National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS)

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Questions and answers regarding the National Instant Criminal Background Check System.

At what point during a transaction should a licensee contact NICS?

What NICS or state POC response information must a licensee record on ATF Form 4473?

If a transferee receives a “denied” response from NICS, can the transferee find out why they were denied?

What should a licensee tell a transferee who is denied by NICS?

What if a licensee receives a “denied” response from NICS or a state POC after 3 business days have elapsed, but prior to the transfer of the firearm?

If a licensee contacts NICS on a Thursday and gets a “delayed” response, when may the licensee transfer the firearm if no further response is received from NICS?

What does a “business day" mean for the NICS requirements?

What does it mean when a licensee receives a “cancelled” response from the FBI to a NICS background check?

Are there transfers that are exempt from the NICS background check requirement?

Is a NICS background check required for the sale of a firearm to a law enforcement official for their personal use?

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