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Firearms Q&As

Quick Links to Firearms Q&A Category Pages

If you currently have a Federal Firearms License

If you do not have a Federal Firearms License

Imports (non-licensees)

NFA (non-licensees)

Other topics

National Firearms Act (NFA)

Are muzzleloading cannons considered destructive devices?

National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS)

Who must comply with the requirements to conduct a NICS background check prior to transferring a firearm?

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

What should a licensed pawnbroker do when NICS denies the redemption of a pawned firearm?

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

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?

What happens if a transferee successfully appeals a NICS denial but more than 30 calendar days have elapsed since the initial background check was initiated?

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

Must licensees keep ATF Forms 4473 if the firearm transfer is denied or, for some other reason, not completed?

Must licensees enroll with the FBI to get access to NICS?

Must licensees conduct a NICS background check for the sale of firearms to nonlicensees at gun shows?

Must licensed collectors conduct a NICS background check prior to transferring a curio or relic firearm?

Must a licensee conduct a NICS background check for the transfer of firearms to another licensee?

Must a licensee always wait 3 business days before transferring a firearm after receiving a “delayed” response?

Is there a charge for NICS checks?

Is the redemption of a pawned firearm subject to a NICS background check?

Is a NICS background check required for the transfer of long guns as well as handguns?

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

Is a NICS background check required for a licensee’s loan or rental of a firearm to a nonlicensee?

If the state is acting as a POC, does that mean that all NICS checks go through the POC rather than the FBI?

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?