Tuesday, January 22, 2019

Tracking Down a Shutdown NICS Allegation:

From an email received yesterday:
My FFL guy just told me that he got an email today from ATF, stating that in the absence of an LTC, they are only doing NICS checks 8a-5p M-F, and not at all on the weekends.  I asked him if this was because of the shutdown. He said that he didn't know, and the letter didn't say.
We knew data reportingwould be delayed and it's been reported "those processing applications for new FFLs or suppressor transfers haven’t clocked in since last month."  But this information seemingly contradicts the FY 2019 DOJ Contingency Plan, which states:
Excepted personnel also include nearly all federal employees supporting the National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS). 
I've asked my source for a copy of the email letter and have put out a few feelers. Anybody got anything definitive to add?

UPDATE-- This, apparently, is the issue:

[Click to enlarge]





1 comment:

Henry said...

This is a bit tough to parse, but if I understand correctly, the restricted time period is not for NICS background check calls, but "customer service calls" potentially related to checks, but which are not the actual checks themselves...?