What Can Happen During a Background Check?

There are a few things that can happen during a background check. Since we are located in Texas, we only have to do a Federal Background Check through the FBI in order to legally transfer a firearm to you. Other states may have a state background check that must also be conducted. But, for the purposes of this information, I am only going to deal with the Federal Background Check.

First of all, you will need to bring at least one Government (State or Federal) issued ID with you at the time of the transfer attempt. For example, a state issued driver's license or ID card or a federally issued passport and any of those need to be current; not expired and one ID must have your current address. A Social Security Card will NOT suffice for an ID.

After your ID has been established, you will start filling in a form for the transfer. You must fill in the form completely and correctly. After you have filled in, signed and dated the form, the FFL with them make sure that you have not given any answers to the questions on the form that would disqualify you from the transfer. If the answer to any of the questions disqualifies you, then the FFL will not be able to transfer your firearm to you. In fact, the FFL would not even be able to perform the background check. So, read each question carefully and if confused by any of the questions, ask the FFL. The FFL will not tell you how to answer the question but, they can explain the question to you so that you understand it.

After the form has been checked by the FFL and all questions have been answered satisfactorily, the FFL with then start the background check. The background check can be done on the computer or over the phone.

After the FFL has put all of your information into the computer, they will do one more check to make sure that all the information is correct and complete. If it is, they will send the information to the National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS) section of the FBI.

Upon the submission of the info, the receiving computer checks several criminal databases. If nothing is found in any of those databases, there should be an instant response of "Proceed", which means that you have passed the Federal Background Check and the FFL can legally proceed with the transfer of your firearm to you. This is what normally happens and everyone is happy.

If there is any type of problem, for example, the NICS computer is very busy or something is found in any of the criminal databases, the response will more than likely be "Researching". At this point, a human becomes involved. Sometimes, after some time, usually 10 - 30 minutes, you'll get another response. It could be "Proceed", "Delayed" or "Denied". Again, if a "Proceed" response is received, everyone is happy and your firearm can be transferred to you. If a "Delayed" response is received, it could be a few hours to several days until a decision is made and a new response is received and your FFL cannot transfer your firearm to you yet. When the next decision is made, it could be either "Proceed", at which time everyone is happy or "Denied" at which time someone is more than likely unhappy as the FFL will not be able to transfer the firearm to you.

The FFL will not know the reason that you were denied but, the FFL should provide you with an NTN (NICS Transaction Number) which you can use to find out why you were denied by proceeding to the web address http://www.fbi.govv/nics-appeals and filing an appeal.

Hopefully, you never get a "Denied" response but, it isn't hopeless because of the appeals process.

If you live in Texas as well as many other states, and you hold a current "License to Carry" (LTC) or whatever your state calls your concealed carry license, you may be able to bypass the background check since a full background check was done on you for that license. Check with your local FFL to see what is required in your state.

I hope this explains what could happen during a Federal Background Check at your local FFL.