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WTF is this NICS delay BS?

2aBaC̶a̶

Humans are amusing
Full Member
Minuteman
Jan 27, 2019
6,064
7,496
I Da ho
So this is a first. of all things on a 22LR bolt gun for my son. maybe they started checking social credit scores. 🤷‍♂️

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Seems like I get delayed more than not since Covid came. Usually resolved within 3 days and you get a Proceed notice. It's just because the system is overwhelmed with requests and gets timed-out.

I have never seen that piece of paper before, though - where'd you get it? All my applications were done online by the retailers, and they just get a notification on the computer it is Delayed.
 
Wonder if someone with a similar name is on the no-go list, and they need a manual review to verify that you're not the dude. It's irritating I know, but it happens. If it becomes a problem, establish a UPIN with the ATF and that will help out.

Branden
 
So this is a first. of all things on a 22LR bolt gun for my son. maybe they started checking social credit scores. 🤷‍♂️

View attachment 8005437
Suddenly during COVID and extending to now, I have been put on delay for every NICS transaction....after 30 years or more of just getting approved. And I have NO FBI record...nada.

In all cases, the Delay was lifted and an Approved/Proceed was then replied to my FFL. Most often that day...even in one case just 20 minutes....but NLT than the next day.

My FFL explained to me that they used to have examiners who actually took the calls and if there was any confusion at all with a similar name, they would clear it up on the spot. Now, per my FFL, they have more admin types answering the phone and in case of any sort of sniff of an issue they put it on Delay until an examiner can look at it and give you the approved.

WHEN did this happen? Today? Just now? Maybe just give it a day or so (well, Thanksgiving ain't going to help the situation).

As for me, I'm tired of paying even this small price for the FBI's failure to fulfill the "Instant" part of NICS so I'm going to get a UPIN.

"When you apply for the VAF, FBI personnel will research your case and assign you a Unique Personal Identification Number (UPIN) if you have no firearms prohibitions. "

 
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t
Seems like I get delayed more than not since Covid came. Usually resolved within 3 days and you get a Proceed notice. It's just because the system is overwhelmed with requests and gets timed-out.

I have never seen that piece of paper before, though - where'd you get it? All my applications were done online by the retailers, and they just get a notification on the computer it is Delayed.
The retailer gave me that, on the back side it sayd denied. at the bottom is nics inquiry number.
 
I had a short lived retail job with a big box store that got me into the firearms sales section. The state at the time did their checks on me for a Seller ID. Almost ten years later that review is still valid and my Seller ID. Transactions are a mere refresh of the screen.....approved. I've had plenty an argument with LGS 11Bs Combat Cooks that think I'll be waiting hours "due to high demand". They tend to be a bit humble when they are forced back to work to finish my purchase/paperwork.

My point: Check you local area for how they handle store retail workers. So you go get a part time job selling weapons retail. Then quit when you want.
 
Suddenly during COVID and extending to now, I have been put on delay for every NICS transaction....after 30 years or more of just getting approved. And I have NO FBI record...nada.

In all cases, the Delay was lifted and an Approved/Proceed was then replied to my FFL. Most often that day...even in one case just 20 minutes....but NLT than the next day.

My FFL explained to me that they used to have examiners who actually took the calls and if there was any confusion at all with a similar name, they would clear it up on the spot. Now, per my FFL, they have more admin types answering the phone and in case of any sort of sniff of an issue they put it on Delay until an examiner can look at it and give you the approved.

WHEN did this happen? Today? Just now? Maybe just give it a day or so (well, Thanksgiving ain't going to help the situation).

As for me, I'm tired of paying even this small price for the FBI's failure to fulfill the "Instant" part of NICS so I'm going to get a UPIN.

"When you apply for the VAF, FBI personnel will research your case and assign you a Unique Personal Identification Number (UPIN) if you have no firearms prohibitions. "

happened yesterday. I researched it and according to the ATF if it takes more than 3days your FFL can proceed with the transaction anyways.
 
