"instant" What a joke.

[Russell642]

I purchased a handgun today (Saturday Feb. !8) from a local dealer. I filled out all the required paper work and the dealer submitted the background check request and then waited. About two minutes later the dealer told me it was being delayed. I saId "how long?" He said it could be as long as four days FOUR DAYS!?? The dealer pointed to a stack of guns on the floor behind the counter that were awaiting approval. I counted twelve. This is ridiculous. I left the store thinking I should have just driven down to Norfolk and bought one from a private seller at the gun show there today, but I decIded it was a waste of gas. Is this process still known as an "Instant" background check? Instant.....that's ludicrous. If this is going to be the norm then it's time to get rid of the background check altogether. I urge everyone to write or e-mail their representatives in Richmond and let them know that this is unacceptable.

[meak99]

I feel your pain. Some folks do get approved instantly, but not many. Mine get progressively longer, with the most recent being 3+ days and the FFL just giving it to me once he was allowed. Unless you know the FFL, though, they aren't likely to give it to you without the approval, even after 3 days of being delayed. There's nothing instant about the VSP checks anymore. We need to get some legislation through that gets us to the Fed check only.

[Everett113]

I to ran into that today. I bought a Marlin bolt action in 308 from a local gun store. Filled out the paper work, waited 5minutes, and was delayed. He to had a stack of paper work, some were from Wednesday. That is becoming the norm here in VA. I feel sorry for the dealers at the Norfolk show this weekend. You know, you drive an hour an half to go to the gun show. You check out some tables and find something you want. You fill out the paper work and you get delayed. The seller will be gone sunday evening and you might have to make a second trip to the show to get your firearm. The last show I worked near by, the vendors were complaining about loosing half of there sells due to delayed background checks. They want to up the fees for the checks, but they continue to reduce staffing. They say there are record sales going on each month. If that is the case they should have a surpluse in revenue. It is political at best I'm sure. worst of all is who do you complain to? Law enforcement. Yeah right. Most departments would prefer common citizens relied on them then be able to defend themselves. The VCDL is working on improving some of the problems, hopefully we will win. the one handgun a month may be a thing of the past soon. Power to the people...

[Diomed]

If this is going to be the norm then it's time to get rid of the background check altogether. I urge everyone to write or e-mail their representatives in Richmond and let them know that this is unacceptable.

The background check can be eliminated only for CHP holders; however, the legislature has shown no interest in doing so. It's too late to do anything about it this year, as the bills to fix the problem have all died.

[drewlwsn]

What causes a delay? I had mine approved in less than ten minutes on Friday.

[ Post made via Mobile Device ]

[sigster]

I'm always delayed at least 2 days and most of the time 3-4. My dad takes about 5 minutes even on a busy gun show weekend. I guess once delayed, always delayed.
I don't really mind the wait that much, just glad I can get em when I can. It does eliminate a lot of gun show buys from non local dealers.

[totes6]

Throw on your hats, but a thought I had.
Is this perhaps a way to kill off gun shows here in Virginia? If your average gun show only lasts 2 and half days. (Friday evening through Sunday) By "holding" a background check for 3+ days that basically kills the sale, unless both the individual and FFL holder are in the same region.

[Kreutz]

I am the only person in this country with my first and last name, I usually get approved in less then 10 seconds.

If your name is "John Smith"...i pity ya.

[Radiac]

Throw on your hats, but a thought I had.
Is this perhaps a way to kill off gun shows here in Virginia? If your average gun show only lasts 2 and half days. (Friday evening through Sunday) By "holding" a background check for 3+ days that basically kills the sale, unless both the individual and FFL holder are in the same region.

Yeah, I've had the same thought too.

[Sensai]

The Virginia system is purely political. It's underfunded by design and understaffed on purpose. It's time to either modify it to take into concideration previous checks (performed within a reasonably recent timeframe), or do away with it entirely. The only requirement for a Virginia background check is to meet Virginia's own requirements. A fine example of circular logic! The last time I checked, Virginia was still under the U.S. Constitution, and a waiting period IS an infringement. Sometimes I begin to think that Mr. Jefferson had a point.

[meadmkr]

I get constant delays thanks to some yayhoo down in southern VA with the same name and close birthday (different year)

I tried writing our reps/etc but all I get is the same old form response. Lack of accountability is the #1 problem with most governments these days

[Xaviar13]

I've got a common name and get delayed with each and every purchase. I just factor it in when thinking about a new gun and now buy a lot more from gunbroker than my local stores. I found a very convienent ffl to my work and make plans to go twice. Once to do the paperwork and back again to pick up the gun. If I want the gun on a certain date I just back up enough time to wait the 4 business days at the FFL. Recently I've been getting approved on the 4th day.

