NICS "delay" at gun show?

[Frog48]

Let me set up the question... EVERYTIME I buy a firearm, for whatever reason, I get a "delay" from NICS. No joke, absolutely every time. Its annoying, but they always come back correctly as "proceed" within a couple days.

What happens if I buy a firearm at a gun show, and the transaction is "delayed" by NICS? What if NICS doesnt call back with a "proceed" in time (most shows are 2-3 days, but NICS has 4 business days to return the call). Am I screwed, since most of the vendors at gun shows are from out of town and/or gunshow only dealers without an actual storefront?

The reason I ask is that I've been looking to buy an AR-15 for a while, and it seems like the best prices are to be had at gunshows.

Thanks!

 

[dejadoo]

Being that you live in the Great State of Texas, I would recommend you get your concealed carry permit; it serves as NICS when you make purchases.

 

[AirForceShooter]

Do you provide your SS#?
That might speed things up.

AFS

 

[perpster]

get your concealed carry permit; it serves as NICS when you make purchases

I thought I heard that this recently changed, and that NICS has to be done for every purchase, every time, even for active duty LEO. Did I hear wrong?

 

[Frog48]

Do you provide your SS#? That might speed things up.

Yes, I've tried that too, doesnt make a difference.

 

[thertel]

either get the chl or jump through the hoops and get your unique identifier number from the atf which will basically speed it up.

 

[ChickenHawk]

I thought I heard that this recently changed, and that NICS has to be done for every purchase, every time, even for active duty LEO. Did I hear wrong?

Yep, you heard wrong. If you have a CHL then no NICS test is required in Texas.

Cheers,
ChickenHawk

 

[Spreadfire Arms]

police officers are not exempt from the NICS background check. in Texas the only exemption to a NICS check is your Texas CHL (not an out of state CHL with reciprocity in Texas).

if you get delayed every time you can contact NICS at (877) 324-6427 and have them fax you a brochure, or read this:


http://www.fbi.gov/hq/cjisd/nics/oper-rpt/oper-rpt-2001-2.pdf

look at page 32, "fax on demand"

i believe you have to get fingerprinted and have them submitted to them. after that is done they wll issue you a UPIN (Unique Personal Identification Number) that you can use on the Form 4473 to get a "proceed" in the future.

 

[Smurfslayer]

usually ss# has little or nothing to do with it. If you name is Jim or Bob Smith or if you have a person of identical name with RO's, parolee, serial killer, terrorist leanings that could cause a problem. A friend of mine actually got arrested for this reason when he went to renew his handgun permit. Same 1st & last name, middle initial, different SSN. I'm not sure what, if anything you can do about it. I would see what the local groups suggest, possibly talk to a firearms lawyer.

One more thing could make a difference, actual criminal history...

If you can show dates, times then you should be able to show some form of problem, but I'm not sure where you go from here.

 

[berettashotgun]

Same thing EVERYTIME. Same dealer, same delay, before 1:25pm, but after 1:20pm, the next day. Sucks for gun show purchases, really bad.

 

[Frog48]

One more thing could make a difference, actual criminal history...

Its definitely not my name. I guarantee there is nobody else in the country with my name, nor anything close. My surname is quite rare... I know EVERY person in the country with my surname.

I'll be honest... I have a class B misdemeanor DWI conviction on my record from several years ago... typical college stupidity. However, I dont see how that should affect the NICS check, as it is not a disqualifying offense. I wouldnt think that would raise any red flags, but who knows.

I've considered consulting a firearms attorney, to get their opinion. I dont like the idea of getting a UPIN, but it may be my only option.

 

[Sistema1927]

I am sure that the usual crowd will chime in here and tell us how NICS is not an infrgingement, and that it is the price that we pay in order to keep firearms out of the hands of criminals.

I am sure that is great consolation to the battered and stalked woman who needs to defend her life from a 300 lb. bully only to be told that the NICS check was delayed. I am sure that her restraining order will keep her safe until the bureaucrats get their act together.

 

[wdlsguy]

if you get delayed every time you can contact NICS at (877) 324-6427 and have them fax you a brochure, or read this:


http://www.fbi.gov/hq/cjisd/nics/oper-rpt/oper-rpt-2001-2.pdf

look at page 32, "fax on demand"

i believe you have to get fingerprinted and have them submitted to them. after that is done they wll issue you a UPIN (Unique Personal Identification Number) that you can use on the Form 4473 to get a "proceed" in the future.

If you are going to get fingerprinted, you may as well get a CHL.

 

[Frog48]

If you are going to get fingerprinted, you may as well get a CHL.

The DWI on my record (or any Class B or higher conviction) disqualifies me from getting a CHL for 5 years from the date of conviction.

It sucks, because I've looked around on packing.org, and most states dont disqualify you from obtaining a CHL unless it was a violent misdemeanor. Oh well... gotta accept the consequences of my actions. It was a very humbling experience, and has led me to mature and realize I can not get involved with the stupid college partying crap I used to do.

 

[MechAg94]

All I can think of is to:
1) Try to go early on Saturday and hope they get the call back that weekend.
2) Buy from dealers at the show that are local.
3) Find an FFL who will transfer the firearm to you after the vendor has to ship it to you. The gun show sellers ought to still honor their gun show prices + shipping.