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happened yesterday. I researched it and according to the ATF if it takes more than 3days your FFL can proceed with the transaction anyways.
Yes they can....and hopefully your FFL is your brother in-law or something as most FFLs will not want to take the risk of releasing a gun on a Delay. I mean, you can ask, but often its a no. They have no obligation to release the gun to you on a Delay status. Purely at their prerogative and I personally never want to even ask and put my FFL in that awkward position.

Good luck.
 
Probably due to the law changes 11/8, Oregon specifically. Huge jump in people purchasing before it takes effect, so there is a large queue of submissions.
 
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I’ve explained this 10,743 times so what’s 10,744?

It’s not a big deal the office only has so many people and since covid gun sales have increased dramatically. It was so bad in the initial rush they canceled the 3 day rule and lots of folks were waiting over the 30 day limit and doing a second check after the first 4473 expired.

It’s not a big deal, it’s not a personal attack on you(unless you’ve picked up charges), and it’s not a conspiracy. It could be as simple as the work loads so high they’d rather delay you than make you wait in the store for hours. Also could be you had a typo, similar info to someone who’s ineligible, or one of the people involved wanted to double check something and was having trouble locating the answer or getting back in a timely manner. It’s also the holidays and everyone is out buying guns.

There’s a million things that can delay you....again not a big deal.

Also unless that’s something new you don’t appeal delays, that’s for denials(and it would be a pamphlet and a paper usually)..never seen a paper handed to anyone for a delay.
 
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I applied for a UPIN after my first and only delay. Took 11 months to receive it IIRC.
Pretty pointless unless there’s someone with the exact info as you who’s a felon, or various other reasons. UPIN numbers are rare as hell and you usually get them because you keep getting denied and winning the appeal because something like I mentioned in the first sentence.

“I had to wait 2-3 days once....so I waited 11 months for this instead”
 
I understand that. I made numerous purchases during the wait for the UPIN without a hiccup. It was free and could not have been easier to apply for. I hoped it would also keep any of my NFA applications from getting screwed up.

Also my delay was more like 5 months and involved contacting my congressional representatives to intervene so I thought it would be worth having.
 
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All I’m seeing is more reasons to only build your own guns, wherever possible
 
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I’m also able to bypass with my carry permit, but that’s up to the individual retailer in this state. I don’t shop where they don’t honor that anymore.
 
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I understand that. I made numerous purchases during the wait for the UPIN without a hiccup. It was free and could not have been easier to apply for. I hoped it would also keep any of my NFA applications not get screwed up.

Also my delay was more like 5 months and involved contacting my congressional representatives to intervene so I thought it would be worth having.
The law doesn’t allow for delays that long that’s why there’s a 3 day rule. A upin probably wouldn’t have helped a royal fuck up.

You are in a very minuscule number of outliers, delays happen thousands of times a day. A lot of times it’s the guys who don’t put there social security number...because the FBI magically wont know who they are....but still know if you are eligible magically.... they fuck themselves not adding the one number that would pretty much instantly clear up any questions.
 
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We put up laughy faces but its not really funny, or unlikely.
Very unlikely.

Used to always hear the stupidest theories from people who obviously don’t know how it works.
 
it may be nothing but I cant pass up an opportunity to bust the Systems balls when it infringes. even if that infringement is merely an inconvenience and wasting my time.
 
This is part of the reason why I maintain my conceal carry permit. It allows me to walk in and out pretty much as fast as I can fill out the form(s).

My question though is since when did they start giving out a notice on paper? Or has that always been the case?
 
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I had a short lived retail job with a big box store that got me into the firearms sales section. The state at the time did their checks on me for a Seller ID. Almost ten years later that review is still valid and my Seller ID. Transactions are a mere refresh of the screen.....approved. I've had plenty an argument with LGS 11Bs Combat Cooks that think I'll be waiting hours "due to high demand". They tend to be a bit humble when they are forced back to work to finish my purchase/paperwork.

My point: Check you local area for how they handle store retail workers. So you go get a part time job selling weapons retail. Then quit when you want.


