What Exactly Does the NICS Check?

[D-Man]

I was wondering, when you buy a gun, and they run the NICS check, what exactly is that looking at? And is there any other check that is used besides the NICS to look at a persons record/history?

I used to work in HR on the hiring end, and we ran background checks on potential employees. Our background checks would require that court records be checkd in counties of residence for a period of 7 years, and would pull up anything that was on record for the person. It would take a few days to get this data, though it could be rushed.

So with the NICS system, is it that comprehensive? Figure it's only a few minutes for the phone call, so I wonder what is being looked at - maybe just Federal records?

 

[rocky]

NCIS is a national data base of criminal history. If I remember right , it would check a persons criminal history anything on record would be in there.

 

[Jorg Nysgerrig]

This has pretty much all the answers you seek:
http://www.fbi.gov/hq/cjisd/nics/index.htm

 

[atlctyslkr]

Alot of info here http://www.fbi.gov/hq/cjisd/nics.htm

It is an assumption of mine (based on nothing other than the lack of procedure and communication at all levels of government) that when an individual commits an offense that causes a loss of firearms rights then whatever agency/court that makes this determination must transmit the info to NICS if they think the person may try to get a firearm right away (in the case of a restraining order).

My other theory is that every so often each state transmits a list of people convicted of felonies. Maybe once a quarter or something.

 

[AndyC]

Federal Categories of Persons Prohibited From Receiving:

"A person dishonorably discharged from the United States Armed Forces."

Interesting - better behave, you military types

 

[marklbucla]

When did THR turn into CNN?