FBI Reports

[Calaveras Slim]

That they processed 3 NICS checks per second on Black Friday. This after they complained a few days earlier that they were unable to process all the requests due to incomplete records.

Wonder what they're up to?

 

[LVSteve]

Actually receiving and STARTING the checks is one thing. That's where the three every second comes from.

What the articles on the subject spun up (oh gosh, the media is anti-gun?) was the fact that a proportion of all checks come back with no immediate result and by law the FBI can only delay by 72 hours. That is the press/FBI definition of "unable to check". Reasons for this are legion, such as some states are flaky on submitting up to date records, their IT may be down when the NICS check is attempted, etc, etc.

Now, for a "no result" check, after 72 hours it is up to the dealer if they wish to proceed with the sale. The FBI say they do not know if the sale proceeds, so they take their "worst case" which is they all do, and they define them as "gun sales with no check". That's where the numbers come from. It's all BS and spin, IMHO.

 

[just jim]

It's a reason to raise the fee. I just wish they would stop calling it "instant check", it never has been and never will be.

 

[kozmic]

This was in "The Truth About Guns" about Black Friday NICS numbers

FBI Fails to Process Thousands of Background Checks. And? - The Truth About Guns

 

[handejector]

It's a reason to raise the fee. I just wish they would stop calling it "instant check", it never has been and never will be.

The FBI does not charge a fee.
Some states do I have been told.
Some dealers charge a fee.

They can be pretty darn fast.
On almost every one I have ever run, it takes longer to give them my info and the buyer's info than it does for them to run the check.
It takes a minute or two to give them that data, and by the time I'm finished feeding it to them, they have almost always said "The transfer is approved. Confirmation number is XXXYYY-ZZZZ."

 

[Mydogmax]

Don't know how you're getting this done so fast. Every time (4 in the last 12 months) that my FFL calls me in they say delayed. Have to wait the three days then pick up my gun. I don't have a common name nor have I ever been charged with a crime. Heck, I haven't even had a speeding ticket in the last ten years.

 

[pawngal]

In 2000+ gun transfers since the NICS went into effect I have exactly 1 that was not completed within the 3 days allowed on delays. 97-98% are immediately approved for me. Most delays have been OK'd or denied within 24 hours. It has been my understanding that more of the delays are to the big boys who might be calling in 50 or more at one time.

 

[pawngal]

Don't know how you're getting this done so fast. Every time (4 in the last 12 months) that my FFL calls me in they say delayed. Have to wait the three days then pick up my gun. I don't have a common name nor have I ever been charged with a crime. Heck, I haven't even had a speeding ticket in the last ten years.

Strangely, another common denominator for delays I have found is active duty and former military.

 

[Rule3]

Don't know how you're getting this done so fast. Every time (4 in the last 12 months) that my FFL calls me in they say delayed. Have to wait the three days then pick up my gun. I don't have a common name nor have I ever been charged with a crime. Heck, I haven't even had a speeding ticket in the last ten years.

You may want to applu for a UPIN number ( as it says a pin number) There is something that messes up you background check probably no fault of yours.

Go here and scroll down on the procedure to apply for one.

Once you have you "secret" number you should be clear each time. No guarantee as it is the Government.

FBI ? NICS Appeal Frequently Asked Questions

 

[gdnagle]

They can be pretty darn fast.
On almost every one I have ever run, it takes longer to give them my info and the buyer's info than it does for them to run the check.
It takes a minute or two to give them that data, and by the time I'm finished feeding it to them, they have almost always said "The transfer is approved. Confirmation number is XXXYYY-ZZZZ."

Same with me. If I go any dealer including Wally World it takes longer for the paper work then the call to get approval. Have never been held up but also have never bought anything on BF. I just walk in and walk out with firearm after the 5 minuets it takes for paper work and check.

 

[LVSteve]

I never had to wait more than an hour or so even when I was doing the non-immigrant alien thing. FFLs who had never done that before got big eyes and one flat out refused to do it, but the NICS system seemed to work reasonably quickly. Remember, they had to go elsewhere to check my immigration status.

 

[gregintenn]

When I buy something from my local dealer, I fill out a form, he enters information into his computer, I hand him money, he gives me change, and sometime during this routine the check takes place and is approved.

Every time.

 

[DeathGrip]

Meet me at the kitchen door in the alley by the Chinese restaurant. Leave the pets at home.