Nope. My Dad retired from law enforcement, keeps current on quals for 50 state concealed carry, and was selling guns.

Still had to have a UPIN.

He paid a PI to do a check years ago when it first started happening. Somebody with the same first and last name, same middle initial, and last 4 of the social was the same numbers in a different order. That guy is a 3x felon, but the info is close enough the system would flag it.


Was hilarious watching him get delayed in uniform with a gun belt on, when he would swing by after his shift was over to buy a gun.
 
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I understand that. I made numerous purchases during the wait for the UPIN without a hiccup. It was free and could not have been easier to apply for. I hoped it would also keep any of my NFA applications from getting screwed up.

Also my delay was more like 5 months and involved contacting my congressional representatives to intervene so I thought it would be worth having.

That's illegal and you should have just told the store you needed a refund and went to shop somewhere they would follow the law.

ATF has 3 days to follow up the delay with a denial. If they don't deny in 3 days the store is supposed to release the gun to you.
LGS got a denial after a week last summer. ATF wasn't happy when he called them and reported that their denial wasn't worth shit and the gun was already gone from their books. They actually had to do their job and track the guy down.
 
That's illegal and you should have just told the store you needed a refund and went to shop somewhere they would follow the law.

ATF has 3 days to follow up the delay with a denial. If they don't deny in 3 days the store is supposed to release the gun to you.
LGS got a denial after a week last summer. ATF wasn't happy when he called them and reported that their denial wasn't worth shit and the gun was already gone from their books. They actually had to do their job and track the guy down.
No, not “supposed to”…they are “allowed to” which also means they allowed to NOT release it and to send your gun back from whence it came.
 
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I’m pretty sure it’s the retailers choice to release that weapon after the 3 days of delayed status. It’s definitely the retailers choice to bypass the NICS check with a carry permit. Lots of places around here require the full check regardless of your carry permit.

My situation may have been a one-off, but either way, I had to get my US rep to handle it, and decided to get my UPIN in the meantime to hopefully avoid a similar situation in the future. I especially like to include it with NFA applications because I don’t want to wait a year for something and then have it get screwed up.
 
I’m pretty sure it’s the retailers choice to release that weapon after the 3 days of delayed status. It’s definitely the retailers choice to bypass the NICS check with a carry permit. Lots of places around here require the full check regardless of your carry permit.

My situation may have been a one-off, but either way, I had to get my US rep to handle it, and decided to get my UPIN in the meantime to hopefully avoid a similar situation in the future. I especially like to include it with NFA applications because I don’t want to wait a year for something and then have it get screwed up.
You don’t do background checks releasing NFA items the year wait is when they do the background check. 9/10 times it’s a time issue when your delayed not a info issue(according to the NICs people I ever talked to)
 
Mike, perhaps we are misunderstanding each other here. I’m aware that the ATF takes forever to move the NFA applications along. I’m also aware that the FBI processes the background check at NICS once they receive the request from ATF or your local FFL. It’s actually right here in Clarksburg, WV, where I work. I’m quite familiar with the place, since we respond there all the time for medical emergencies and fire alarms.

I can see normal delays being because of a timing issue or a clerical issue. No argument there whatsoever. My particular situation was neither.

What I was saying above is, if I were to submit an NFA application, I don’t want that being delayed for upwards of 5 months on top of the already oppressive wait time just because FBI NICS has me on a delay status. So I went for a UPIN. If you don’t need one, then great. I didn’t want to go through that again when I have a spotless record.
 
A lot of times it’s the guys who don’t put there social security number...because the FBI magically wont know who they are....but still know if you are eligible magically.... they fuck themselves not adding the one number that would pretty much instantly clear up any questions.

I never put my SSN
I am one of those crazy people that never provide information or data to anyone for anything unless 100% required and I can't do without whatever it is. For Example, you have to complete an I9 ID check to get a job in the US, so I provide my employer all those little details.

Anyone else that wants information can fuck the hell off. 4473 the SSN is not required, so fuck the hell off (and yes I have been delayed, who cares, its 3 days then you get your shit).
 
