Firearm background checks are a critical aspect of the firearm transfer and sales process for ensuring compliance with state and federal laws. These systems aren’t just regulatory requirements but are foundational to public safety, preventing firearms from being sold to ineligible individuals. All licensed dealers must conduct thorough checks through the National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS), a law enforcement agency that verifies if a potential buyer has any unresolved criminal cases, restraining orders, or other additional information that disqualifies them from the possession of firearms.
Why Automate Background Checks?
For each firearm dealer, the implementation of an efficient and reliable background check system reinforces the integrity of their business. It ensures that all transactions are conducted according to the law. These processes also minimize the risk of legal liabilities and penalties that can arise from non-compliance.
Firearm Eligibility Criteria
To ensure public safety and legal compliance, the criteria for purchasing a firearm are detailed and strictly enforced by the United States federal government. Prospective buyers must pass a background check that screens for several disqualifying factors:
- Criminal History Record: No felony convictions or criminal convictions for domestic violence.
- Restraining Orders: No restraining orders related to threats or acts of violence.
- Mental Health Records: Not declared mentally unfit or having a record of being committed to a mental institution.
- Military Service: Not dishonorably discharged from the Armed Forces.
- Substance Use: No history of being an unlawful user or addicted to controlled substances.
Specific states may have additional requirements such as waiting periods, the completion of safety training courses, or further checks against state databases. These checks are in place to act as an eligibility check, making sure individuals who purchase firearms are legally and responsibly capable of ownership.
FastBound’s Role in Simplifying Background Checks
Make background checks less complicated, less time-consuming, and less error-prone with FastBound. By automating state background checks for licensed firearm dealers, we increase efficiency and enhance accuracy, reducing the likelihood of errors that could occur with manual data entry.
Accurate data entry is a crucial part of ensuring firearms don’t end up in the hands of criminals. Additionally, paying employees to hand-type information into background check systems is time-consuming and costly. Our software ensures that all background checks are conducted thoroughly and records are maintained, allowing you to focus more on customer service and less on navigating the complexities of legal compliance.
Automating Each State’s Firearm Eligibility Check
FastBound automates the entry of firearms and the buyer’s personal information, where applicable, into NICS and state systems. We make it easier for dealers to conduct necessary checks without juggling multiple systems.
- California DROS (Dealer Record of Sale) Entry System (DES)
- Colorado CBI InstaCheck
- Pennsylvania Instant Check System (PICS)
- Tennessee Instant Check System (TICS)
- Washington SAFE System
- Florida FDLE (Florida Department of Law Enforcement)
- Utah BCI (Bureau of Criminal Identification)
We are always maintaining NICS and adding state background check websites to this list. If you don’t see your state listed above, click the chat button in the bottom right and ask us! Our design allows us to adapt to website changes in minutes.
These integrations help each licensed firearm dealer meet compliance standards, ensuring a high level of diligence is maintained in the firearms industry. FastBound simplifies and automates the firearm background check process, ensuring dealers can focus on their core business activities with confidence in their compliance.
