Background check when purchasing a gun

[BigL]

In the last few years I've bought a 270, 45, and 380. When I bought the 270, I had a 3 day delay when purchasing. When I bought the 45 and 380, walk in and 10 min later walk out. Today when I tried to buy an 870, I had a delay come back. What wrong with that picture that I can buy a 45 and 380 but can't buy a 270 or 12 guage? Only common thing on the 270 and 12 guage is that I tried to buy them on the weekend and the 45 and 380, I bought on a weekday.

Any number I can call to find out why I'm getting a delay? This is frustrating! I was going to buy the 870 at Bass Pro today because between their instant rebate, my gift cards, and my rewards points, I would have walked out of there with only dropping 150 on the shotgun. Now I don't know if it's worth driving to San Antonio again or if I should just go to Academy or ****'s in Austin this week and buy there?

[outdoordaddy]

that sucks, never been delayed...now I have my CHL but even before I bought 5 or 6 guns without ever being delayed over 10 mins for phone calls. Now it gets really easy with the CHL!

[Tubby]

I bought a XD 40 pistol a few weeks ago at Gander Mountain on a Saturday. I filled out the paperwork. It surprised me when they entered my info into the computer and checked me online. Saved a lot of time waiting on them on the phone. 10 minutes tops.

Last weekend (again on a Saturday) I went back into the same Gander Mountain to look at shotguns. Picked out a Beretta o/u and filled out the paperwork and then the salesman got onto the phone. I noticed that the computer the guy used 2 weeks prior when I bought my pistol was no longer at the counter. It took almost an hour with him on the phone to be approved. I didn't ask any questions as they were other customers waiting to talk to him to get info on other guns.

I thought it was a little strange...

[trad"Doc"53]

I use to help out at a gun store and I nor did the folks that owned the place ever know a reason for this. Lots of times they would call back in 10 or 15 minutes with a proceed or it may be 1 day or so. One gentleman got a delay every time and his paperwork was run without his SS# and it blew through with a proceed with no problems, go figure!

[WyoHunter]

It's the luck of the draw. Sometimes it's instantly and other times you never know. There is no number you can call. When I call in a background check there's three answers you can get: Proceed, Delayed, Denied. If it's delayed you have no choice but to wait until they call back. I have two customers that they have never called me back with an answer and they won't tell you anymore than it's in delayed status. If it's denied than you can't purchase a firearm.

[Swanyriver]

Are you military, LEO or a teacher. These sometimes throw a flag if you have ever been fingerprinted before. I have worked behind a gun counter and there are lots of different scenarios, common name, can sometimes be an error on the paperwork w/ addresses not matching the database until further investigation, sometimes it is just a random and they usually call back w/in 15-20 min. If I remember there is no real way to find out why the delay, only an appeal if you get denied. I agree with the CHL, that is the reason I got mine 11 years ago so I could just walk in somewhere and buy what I wanted that day and not wait 5 days and drive all the way back.

[KHoes203]

What the others have said they tell us nothing when we call it in besides proceed, delay, or denied. If your name is John Smith you and do not give a SS# you are more likely to get a delay. They dont go by on what guns and how many you have bought its a new sale every time.. And they dont know what you are buying besides handgun, long gun, or other. This is just what I have seen happen over the past 3 years no facts here.

[outlaw38]

1-877-444-NICS(6427) they will tell you why.

[TX Doc]

A lot of the time it just depends on how busy the call center is and if they are backed up. If you have a really common name that can sometimes cause problems too.

[BigL]

Bass Pro called me today 30 min after they opened saying that i've been approved and I could come anytime to get it. I was only going to buy because until the 18th you get an instant rebate, $25 for a 870 more if you spend more, $30 mail in rebate from the manufactor, and I have $50 in BPS gift cards and $33 in rewards points. Price + tax - the above rebate/reward pts/gift cards an 870 would have cost me around $175.

I was in SA anyway when I stopped by BPS for my impulse buy. Now I don't think it's worth it to drive 2 hrs away to buy the gun and 2 hrs back home. For that I'll just buy at ****'s or Academy in Austin and use my gift cards and rewards points for something else.

As for the finger printing that could be it. Both my jobs after college have required finger printing and FBI background checks. One was at United Space Alliance (NASA contractor) and the other is at Charles Schwab (financial systems). But doesn't make since that a long gun gets delayed and a handgun walks right out.

[timbobowhunter]

If u dont put your social security #, which is optional, it can delay you, to distinguish between same names as yours, that may have a criminal history.

[Mike D]

With a CHL you will never be delayed.

[BigL]

If u dont put your social security #, which is optional, it can delay you, to distinguish between same names as yours, that may have a criminal history.

I put a my SSN on the form.

With a CHL you will never be delayed.

Pretty much the only reason for getting a CHL in my opinion. Maybe to legally carry during bow season as a 2nd reason but I probably wouldn't carry where I currently hunt during bow only season even if I could. Maybe in S. TX but not in Burnet. Other than that, I don't see a lot of reasons for paying for something that I wouldn't use. I can't carry at work and my truck has been broken into 4x so I'm not leaving one in there either.


In the end this one actually benefits me. I told Nicole that I was thinking about driving down there tomorrow after work to pick it up and she said just buy it locally. I'll give you the money you would have saved. So now out of my "play" money I still get to buy the gun and still have $83 in BPS credit to spend!

[BigL]

1-877-444-NICS(6427) they will tell you why.

They wouldn't tell me today. They said it could have been anything including a server that was too busy and to catch up it just delays everything.

They are sending me paperwork that will let me be pre-approved and not have to worry about this in the future. Same as CHL and free...

[WCB]

I always get a 3 day wait. Doesn't matter if I'm buying a long gun or pistol... Minor skirmish when I was young...
Now I have my CHL so buying is easy and anytime I think I need to carry I can legally.
Haven't had my truck broke into and keep gun in a lock box under seat while at work. Otherwise it's on me or in gun safe/under mattress...