Trying To Buy New Handgun; Background Check Delayed

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NewShooter78

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Well, today was my day off, so naturally I decided to go look at some guns. I have been out all day and ended up at a store with something I wanted. It was close to closing time and after the guys there were really great with customer service, I found myself setting up financing on a new handgun. So after I filled out the paper work for the financing, I filled out the yellow paper and waited a few minutes.

Now I've never had a previous problem with a background check so I figured it was just a little slow being Sunday and all. Well the guy behind the counter, Corey, told me that my background check was delayed! :cuss: I kind of figure it just have to do with the fact that I have just recently moved, and have neglected to change my address with the DMV. Dumb me.

So now I'll have to wait until Thursday before I can get my gun. Hopefully I'll be able to get over to the DMV tomorrow after work and change my address. I hope that's the only reason its being delayed.

Any of you have any problems with background checks that surprised you. I don't have a common name, and like I already said, I've never had a problem in the past.

:fire: :banghead:
 
I'm no expert but I don't think you not changing your address amounts to a hill of beans. More likely, you have a common name. Dunno. Good luck.

GT
 
Used to get delayed all the time. Don't know why. The last three guns I bought there has been no delay.
 
NewShooter78-

When I bought my Marlin 60, there was some wierd discussion going on between the employee and NICS which finally ended with the Wal Mart salesman saying "Are you SURE you don't want to provide your SSN?"

I really wanted the dern thing so I came across with it, in retrospect I wish I didn't. (After I gave I was approved right away). Its the only rifle I own (sigh), and handguns here go the Maryland State Police not NICS, so I have no idea why...

Did you give 'em your SSN?
 
I used to get delayed constantly. I heard that it was probably due to the fact that I got a security clearance when I was in the army. Because I had a file with my name on it with the govt I managed to get delayed every time (it became a running joke at the gun shop :rolleyes: ). Eventually NICS seems to have sorted out the govt files into "good guy" & "bad guy" piles and I haven't been delayed for a couple of years now.

Greg
 
It's just odd to me. I've never had a delay before, and I don't have any of the typical traits that delays a clearance. I don't have a common name. I've never had a security clearance. I'm not in trouble with the law. I gave them my ssn because it was closing time at the store and didn't want to hold the salespersons up. I'm sure its just some kind of snafu, but I just figured it had to be because I've just moved and all my personal info is in transition. I'll just have to keep my fingers crossed that it doesn't take until Thursday. :D
 
The very first time I filled out a NICS form I was 'delayed'. I happen to have a very common name. Every subsequent one went through with no problem. The system must be keeping track. :fire:
 
Interesting. I've never had a problem with regular guns.

Once had an 8 month wait for a machine gun, though the main problem there was there was a rootin tootin young Klintonista appointee at the regional office which had to approve the otherwise simple transfer from the manufacturer to the FFL. That took over 5 months instead of the customary 2 weeks, though the second part of the transfer (FFL to buyer) took a little less than the customary 3 months.

I suspect the level of competence at the BATF has gone up greatly since we have adult leadership now in Washington. :)
 
Don't you folks keep up with the news?


Under Reno and the Clinton Clowns the "instant" approval rate was 70%.

When Ashcroft came into town, he asked NICS to get the rate higher. They implemented a simple database change and hit 77%. They realized that they could make even more changes, so under the AG's directive they did and are now at around 91% instant approval rate. This has lessened the load on the higher security checkers so they can often perform a human check on a delayed before the shop even gets off the phone, but not always. Mostly it has involved more intelligent name matching pattern stuff, and also scoring results returned instead of only returning the first match (so if you share a bunch of info with a convicted felon, but have slightly different birthdays (say off by 5 days), then the computer may bring both of you back and score one record higher than the other)

If you didn't know, the normal calls are handled by a contract company call center. If the computer comes back with a clear record, you are approved. If the computer comes back with possible matches for a denial, then the call centers forward the call on to the actual government offices where "cleared" folks work a much smaller call center and can pull up and read criminal records. (the normal call center people don't have the clearance or authority to do that.)

Then they can make a proceed determination, they can request additional records (hello 3 day wait!), or they can issue a denial if they find what appears to be a match.

Of course if you are denied, you must go through the appeals process which is a PITA.
 
XenaduKhan,

I don't believe the fact that Ashcroft and the Bush administration having made the gun buying process easier has made the Houston Chronicle. Wonder why? :confused:

Thanks for the news.
 
I never give an SSN and have never been delayed.

(except for once when the whole system was down for 24 hours :cuss: )

Sometimes it pays to hang around or come back later in the day, if possible.

When I worked a gun counter, I would sometimes get a call back clearing the sale after a delay only 15 to 30 minutes later.


Of course, I have to agree with Standing Wolf.
 
You're social security number was never intended to be used for identification. Notice how it has become more difficult to obtain many things without using it. :mad: I never use my SS # for any purpose unless it is absolutely required. The resulting delay could be attributed to many things. I wouldn't worry about it too much. The more purchases you make, the shorter the delay gets. IMO. :rolleyes:
 
I've only been delayed once. I'm pretty sure it's because I was picking up a firearm from Illinois (I live in Indiana) and the commie Illinois people delay everybody.

It could be as simple as a Sunday request.
 
In my state the state police no longer staff the NCIS background check on Sundays; I have the same name as a guy doing time for domestic violence or some such thing, so I can never buy a firearm on a Sunday. They need to run more info. past state police during the week.

The upshot? Some scumbag with my same name isn't going to get a handgun and kill someone with it. I, on the other hand, simply have to wait less than 24 hours to add to my collection.

I'd rather put up with the wait than allow a criminal to possibly get a handgun because I'm inconvenienced for less than a day.
 
My last name is Miller. In Illinois there are thousands of Millers. A very common name everywhere, but especially here.

Several months ago I bought the first firearm from a dealer since the FBI took over the background checks.
I did not put in the SS#, and had no trouble. I don't like haveing to ask permission to buy a gun one bit, but it is the system, and sometimes you have to buy what you want from a dealer and not from a private party.

The gun shop counterman told me that he almost always gets a go ahead before he gets off the phone for long gun sales, and has about a 50-50 chance of being delayed with handguns.

From my very limited experiances, and what I have read, I can't see any rhyme nor reason for any of it.
 
Newshooter78,

I'm your neighbor over here in Baton Rouge. I bought a pistol a day before you and I was delayed also. I'm even a 03 (Curio & Relic) FFL holder!! This is the first time this has ever happened.

There must be something wrong with the system here in LA. right now. Computer is down or something like that.
 
Prezzz,
I still haven't heard anything yet (5:51pm Monday). I might give the shop a call and see if they have heard anything in a little while.
 
I got a call today at 4:48 PM from the store. They said I was approved.

Of course they close at 5:00 PM!!! :fire: :cuss:
 
Also Newshooter78,

A guy I've traded with on the forum lives in New Iberia. His forum name is "iluvG.R.I.T.S". He's looking into getting his FFL and will receive firearms and do the checks for no charge for forum members in our area.

Food for thought.
 
i wouldnt know what thats like... 10 days for me here in PRK no matter what..

i know at least one shop that had a cabelas cap and ball balck powder gun and they DROS'd it.. the dealer is so scared of the .gov he doesnt care and will DROS any gun that goes through his shop. I tried to explain to him that i could order it mail order and have it sent to my house... he told me to go do that then... oh well, his shop, his rules.

just suppose that mcclintock DID get elected tomorrow, would he executive order CCW and no 10 day wait ? think he would have the gonads ? end the PRK assault ban ?
 
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