I've had several FFLs tell me that the background check for purchases at a gun shows get priority over all other delayed purchases. I've experienced this first hand at the Chantilly show and my wait is usually a couple of hours rather than days. I also buy first thing in the morning on Saturday to allow for time for my delayed check to get resolved. I've never had to go back to the Chantilly show on Sunday to get a purchase. But I've heard and seen lots of folks having to do that. That would suck.

I'd say the background check delay is equally problematic for real brick and mortar gun stores. I would love to buy from one of the local stores but I'm not going to drive the 45 minutes out to a store to buy something, then see if they have what I'm looking for in stock, decide to buy it, get my background check delayed and then have to drive back the next weekend to pick the gun up. Its much easier for me to use gunbroker and the much closer ffl rather than the full gun shop.

I agree its time for something to change with the background checks. The background check fee is supposed to fund the system. If the system is overloaded there should be additional money to fund additional capacity and employees. So where is the issue? Is the fee not sufficient to fund enough capacity or is the fee being diverted for other uses?

[ChicagoGuy]

I'm always delayed at least 2 days and most of the time 3-4. My dad takes about 5 minutes even on a busy gun show weekend. I guess once delayed, always delayed

Read more: http://vagunforum.net/general-discussio ... z1n2nNSLGs

I've been told and it seems to hold true. That if your a "slow" approval or a "delayed" approval you will almost always be one. Your only hope is to perhaps address it with the state police. But understand there are usually several factors that go into it. 1. how common is your name? 2. do you provide your SS#? (this works in your favor to do so). 3. were you born out of state? 4. do you have misdermeanors in your background. This is not the end all or be all, but these are things I've been told are common.

One of the things I do is shop first and look last. I tend to have an idea of what I want before I go to the show. I've researched prices and know what I feel is a good deal. A few ot the better priced (and bigger) dealers will talk to you before the show arrives. This also helps ensure they have what your looking for onhand if you struck a good deal. Another thing to consider is this. Knowing your a "slow" or delayed" approval. Complete your paperwork at your local dealer and leave. The approval is good for 30 days. Return at your leisure.

I'm sure this doesn't solve anyone's issue with the system. However, for me. Doing away with checks all together as someone suggested is crazy IMO. Hell it could be worse. We could be in NYC or DC right?

[Russell642]

It was me, in my initial post who suggested that the background check should be eliminated. After I calmed down and got over the frustration of a four day wait, I realized what an idiotic and dangerous proposition that would be. I should have waited 24 hours before I posted that knee jerk tirade. Of course the background check is needed. I just wish there was a better way to conduct it.

[Diomed]

After I calmed down and got over the frustration of a four day wait, I realized what an idiotic and dangerous proposition that would be.

Why? There were no background checks until twenty years ago. The world didn't come to an end, obviously.

There's no background check to buy a car or a gallon of gasoline. Why should guns be any different?

[ChicagoGuy]

After I calmed down and got over the frustration of a four day wait, I realized what an idiotic and dangerous proposition that would be.
Why? There were no background checks until twenty years ago. The world didn't come to an end, obviously.

There's no background check to buy a car or a gallon of gasoline. Why should guns be any different?


....................sure you just????

[9mm4me]

I have a CHP and live in a county that requires you to be fingerprinted in addition to having the background check. I still get delayed every time. It used to be a couple of hours and now most recently 4 days. The elimination of the one hand gun per month is great, but if it means an increase in sales then the backups/delay could potentially get longer. Virginia is one of the few if not the only state that has its own system in additon to the Federial system. It has been proposed to eliminate the VA system and only use the federal system as other states do, but it hasn't gotten anywhere.

It is frustrating as the OP stated, and precludes me and others from taking advantage of a good price at a show, unless you're willing to make a trip to an out of town dealer after the show.

[VaEagle]

I don't know if it's getting worse but I've been on a background check 'delay' for 7 days, since the 17th for a frigen long gun. Granted the last time I made a purchase was about 10 years ago for a 1911 but I got cleared in about 15min at a gun show.

This BS has got to cease.
Ya ever get that feeling that your the criminal for following the law

[VBshooter]

Just great having to literally get permission to buy a gun ain't it??? System could stand some fixin!

[ChicagoGuy]

Just great having to literally get permission to buy a gun ain't it??? System could stand some fixin!

I'm not gonna kid myself and suggest criminals can't and don't get guns faster on the street. However, just think if there were NO CHECKS or "permission." After robbing the corner store, that same criminal with a pocket full of someones money. Now he/she (yes she robs too) stops at the local gun shop cause it's christmas and picks up some "NEW AND IMPROVED" tools of the trade????? Now spin it even further forward........you've got your concealed weapon only to find yourself SERIOUSLY out gunned cause his/their (larger weapons) are not to concealed. Just where would it end.

I'm not suggesting the system can't stand some fixin,' but having no system if foolish at best.