A silly question about an"extra check"

[41mag]

Tonight I picked up a new shotgun from Gander Mountain.(a chain similar to Bass Pro or Cabelas).I've bought guns there before.The last about six weeks ago.Anyways tonight the nice,polite older gent clerk at the counter told me that he had had to go an extra step in processing my sale.He said that he had had to contact the FBI for approval.I haven't a clue(i know,my bad)about the normal procedure nowadays.My question is-Is this normal?
The clerk told me that about 1 in 4 required this call but then said that he was only part-time.ie IMO his statement was suspect.Did i trigger something to require the call or am i just being paranoid?
Thanks for any input.
jeff w

 

[Preacherman]

I think he was pulling your leg - either that, or he needs to be removed from his position at once!

 

[41mag]

Fair enough.If the black helocopters haven't shown up yet they probably won't.
I was just concerned because I've purchased four guns since january & don't want any "problems" w/whats coming the next few weeks.
Thanks,jeff w

 

[Moparmike]

Umm, every time I buy a gun, the store calls someone for a NICS check, and I always assumed it was the FBI or the ATF. I figured that it was the FBI, because the ATF doesnt (or shouldnt anyway) have judicial records.

 

[PATH]

Fill out 4473 and get a NICS check. What am I missing here? We do it on everyone we sell a firearm too. I think the fella must have been kidding!

 

[c_yeager]

Is there a computer based system for a NICS check? If there is maybe it doesnt always work and they have to use the old fashioned call-em-on-the-phone technique?

 

[Langenator]

Don't think they can do an over-the-net NICS search right now. Still requires that they talk to a person on the other end who runs your name through the database. Which, come to think of it, does seem kind of dumb. But it provides plenty of federal jobs for the people who answer the phone and search the database.