 

[LostintheOzone]

Well, I don't know how everyone is being processed at lightning speed because it sure doesn't happen with me. Out of the last 5 purchases I've made only one cleared instantly. Four were delayed and two of those never were cleared. I have never been denied because I have no record, I'm a vet, honorably discharged, had the same residence for 19 years and the same employer for 30. I always tell the FFL that there's an 80% chance I'll be delayed and I'm always right. It's like the sun will come up tomorrow, I'm pretty sure of it.

 

[LostintheOzone]

You may want to applu for a UPIN number ( as it says a pin number) There is something that messes up you background check probably no fault of yours.

Go here and scroll down on the procedure to apply for one.

Once you have you "secret" number you should be clear each time. No guarantee as it is the Government.

FBI ? NICS Appeal Frequently Asked Questions

And your info stays in the database. All of it, forever.

 

[deadin]

The new "tentative" law in WA state will give them 10 days instead of 3 for the check to process.......

 

[just jim]

The FBI does not charge a fee.
Some states do I have been told.
Some dealers charge a fee.

They can be pretty darn fast.
On almost every one I have ever run, it takes longer to give them my info and the buyer's info than it does for them to run the check.
It takes a minute or two to give them that data, and by the time I'm finished feeding it to them, they have almost always said "The transfer is approved. Confirmation number is XXXYYY-ZZZZ."

Well I just go by what I am seeing in Oregon. Last show my friend called into instant check and it took 32 minutes on the phone and that is after all the paper work. It was a very slow show and not many guns being sold. There is nothing instant about the system here.

Back when guns were selling fast it took an hour and thirty minutes to make a sale.

Even the dealers who use the computer and not the phone were waiting up to 72 in line ahead of them. Instant ? Not hardly.

Edited to add, there was a time when people with concealed carry permits could buy without a background check. For some reason they did away with that. I suspect it's all about money but don't know for sure. I guess I really shouldn't complain, last check that went through the BATFE took a year and cost $200 plus.

 

[LVSteve]

The time it takes is often set more by who actually does it. In NV the NICS check is made via NHP. That way, the STATE can deny you on the basis of unpaid tickets and the like.

If you state does not have many folk to process the requests, it is irrelevant what happens at the FBI.

 

[handejector]

Well I just go by what I am seeing in Oregon.

Who does the check in Oregon? The state or the FBI?

There are many reasons for a delay that do NOT pertain to the buyer.
Like, if your name is Smith or Jones, expect a delay. That's because there is a good chance that someone with a similar name to yours has a record!

 

[redlevel]

Edited to add, there was a time when people with concealed carry permits could buy without a background check. For some reason they did away with that. I suspect it's all about money

Still the case in GA. I suspect your state might be the culprit. Could be the money, could be anti-gun impediment.

We had all our checks back in just a few minutes at the shop where I work on Black Friday.

 

[just jim]

Who does the check in Oregon? The state or the FBI?

There are many reasons for a delay that do NOT pertain to the buyer.
Like, if your name is Smith or Jones, expect a delay. That's because there is a good chance that someone with a similar name to yours has a record!

I believe we are the first to have instant check forced on the gunshows. It has really hurt the shows, people don't like to wait an hour to buy a gun. Heck you can wait the hour then have it delayed.

It's the state system but I would think they run a person's name through the FBI. At this time the state charges $10 that must come from credit card. Process goes like this, you make a deal with the buyer and add the fee to the price of a gun. You fill out the blue sheet paper work and get both sides of the sale on the paper work.

Then you dial the 800 number and wait for someone to talk to, my personal longest was was 45 minutes. After you reach someone you tell them who you are and where you are selling the gun. They ask you for a valid credit card and get all the information before they proceed.

Then they get all of your info and the buyer's info. Sometimes they want to talk to the buyer for more info. Once they have all the info they want it takes about 5 minutes for them to come back and deny or give an approval number.

For the private seller you lose business all the time wasted on the phone plus you need help watching the table. No telling how many sales you miss due to all the waiting. Like I said it has really hurts the shows.

 

[LVSteve]

Edited to add, there was a time when people with concealed carry permits could buy without a background check. For some reason they did away with that. I suspect it's all about money but don't know for sure. I guess I really shouldn't complain, last check that went through the BATFE took a year and cost $200 plus.

We lost that privilege in NV for a while because BATFE did not like the way some rural sheriffs renewed CCWs. In some counties I believe the ability to fog a spoon was the only requirement. The state legislature had to pass new laws before BATFE gave us a pass. Even then you could not escape the NICS check until your CCW date came AFTER the new laws.

Perhaps your state has fallen foul of BATFE the same way.

