Confusion about background checks...

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BigBlock

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This is something that just popped into my head - never thought about it before. I have a very common name. Like Bob Smith only different. If I look in a phone directory I can find thousands of people with my name, often, even with my middle name. I've even had problems at my pharmacy getting the right prescriptions because somebody else goes there with my name.

Anyway, when I fill out the federal form for buying a new gun, the only real info I give is my name, not my social security number. (the form always says that's optional) When the guy goes and does a background check on me, how the heck do they know it's really ME? I mean, I'm sure somebody, somewhere, sometime, named "Bob Smith" commited a crime, right? But I've never had a problem, my record is squeeky clean...but there must be other "me's" out there that aren't.

Am I making sense to anyone? I may have had a few beers tonight...;)
 
I have a somewhat uncommon name and when I went to get my pistol purchase permit, they spelled my middle name wrong and it came back that I was a felon. It was straightened out a second later when they realized their mistake, but dang, that scared the crap out of me!
 
When you show them your picture ID, they'll write down whatever identifying number is on it (DL #, SSN, etc.). Most of the time you won't even notice they did it because you're concentrating on filling out the paperwork.
 
When you show them your picture ID, they'll write down whatever identifying number is on it (DL #, SSN, etc.).
Click to expand...

The ID info is not transmitted to NICS. THe only thing on the second page given to NICS is the "Long Gun-Handgun" check boxes.
To avoid any issues with a common name (John Smith, etc) either use your SSN or get the "special ID" number from the FBI, which involves a few papers and fingerprints. This number when issued points directly to your history and clears you, rather than searching through the database for your name, etc, so it'll give you a proceed rather than a delayed.
 
I don't like giving out any personal info that is not mandatory, but I do list my social security number on all my firearms purchases. I figure if "they" really want to come get them, they have enough info already w/o my SSN. I may be a sheep but I kinda see listing the SSN as a way of avoiding delays for me. Hopefully it doesn't come back to bite me!
 
They already have your SSN. The purpose is to save them some time and avoid any confusion if there are several names that match, especially in the same immediate area. If the SSN comes back with the same name and address, and no black marks show up, the NICS will pass in a matter of seconds, not days. Big brother knows a lot more already than you could ever believe....
 
I have an uncommon name but the couple of times I have not put my SSN on the form I have been delayed. Never had a problem when I did put my SSN on the form.
 
I really must be one of the lucky few. I know for a fact that I am THE only person in the state of Illinois with my first and last name. So no problem for me on NICS checks.
 
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