Silly Virginia Background Checks & Poor Process

[rlbellco72]

The longest I have ever had to wait was 6 hours back in March of 2011. Since then it has been almost immediate and I have a common name and a seciurity clearance. I know it can be frustrating but hang in there. I have a friend of mine that bought a shotgun on Sunday and he is still waiting for approval.

[skeeterss0]

I was wondering, how many of you supply your SSN on the form? I always have, even tho my name is uncommon I figure it may help expidite.

[jrswanson1]

The first time I used my CCW to purchase a firearm (AR lower) it took a couple of hours. Before and after that, I had no delays.

[GeneFrenkle]

I always have put my ssn on the form. The only delay I've ever received was due to the shop being put on hold. The whole call took about 15-20 minutes. I knew what was going on because the proprietor was calling it in right in front of me and I was the only one in the shop with him and one of his employees.

[wolfhfac]

I had only put my SSN on the form once. After that I have not put my SSN on any forms. I would not put my SSN on any documents unless it was absolutely needed.

[Snakester]

My wife and I purchased 12 firearms in 2012 . We never put our SS# on any form ...always used our VDL#. We always use VDL and a Voter Card for a 2nd ID. Never use our CCP for any firearm purchase. We bought at Green Top , Dances , Bass Pro , Bob's , Dicks Sporting Goods and Walmart. Never had to wait , always seemed to be almost instantly approved . 2 purchase's in late December ! I think VA needs a better system for Buyers who make more than 1 firearm each year.

[Glockem]

I gave my SSN as well to make it easier on them. Today was 1 week so far stuck "In Research". I talked to the VA State Police today, and they were very nice. But the actual status after speaking with them this evening, is that my application is on the bottom of the very tall backlogged pile and frankly they have not gotten to it yet because there is a huge stack of "In Research" status applications. They also said they have no estimate on when they will get to it, or when it may be completed. Oh well, I guess I should have purchased my pistol in another state.

[cwfunrider]

I have had 20 minutes to 4 days in getting approved. The last one in late December, after the "shtf" took 3 days. I have a common name and have just learned to accept the delay, though not pleased about it. I provide my SS number every time too and have a CHP.

If there are alot of shows going on delays can really stack up since there is only one office in VA running checks for the whole state.

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[allingeneral]

Oh well, I guess I should have purchased my pistol in another state.

As I understand it - even if you purchased the pistol in another state, it would have to be transferred to an FFL in Virginia, and you would have had a VSP background check performed anyway.

[Glockem]

Oh well, I guess I should have purchased my pistol in another state.

As I understand it - even if you purchased the pistol in another state, it would have to be transferred to an FFL in Virginia, and you would have had a VSP background check performed anyway.

Interesting, didn't realize that.

[meadmkr]

SSN doesn't seem to help, FBI UPIN doesn't help..... VA State Police system doesn't even accept the UPIN (at last check) and still get constant delays thanks to some bozo down in the Richmond area with the same name and similar DOB.

[mtbinva]

I waited a month. It was worth the wait. I simply accepted what it was, and realized the amount if gun transfers increased almost 90% in a very short timeframe.

Not excusing it, but at least understand it. The VSP already operates on a shoestring budget, so the wait times are just worse. Imagine being the guy or girl have to do the research? Sucks to be them right now.

[Glockem]

Well tonight makes 2 weeks "In Research" and no change, and they still have not touched my application. I hope that they can get it done before the Dulles Gun Show starts this Friday, otherwise I assume my application will become more delayed with that tremendous volume of background checks that will occur between Friday-Sunday at the Dulles gun show.

At this point I have given up worrying about it anymore, and I assume some day I will receive a random phone call from my dealer that says it was finally approved, but until then.........

[Domino]

I have done some work at the FBI NICS facility in Clarksburg, WVa and was always told they had a 48 hour maximum response time by law. Why does VA exceed that limit?

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[mtbinva]

Two modes of thought here; one, if you keep bugging them they’ll just delay you longer because they can. I’m not saying its right, but it is what it is; which brings me to the second point…

I originally was for the background check to purchase a gun. However the realities of mandatory checks and checks to purchase at a gun show is complete fantasy. I mean, you’re buying a gun, the fact you went through the process of the paper work tells me you’re probably a law abiding citizen, because if you weren’t, you wouldn’t be here and you certainly wouldn’t have gone (still going) through all of this. The point? it’s an abomination of a system that takes 2-3 weeks to go through a check for some folks. And the VASP have NO right to say backlog. I call BS on it. Put 2 more people on it. I think they’re doing this on purpose.

How can you want more checks when the current system is in shambles? For those like you and me, 2-3-4 weeks is the best we can hope for? For no apparent reason? My LGS told me that’s this is the norm for the folks “In Research”. It sucks, I know, but what other option is there? Makes you wonder if the NICS system of the VASP are not the largest contributors of straw purchases simply because 2-3-4 weeks is an unreasonable amount of time. Just my $0.02.

There is a gun show this weekend in Chantilly, VA, good luck getting a gun now… for those looking to buy, for some, could take a while.

I know your frustrated, hang in there. I was too.

Just my $0.02

[scott9050]

I was wondering, how many of you supply your SSN on the form? I always have, even tho my name is uncommon I figure it may help expidite.

I always do.

[Reverenddel]

I made comment once about perhaps having the VSP use volunteers, but one of their's made an ID and spent the better part of the discussion calling me "stupid", and "unworthy" in no uncertain terms

Because "Regular people cannot understand a criminal record".

Sometimes the arrogance of guv'mint employees is almost laughable. As if NO ONE can be trained, and DO a job!

However if they DID this? Perhaps the wait times wouldn't be so gadamma long. Maybe we should write our legislator about allowing the VSP to use volunteers for background checks for firearms to facilitate shorter wait times... Anyone?

[manisbad]

This is where the old saying "your past will always come back to haunt you" comes into play. The problem here is when people get arrested for something and the courts don't update the criminal history then the Virginia Sate Police firearms unit has to do the research and then do the courts job. I would suggest having the courts do their job so the VSP doesn't have to do both jobs.

[Glockem]

Two modes of thought here; one, if you keep bugging them they’ll just delay you longer because they can. I’m not saying its right, but it is what it is; which brings me to the second point…

Just to be clear, I have called them probably 53 times in the last week, and they have only answered the phone 2 times. Their phone is either constantly busy or it just keeps ringing until some automated voice comes on and says "the party you are trying to reach is unavailable, goodbye". However, both times they did answer, I just gave them my Application number, and they tell me "In Research" and that they have not touched it yet. I respond 'thanks for checking for me" and I say bye. Not much else I can say. I can only imagine that there is 1 person working this office and one person covering the phone. I feel for these workers.

[DryBones]

perhaps they are so busy processing the easy ones that the In Research ones are just sitting in a backlogged file being completely ignored? I know I had no problems today picking up a new pistol. Bought online and had shipped to my local FFL. In and out of the shop in I bet no more that 15-20 minutes total. Now to find some ammo and range time! Anybody got some .22LR just laying around?