A question about background checks

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malix

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About 2 months ago i stopped by my usual FFL guy to pick up the Sig P6 i had ordered online, and after getting off the phone for the NICS check he mentioned that everytime he does one of these for me the first person he talks to isn't able to give authorization, they have to go up to the next level before they will give me the OK.

That struck me as odd, considering that i have absolutely no criminal record other than a couple of traffic tickets, and i also happen to have a very unusual last name so I doubt that it could be confusion over someone else with the same name as me. But as long as they approved my purchase i really wasnt too concerned about it.

Then recently i put in my CCW application. After some lurking on a local gun forum i chose to apply a county that has a reputation for fast turn-arounds (Ohio law allows you to apply in any neighboring counties). I read several recent reports of people having their permits in their mailboxes within 2-3 days, and one guy even received it the same day! :eek:

Well it has now been 3 weeks of waiting since i applied, and i have to wonder if whatever it was that flagged me for the next level of scrutiny on the NICS check is also the reason why my permit is taking so long.

Is there any way for me to find out what shows up on these background checks when they run my name? Im getting tired of coming home from work everyday to find only bills & junk-mail in my mailbox. :p
 
I believe the only way you can request more information is if you are actually denied.
 
I think they are just drinking coffee and eating donuts all day while answering the phones and they flip a coin to decide if further review is needed.

I have some some customers that get delayed one time and then approved right away another time. So it can't be completely objective.
 
I have a similar problem... background checks take a very long time, and I have an uncommon last name.

Finally, a family friend who knows my background and is a FFL holder explained the reason to me. I few years ago I did some work for DOE and had a security clearance. In order to get that, the FBI did some very thorough searching, and have my name, fingerprints, and information on some of the lists that are cross-checked. Because everything is secret in some way, even the reason why the FBI wanted to know so much about me was not available for casual searching in the database. If it was, then an enterprising person with some time on their hands could use a phonebook or something to determine the names of everyone with a security clearance. So the background check just says that I am on an FBI list, and the checker has to show that they have a legitimite reason to be asking about why I am on the FBI list. It works out in the end, but it takes a lot longer than just saying, "nope, not on the list"

This is one possible explanation, another is that some of your personal information (address, name, whatever) matches someone on the list and they need to investigate further.
 
If that's how it works ...

If that's how it works, I'm in deep doo doo, having two unrelated federal security clearances. No doubt having applied for a carry permit in two different states doesn't help either.

I've had one check go through in five minutes. I've had one go through in 45 minutes. I've had one delayed indefinitely. (At a gun show of course.) And I had one denied, and that one took about three weeks to get ironed out.

And they want me to support government health care ...
 
I think Chemistry Guy nailed it. There's a good chance some people would need a little further investigation, which is typically done through a Fusion Center. The folks at the NICS center don't need a whole lot of details... They probably contact a F/C and ask if they see any details which would exclude a firearm... all the F/C says is "yes" or "no".
 
i have a valid CWFL here in Florida and bought 1 new gun from a local dealer, a smith 38 spl airweight, and was given a conditional, and a 3 day waiting period. i told the store owner i guess it don't mater that i have a loaded 357 on my side and a carry permit but meed a 3 day wait too..... ***.... government at work...
 
Thankfully, here in NC, the background checks are done when you apply for your CCW or to buy "purchase permits" (CCW acts as/is "purchase permit").

As long as you've got one of the above, it's cash & carry.
 
It is crazy. I applied for a FL non resident permit in June. My check was cashed on July 1. While I have been waiting, I have applied for and received both VA and UT non resident permits and am waiting for my NV permit to arrive. FL? Nada. I have called 3 times and been told "there was something with my application that needs more investigation" and that my application was held up while they "investigate."

What do VA, UT and NV know that FL can't figure out? Obviously I have passed background checks in the other three states. But FL isn't satisfied. Don't they all use the FBI for prints and background checks?

sheesh.

I vote for the "sitting around drinking coffeee and donuts" reason.

:banghead:
 
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few years ago I did some work for DOE and had a security clearance.
Click to expand...

Strange. I've got a TS SCI and it has never caused my background checks any delay. I don't work for DOE, but...
 
I have a similar issue. Sometimes when I buy a gun, I get delayed and sometimes not it is baffling. My wife never gets delayed, we have even made purchase on the same day at the same shop, she walks out with her gun, I get to wait. Seems like if it is recurring issue there should be some way to find out what the issue is.
 
1st, Usually (not always) if you give your SSN it will speed things up

2nd, If you think you're the only person with your name or SSN, you're not.

There are 2 of my exact name here in the states and one with my first and last name overseas.

A good friend of mine always had banking trouble only to find out somebody had his SSN

And lets not forget if they don't enter the info correct it will take longer. My wife was denied Passport because they spelt her name wrong. When we pointed that out to them, we still had to get a ton of bullcrap paperwork and notary to prove they made the mistake.

Make you wonder why it's called "Government Intelligence"
 
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