Delayed/Turned down to buy a handgun

[John828]

I just went out to buy a gun after ten years of not owning any, and after the salesman made the phone call, he said it was a delayed decision or it needed further review.

I got a DWI almost three years ago, but other than that, I have never been on the wrong side of the law officially.

What's that phone call all about anyway?

Here I was with a thousand bucks cash burning a hole in my pocket, a case of ammunition, and a beautiful forecast for the range tomorrow.

 

[Feud]

I've heard that if one's name is the same as a flagged individual it can sometimes cause problems, but it should all get cleared up in a few days. It's my understanding that after either three or seven days the gun store can sell the firearm anyway unless the ATF (or whoever handles it) tells specifically not to (don't quote me on that).

 

[rdhood]

I got a DWI almost three years ago, but other than that, I have never been on the wrong side of the law officially.

It is probably just "Delayed". Give it time to go through. A DWI or something "unofficial" could have been incorrectly entered into to the system causing a disqualification. If it comes back Denied, appeal the denial and find out what the hangup is.

 

[John828]

I stopped by the store just to fondle "my" gun until I was approved to take it home. The shop owner said, "Why don't we give them a call back and see what happens."

Got the gun and am now headed to the Game and Fish range.

I know not many are interested in my little drama but I have to share with someone since my family are pretty much antis/neutral (can anyone really be neutral?)

 

[Mainsail]

Do you have a common name?
Did you provide your SSN on the form?

 

[Nate C.]

A 'delay' is nothing to panic about. A delay just gives the gubmint time to double check the identifiers.

A delay can be triggered by some other guy with a similar name to yours on the 'No Go' list. I was once told if you have a security clearance as a government/military employee or contractor or are in the process of getting one, that can also trigger a delay. Not sure why.

 

[NG VI]

I have been delayed both times I have purchased a gun from a shop, it wasn't a big deal either time, they just give the clerk a date, and if they haven't called back to approve/deny by that date, the sale is approved.

 

[Titan6]

This is pretty normal. I have never been delayed, but hear of it happeneing all the time.

 

[Chipperman]

Congrats on getting it. Do we get to know what it is now?

 

[revjen45]

I have an uncommon name, but there was an individual whose last name was the same as mine and first name the same as my middle name. My credit score is over 800, but I kept getting calls for him by bill collectors, some of whom didn't believe me when I said they had the wrong person. I learned to return their rudeness and hang up while they were still belching drivel. You probably experienced a similar error in a different forum but didn't have the pleasure of returning the insult.

 

[DFW1911]

I've heard that if one's name is the same as a flagged individual it can sometimes cause problems, but it should all get cleared up in a few days.

This has caused me to be delayed several times, so I became pretty used to it.

I wouldn't worry about it, you'll be up and running in no time.

Then you can complain about ammo prices with us

Take care,
DFW1911

 

[mljdeckard]

Heard a caller on Guntalk who has a twin brother with the same first, last name, and middle initial. Same birthdate, etc. Brother is a convicted felon. Never ending nightmare.

 

[Mortech]

Normally around here its the LEOs that get delayed alot .

 

[The Lone Haranguer]

Heard a caller on Guntalk who has a twin brother with the same first, last name, and middle initial. Same birthdate, etc. Brother is a convicted felon. Never ending nightmare.

The same first name?

 

[realmswalker]

John,

Were you given probation for your DWI?

 

[mljdeckard]

The caller said they had the same first name, and different middle names that started with the same initial. I know, I would slap my parents silly.

 

[kanderson586]

was delayed, but got the call 2 hours later as approved

 

[Ala Dan]

Anytime a perspective buyer has been fingerprinted, it automatically
sends by "red flags" to the NICS operator; and is then turned over
to a NICS examiner for further review. LEO's, Military Members, and
Defense Contactirs experience this as well as "Ole' Joe Blow" off the
local street corner. It doesn't mean that you have a criminal record;
it simply means that the FBI wants to check things out just a little
bit closer before waving the "PROCEED" flag. Nothing to worry 'bout,
cuz all that IS well, WILL end well~!

 

[Chipperman]

Anytime a perspective buyer has been fingerprinted, it automatically
sends by "red flags" to the NICS operator; and is then turned over
to a NICS examiner for further review.

I've been fingerprinted MULTIPLE times for various reasons, and have never been delayed by NICS.

 

[John828]

Chipperman, it's a Taurus PT 1911.

From what I read on forums, it will either be a colossal piece of junk or a tackdriver. There seems to be no middle ground according to posters. I have a hunch it will just be what it is--a decent gun at a decent price.

I put 250 Remington 230 gr FMJ's through it this afternoon and enjoyed every round. It does shoot low though--about 4 to 6 inches below POA. This is my first centerfire pistol, so it could be me, but I am pretty sure I was not flinching.

I am going to go out Tuesday for another 250 rounds and let a friend shoot it before I take a file to the front sight.

 

[Tom Servo]

Not to worry. The delay just means a human being has to review it first.

A DWI alone won't disqualify you, so I wouldn't sweat it. As others have said, it just means there's a blip on the radar.

For example, I sold a gun to a guy on a Tuesday. No delay. On Friday, he got delayed. What happened? He'd been in a fender-bender on Thursday, and although he wasn't at fault or cited, his name was in the system somewhere, hence the delay.

I've heard of checks getting delayed because of computer and/or staffing problems at the time they were called in. The rumor about folks with clearance seems to hold water as well.

If the shopkeeper's a nice guy (and if he has a few minutes), ask him to place a follow-up call. Very often, it takes the FBI a couple of days to call the dealer, when in fact the check has cleared after only a couple of hours.

 

[mljdeckard]

I've got a very thick file with the feds, but I always use my CCW to waive the regular check and fee, it goes through the state BCI, I've never had a delay.

 

[.cheese.]

I put my SSN on my forms. While I hate the idea of possible identity theft from putting that number out there at stores, I like the idea of eliminating any potential for a identity mixup.

 

[Desk Jockey]

I put my SSN on my forms. While I hate the idea of possible identity theft from putting that number out there at stores, I like the idea of eliminating any potential for a identity mixup.

I've always done that too. But I've still been denied (OK'd after appeal) and get delayed every time. Learned in the appeal process that someone with my name and a similar birthdate does not play well with others.

Since I still get delayed even with the SSN, I'm convinced that they never look at it.

 

[MachIVshooter]

Since I still get delayed even with the SSN, I'm convinced that they never look at it.

Only if your FFL enters it. Whenever I buy, they almost always key everythihng from your DL while you're filling out the 4473.