Posted: 3/28/2010 2:31:05 PM EDT
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...from the latest VCDL alert: Gun dealers are hurting because of horribly slow background checks For those who have tried to buy a gun lately, especially in the afternoon on a weekend, you know that background check turnaround times can be from 4 hours to DAYS. One person emailed me today to say he waited one WEEK!! That is killing some gun dealers who are losing sales left and right. At a recent gun show, Dark Sun told me they lost 50% of their customers that day because the background checks were taking overnight. :-( That is NOT acceptable. So what is the problem? The Virginia State Police have lost TWELVE people who perform those background checks and they are NOT replacing them. Where is that $2 fee per background check going? Why, during RECORD firearms sales, is there no money for MORE employees, much less not enough to replace those who have left? Folks, this doesn't smell right and we plan on investigating. We cannot afford to have our dealers weakened by artificially sagging sales and purchasers unreasonably inconvenienced. Small businesses are the life-blood of this country and the government should not be interfering with their profitability like this (not to mention the loss of much needed tax revenue due to these lower sales). Also, it is a safety issue as a person experiencing a death threat and who is denied a lawful gun purchase overnight would be left helpless at the hands of an assailant. Oh, and the group doing those "lie-ins" best not get up off the ground until at least FOUR HOURS have passed. Three minutes is not even close to the truth. In the meantime, Virginia gun dealers need to send me a SHORT email documenting their experiences with background checks over the last six months. If you know any firearms dealers, get the word to them ASAP. |
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I just had a transfer done by Mike @ "the Trophy Room" in Old Town, and after I filled out my form (and then fixed my mistakes on my form) the approval took about 10 minutes. I paid and left with my new gun.
Could it be that mine was quick because I have a permit to CCH? -Brett |
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I think its been longer then a month. The last year or two it has taken me from 10 min to a day and half to get approved. I think I bought my first handgun about six years ago and it took me less then 10 min to get it after doing my paper work.
I just bought a rifle from Ashby Arms and it took me a day to get my paper work to go through. I felt bad and I did tell them when doing the paper work it will take a few hours. I have been told there are three guys in the area me and two others with the same first and last name and one has a record and one is in Law Enforcement and that could be the hang up for me. I have also been told to get some other kind of license and my paper work will go right through but I don't feel like I should have to pay more every few years to buy a gun. This is a big issue for me and one that makes it to where I don't go to gun shows. |
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In 2009, almost 300,000 NICS background checks were processed.
FBI NICS Stats by state That's $600,000 to the state directly funded by these. Where I work we use a 40% salary markup to calculate the total cost of an employee. So at a salary of $45,000, that's $63,000 loaded cost per head. Enough to directly fund nearly 10 officers. At 300,000 per year, that's an average of 822 NICS processed per day in Virginia. For 10 officers directly funded, that would be an average of 82 NICS per officer per day (not adjusting for a 5 day work week), or 10 per hour for an 8 hour day. With a little scheduling intelligence for peak demand, this is darned near self-funding (according to my math). My math must be off, since they lost 12 officers who were doing this, so that must have had more than 12 to start with. |
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Here in WV we use FBI NICS. I do most over the computer (e-check). They usually are INSTANT. I hit enter after putting in the info and get a proceed that quick.
I have found if someone has been delayed in the past the e-check will usually result in a delay, so those are best done over the phone. Shame in Virginia the state feels it is needed in the process. This is actually one thing the Feds do a good job at. ETA and it is FREE. |
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Quoted:
Sounds like we need a law like in NC where your CCW is your background check. There you just fill out the forms and the dealer copies down your CCW info and you pay for your gun and go home. This would not burden the state police in the least. I've run around a handfull of checks in the past couple of months, some for myself, and the longest delay was ~5-6 minutes on hold, no delays for the individuals, |
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Quoted:
Here in WV we use FBI NICS. I do most over the computer (e-check). They usually are INSTANT. I hit enter after putting in the info and get a proceed that quick. On Saturday I noticed when running them that it took a lot longer than normal to come back with the NTN, though the result of the check was always quick. Yesterday it was ok, though. We still do the call-ins, though. |
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I am not sure what information to give VCDL regarding background checks.
Some fly right through, some are put on delay and cleared up after a few hours. Our longest delay thus far has been 28 hours, although that looks like it will be shattered. We have 2 individuals who have been delayed since Saturday at the Dale City Show. Some others right after them went through without a hitch. Although with the traffic at this last Dale City Show, all BG checks should have flown through. I think the real test will be at the Nations Gun Show in Chantilly in a couple of weeks. TJ |
Man, this sucks to hear. I always liked buying here in WV, with the NICS checks done here, even PA is nice, and they have a state backround run i think.... If it's taking this long in VA, it would really suck if I was over there just to buy something or have a transfer (Maybe something at Ashby Arms sometime ) and have to wait over night, that would mean me having to come fill out the paper work, and wait till the next weekend to go get the gun, as it's a three hr drive for me, and couldn't be back the next day. I hope they get it fixed. Damn VA, always getting stuff ass backwards
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