently noticing how the other customers had reacted, he admitted I'd come back clean, all I had to do was pay for it.

 

[Travis Montana]

Here in Illinois we have a 72 hour wait, so usually you are cleared by the time you can pick firearm up. Still I would say that 9 out of 10 times my LGS's get an ok on my application before I finish filling out the paper work. I had one instance that I waited about 5 days for the approval. That was during covid and could have been a busy week for one reason or another. I know when I talk to my fellow hunting and shooting partners in other states they always give me a hard time, jokingly, about the wait but its just something you get used to.

 

[PALADIN85020]

Here in Arizona, they can use your valid concealed carry permit to bypass the check, as you have already been vetted.

Unfortunately, the Department of Public Safety is months behind in processing renewals of the permits. My permit expired in March; I sent in the renewal papers and money before that happened. It is now June and I have not yet received my new permit. I'm SOL to use my expired permit while buying or traveling.

John

 

[ladder13]

Our CHP is our check. Show CHP and NCDL, fill out a 4473, pay, walk out. Usually about 10 minutes unless the store is busy.

 

[cherrypointmarine]

I've been through the same . My FFL let me in on something and it works . Those of us on the East coast get on line first . As the day progresses the other time zones start putting their requests into the system . Towards the end of our day the whole country is trying to get their requests through to NICS . Now I get there when my FFL opens when I get a transfer and sometimes I'm in and out in 30 minutes and that's with filling out the form and talking to my FFL . I get a Xmas card from him so I have to talk for a little while . So next time , get there as early as you can and report back , it works .

 

[gregintenn]

NICS=tax


I went through a much more exhaustive background check in order to receive a carry permit. If background checks were simply for safety reasons, a flash of that carry permit should be good enough without paying for yet another background check.

 

[LVSteve]

I miss the fun days of buying a gun with a non-resident visa and a hunting license...and the armful of domestic bills to prove residency. Don't think I was ever delayed more than 90 minutes, and that was because I left and ate a leisurely lunch.

Attitude had everything to do with it, I think. I brought all the right papers, and while filling out my 4473 would comment, "yeah, it'll take a while because they have to check with INS. See you in a bit". I even had FFLs congratulate me on being prepared and knowing the law. Mind you, there was the infamous FFL who clearly didn't understand the difference between US resident and Nevada resident because I had a NV DL. Apparently, the DPS check lady in Carson City was also baffled by that one.

 

[Absalom]

I went through a much more exhaustive background check in order to receive a carry permit. If background checks were simply for safety reasons, a flash of that carry permit should be good enough without paying for yet another background check.

Using the carry license to substitute for the Brady NICS check can only work in those states that only do the federally required minimum, checking the buyer.

Quite a few states have their own background check laws which include not just the buyer, but also running the gun though state and NCIC stolen gun databases.

If a gun you are trying to buy has a theft report dangling over it, whether or not you are licensed to carry has no informational value.

 

[ACORN]

Damn, that sucks. The longest I had was 5-1/2 hours. I won't complain any more after hearing that.

I did learn a trick though. If a gun comes in on a Friday, I stop on the way home from work and fill out all the paperwork.

When I stop in Saturday, the PICS check has cleared, so I can just pay my FFL for the transfer and go on my merry way,

I tried that a LGS and a clerk told me I HAD to wait in the store while the insta-check was being run.
Told me that was the law.
I called BS, but did get the gun.
A nice 6” stainless GP100 half lug, for less that it was worth.

 

[wood714]

Last gun I bought was April 2nd. Approved instantly, I had to stick around for the shop workers to fondle my new purchase thou.

 

[raljr1]

Both in PA and here in Florida, my approval is usually complete before i finish filling out the paperwork.

Robert

 

[NYlakesider]

Normally I need only a little time to have the background check done.

I do use my SS number for the NICS check,they have that and much more info so if using makes things faster so be it! Thats for the gun dealer.

Depending on what jurisdiction you live in here in NY state to do the paper work for a handgun it could go from minutes to months.
My county for a handgun it is normally under a week.

 

[panther]

We use the NICS system here. Alot of shops do the electronic 4473 now. One store gives you an Ipad with the form on it to fill out. I always clear right away.
When filling out the personal info, I still put the same weight I was at when I started filling these out. I'm a little heavier now, but don't want some little difference like that to hold up an approval.