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All Q&As by Category

National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS)

If an individual repeatedly pawns the same firearm, is the FFL required to do a NICS background check each time the firearm is redeemed?

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

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?

How may a licensee participate in the raffling of firearms by an unlicensed organization?

How long is a NICS check valid?

How does a licensee know whether to contact the FBI or a POC in order to initiate a NICS check?

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

Does an officer or employee of an entity that holds a federal firearms license, such as a corporation, have to undergo a NICS check when acquiring a firearm for their own personal collection?

Does a permit qualify as an alternative to a NICS check if the purchaser is using it to buy a type of firearm that is not covered by the permit?

Does a licensee conducting a NICS check have to comply with state waiting periods before transferring a firearm?

Do all NICS checks go through the FBI’s NICS Operations Center?

Can one NICS check be used for more than one firearms transaction?

ATF has recognized the concealed weapons permits in State A and State B as valid alternatives to a NICS check. Can a resident of State A use a concealed weapons permit issued by State A to purchase a long gun in State B without undergoing a NICS check?

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

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

Are NICS checks conducted by ATF?

Is a NICS background check required for the transfer of antique firearms?

NFA (non-licensees)

What is the status of my NFA application form?

Is a shotgun a firearm subject to the NFA?

Is a rifle a firearm subject to the NFA?

I have a NFA firearm and I’m moving. What do I do?

How old to I have to be to make or own an NFA firearm?

How do I obtain an NFA firearm?

How can I make and register an NFA firearm?

Can I lawfully make a rifle into a pistol without registering that firearm?