 

[just jim]

We lost that privilege in NV for a while because BATFE did not like the way some rural sheriffs renewed CCWs. In some counties I believe the ability to fog a spoon was the only requirement. The state legislature had to pass new laws before BATFE gave us a pass. Even then you could not escape the NICS check until your CCW date came AFTER the new laws.

Perhaps your state has fallen foul of BATFE the same way.

How much is the background check in Nevada?

 

[dereksfl]

Mydogmax: I don't want you to feel left out. I can give you a ticket.. forward or reverse either will work for me. Happy Holiday!

 

[Absalom]

I believe we are the first to have instant check forced on the gunshows. It has really hurt the shows, people don't like to wait an hour to buy a gun. Heck you can wait the hour then have it delayed.

It's the state system but I would think they run a person's name through the FBI. .

Doing a private-to-private at a gun show through the phone is indeed a pain in Oregon. Any FFL dealer who's half-way computer-literate, on the other hand, can do it through the state's website in seconds. And Oregon does both the FBI background on the buyer and runs the gun through NCIC, useful if you buy mostly old guns. My FFL guy, who handles my GB transactions, punches the data into the mask while I fill out the form (he knows my info by heart now) and usually has the approval code before I reach the signature line on page 2. Over the past year, I've had about 20 instant approvals, one gun reported stolen, and once I made the mistake of going to pick up a gun early Saturday afternoon, when all the gun shows were going; that was a 20 min. wait. The system actually tells the dealer how many people are in line before you and how fast the line is moving. Most gun show dealers here do it on their laptops now.

 

[just jim]

Doing a private-to-private at a gun show through the phone is indeed a pain in Oregon. Any FFL dealer who's half-way computer-literate, on the other hand, can do it through the state's website in seconds. And Oregon does both the FBI background on the buyer and runs the gun through NCIC, useful if you buy mostly old guns. My FFL guy, who handles my GB transactions, punches the data into the mask while I fill out the form (he knows my info by heart now) and usually has the approval code before I reach the signature line on page 2. Over the past year, I've had about 20 instant approvals, one gun reported stolen, and once I made the mistake of going to pick up a gun early Saturday afternoon, when all the gun shows were going; that was a 20 min. wait. The system actually tells the dealer how many people are in line before you and how fast the line is moving. Most gun show dealers here do it on their laptops now.

I am painfully aware of the system Ordered a M1 Garand and it took six months to get to my dealer. He knows how to send in background check by the computer so that is what he tried first. Readout said 76 ahead of him. So smart fellow he was he called the 800 and got into that system only having 14 ahead of him. Took an hour to buy the gun. However after waiting 6 months for delivery an hour seemed like nothing.

 

[LVSteve]

How much is the background check in Nevada?

$25 at the last count.

 

[LostintheOzone]

The time it takes is often set more by who actually does it. In NV the NICS check is made via NHP. That way, the STATE can deny you on the basis of unpaid tickets and the like.

If you state does not have many folk to process the requests, it is irrelevant what happens at the FBI.

That's a good way to handle it. We all pay our traffic tickets...right? Restricted person takes on a whole new meaning when the state decides if you are being a good citizen. FBI only knows what the state tells them anyway.

 

[LoboGunLeather]

Since the NICS checks all involve government bureaucracies I suspect that news releases like this are probably a pursuit of budget increases.

As others have pointed out, the FBI does not charge a fee, but most state agencies involved do charge fees. Either way, this is a means for justifying more personnel, more infrastructure, more operating funds. So an increase for the FBI results in more burden on the taxpayers, while increases for state agencies will probably result in more burden on individuals via increased fees.

Either way we pay. A possible end-game strategy might be reached when government bean counters start playing with the numbers and elected officials start making an issue about the costs imposed; a strategy that might cut several ways: (1) anti-gunners might argue the cost to taxpayers imposed by a minority of citizens purchasing firearms, (2) pro-liberty types might argue that the cost is greater than the benefits (given the fact that these checks result in no measurable impact on violent crime), (3) then the anti-gunners might seize the opportunity to argue for more restrictions because what we have in place isn't doing the job as promised, ad infinitum, ad nauseum. Just as we have experienced for years and years.

We have had prohibitions on convicted felons possessing (or attempting to acquire) firearms for decades, yet convicted felons continue being arrested for violations. We have had prohibitions on criminal homicide, assault, rape, and hundreds of other acts for thousands of years, yet people continue engaging in such acts. Passage of laws has never caused any human behavior to cease.

Politicians continue building careers and bureaucrats continue building empires. Human behavior remains the only constant.

 

[just jim]

$25 at the last count.

Ya they keep trying to raise our fee but they find it hard to do with the instant checks going so slow it hurts commerce. It's coming though.