National Instant Criminal Background Check System, or NICS, recently announced that they will not be taking any customer service related calls until after December 25, 2012. With Sandy School Shooting causing an increase in gun purchases, in combination with growing trend for holiday gun buying, the NICS section has announced the delay, since the department will be too busy in criminal background checks and other authority checking pertaining to gun purchase during this period.
As reported in a press conference, the National Instant Criminal Background Check System section will be extremely busy this holiday season, with the increasing number of gun purchases during this period. Last Saturday, many customers experienced busy circuits, longer wait times on calls, etc. The e-check system of NICS has been running with little to no delay.
However, at the same time, NICS reported that it won’t be handling any customer service related calls till December 25, 2012, which includes, but is not limited to general NICS related questions, NICS transaction status checks, and Appeal or Voluntary Appeal File related questions. This delay modification has been executed to better process the increasing incoming NICS background checks in an efficient manner.
The National Instant Criminal Background Check System was established with the focus to protect people and save lives by restricting explosives and guns falling into wrong hands. The department also ensures right and timely transfer of firearms to the qualified gun buyers. It is a section of FBI’s Criminal Justice Information Services Division in Clarksburg, West Virginia. Criminal background checks through NICS are conducted by Federal Firearms Licensees to quickly determine whether a potential buyer is eligible to purchase explosives or firearms. Before closing the sale, the FFLs call into NICS to check whether the customer has any criminal record or otherwise are ineligible to buy firearms or explosives. NICS reported more than 100 million checks in the last decade, with more than 700,000 denials.
Lately, the department is facing a tough time in handling a large number of incoming criminal background checks.. This has forced them to stop receiving all customer related calls until after December 25, 2012, and NICS apologizes for the inconvenience. However, NICS FFLs can enroll to NICS e-check to avoid unavailable telephone lines or extended wait times for their transactions during this period.
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