NICS question...

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Frog48

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Today I filled out the form for the NICS background check, and it is "delayed". I was told that delays are so that the Feds have 3 extra days to do a more in-depth background check.

Normally, I'd be fine with it and patiently wait till they call back so I can proceed with the purchase. But last year, I got a "delay" while buying my .30-06 rifle. So I'm beginning to wonder if its something about me, since I've been "delayed" twice in a year...

Are these delays given at random? Or do the Feds see something suspicious about me? I have no idea what would be suspicious about me, though. :confused:
 
Delays in Virginia are usually caused by the police being busy, like on a gun show day.

Otherwise, it's because you're name is similar to someone with a questionable background.
 
If you get a Texas CHL you won't have to deal with this nonsense in the future.
 
More than likely there is something about you that closely resembles someone who IS prevented from purchasing firearms, so they have to check closer to make sure it's you and not him trying to buy a gun.
 
I've never been delayed, but know lots of people that have. As previously stated, its rarely something to worry about, and ther can be numerous reasons. If you're "clean" it won't be a problem.
 
Did you supply your social security number when you filled out the form? Lots of people don't (I applaud that) but it can create real problems if you've got the same name and birthdate as some scumbag in the system.

There's 300 million people in the US and something like 10 million or so are in prison and GOD only knows how many others that have been.

there's only so many names and birth dates to go around. Odds aren't that high that any given name and birthdate also belongs to a registered criminal.

If you supplied your SSN and still got delayed ask the FFL what you've got to do to find out why - the goobermint is required by law to tell you and it is my understanding that you can take action to resolve the issue as necessary.
 
Law enforcement computers

are set up to ensure no false negatives, not no false positives. That means if your name and DOB is close to a b/g's, they'll delay while they dig a little deeper. The occasional unnecessary "delay" is no inconvenience to them, especially if it meas keeping guns away from b/g's.
 
If you supplied your SSN and still got delayed ask the FFL what you've got to do to find out why

Yes, I supplied my SSN. I did ask why it was delayed, but all he said was "It just happens".

I'm not worried, I'm clean. The only reason I brought it up is because this is the second time I've been delayed within a year.

The main reason its an inconvenience for me is that my parents live in San Antonio and I live in Fort Worth. I had been in SA visiting, and on my way back to Fort Worth, I stopped at Cabelas in Buda (Austin) on my way in between. The purchase was an impulse buy (hey, who hasnt?). So now to pick up the gun, I'm gonna have to make a special trip back down to Buda/Austin. If I knew I was gonna get delayed, I would have waited and bought at the Cabelas in Fort Worth, so that going back to pick it up isnt out of the way.


Would it be inappropriate to call Cabelas in Buda/Austin and tell them that I'm no longer interested, and that I'll just buy (and re-do all the paperwork) in Fort Worth?
 
often someone with either your name or a name similer to yours has been a bad boy and the feds want to look closer to make sure which one is trying to buy the gun, that is why the ssn really helps matters a good deal.

Also a friend of mine recently got a delayed response. The clerk said that is pretty common with ex military guys that buy guns from him. Anyone know if thats true or not?
 
Also a friend of mine recently got a delayed response. The clerk said that is pretty common with ex military guys that buy guns from him. Anyone know if thats true or not?
I've heard that but don't believe it. Why would the govt single out ex-military for extra checks?

I'm ex military - 13 years. 3 in the Army and 10 in the Navy. Got out in '85. Had a secret clearance on file. I can't count the number of times I've had to fill out that stupid 4473 since they came into being and I've never been delayed once. If they were singling out military guys why not me? Knock on Wood!
 
NICS Delay

I get routinely delayed. I eventually figured out it was probably due to a certain "youthful indescretion" approximately 32 years ago. Sometimes I don't get delayed so it may depend on how hard the clerk at the end of the phone looks at what ever records they have.

Some might say aha! youthful indescretion! delay!
Another might say hmmm youthful indescretion ... nothing in the following 32 years ... proceed.
 
I'm ex military - 13 years. 3 in the Army and 10 in the Navy. Got out in '85. Had a secret clearance on file. I can't count the number of times I've had to fill out that stupid 4473 since they came into being and I've never been delayed once. If they were singling out military guys why not me? Knock on Wood!
Maybe they are worried about trained motivated disgruntled ex-employees :neener:

It doesn't make a whole lot of sense with me either, at least you would know these are people with training. Even though it doesn't make sense to you or I remember....this is the .gov we are talking about here.
 
I've been told by dealers that the more common your name, the more likely you will be delayed. It makes sense, for reasons stated above.

I have an extremely rare last name, and as far as I've been able to find, nobody else in this country has the same first - middle - last name combination as me.

All of my NICS checks clear instantly.
 
all have mine have also, not a common name either.

Surprising though my uncle has the same name (minus the middle name) and was always a bad puddy cat.
 
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