I never put my SSN
I am one of those crazy people that never provide information or data to anyone for anything unless 100% required and I can't do without whatever it is. For Example, you have to complete an I9 ID check to get a job in the US, so I provide my employer all those little details.

Anyone else that wants information can fuck the hell off. 4473 the SSN is not required, so fuck the hell off (and yes I have been delayed, who cares, its 3 days then you get your shit).
Apply the last point to voting and review the time line.

R
 
Mike, perhaps we are misunderstanding each other here. I’m aware that the ATF takes forever to move the NFA applications along. I’m also aware that the FBI processes the background check at NICS once they receive the request from ATF or your local FFL. It’s actually right here in Clarksburg, WV, where I work. I’m quite familiar with the place, since we respond there all the time for medical emergencies and fire alarms.

I can see normal delays being because of a timing issue or a clerical issue. No argument there whatsoever. My particular situation was neither.

What I was saying above is, if I were to submit an NFA application, I don’t want that being delayed for upwards of 5 months on top of the already oppressive wait time just because FBI NICS has me on a delay status. So I went for a UPIN. If you don’t need one, then great. I didn’t want to go through that again when I have a spotless record.
BINGO.

Fucking NFA wait sucks. Got stuck in FBI Purgatory my damn self once. Damn all that unconstitutional noise
 
Apply the last point to voting and review the time line.

R

I am happy to provide an ID to vote, my state REQUIRES IT
I also provide my SSN on my tax returns, it is REQUIRED

the 4473 form my SSN is OPTIONAL, lets not compare apples to oranges

If the 4473 REQUIRED my SSN I would give it

I do not provide OPTIONAL information, sorry that wasn't clear
 
They also sell firearms at non FFL dealers so you can pick it up right away. Then when they catch up at NICS you can file the paper work at your leisure .
 
guess there Abby is not as good as the one on tv
and no one called Jethro to lead the group so sad
 
Mike, perhaps we are misunderstanding each other here. I’m aware that the ATF takes forever to move the NFA applications along. I’m also aware that the FBI processes the background check at NICS once they receive the request from ATF or your local FFL. It’s actually right here in Clarksburg, WV, where I work. I’m quite familiar with the place, since we respond there all the time for medical emergencies and fire alarms.

I can see normal delays being because of a timing issue or a clerical issue. No argument there whatsoever. My particular situation was neither.

What I was saying above is, if I were to submit an NFA application, I don’t want that being delayed for upwards of 5 months on top of the already oppressive wait time just because FBI NICS has me on a delay status. So I went for a UPIN. If you don’t need one, then great. I didn’t want to go through that again when I have a spotless record.
How does a UPIN help with NFA approval time?
 
You can't refuse many classes of people.
As long as the store properly articulates why they’re not selling the item (gun, in this case), they can choose who they do or don’t do business with. It’s like gas stations or other places that have the signs “no shoes, no shirt, no service.” It’s not discriminatory if it applies equally to all.

If the customer is delayed three or more days and the store says, “selling the gun after that delay period is outside of our store policy,” and they apply that equally to all, the store should be alright.

What situation or fact pattern are you referring to?
 
How does a UPIN help with NFA approval time?
The UPIN would only help prevent you from getting stuck in FBI purgatory. Which can and does happen often.

There was a time when a Form1 might come back approved in less than 30 days. I’ve had one come back in as few as 12 days. Submitting the form1 eventually triggers a background check at FBI NICS. If they put you on delay, you can potentially wait until you have your elected representative intervene.

As far as the UPIN speeding anything up at the ATF NFA division, it does absolutely nothing. It’s all about a unique identifier for the FBI NICS.
 
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The release of a firearm after the pending decision /delay is a state thing not an ATF thing, it was that way in FL until the great Rick Scott helped change it right before he left as Governor. In FL there is no release of the firearm until the check comes back as approved, most of the times it is months. I don't know what's going on but we have seen more decision pending in the last two weeks than in the previous two years. In FL the NIC check goes thru FDLE .