Virginia Gun Owners Forum - VGOF

Went to buy a new shotgun today and after 3hrs I'm told my approval is "In Research" which I'm told is worse than "Delayed" anybody deal with this? I'm not originally from VA but this would be my 6th gun purchase since living here, seems a little rediculous that I always have hours to wait each time. I just moved a couple months ago and not sure if that has anything to do with it, but my DL,CHP and Voter status all reflect that. Seems nuts that this is how the check system works in an alleged pro-gun state, my home state of MA is considered anti-gun by many, but approvals there go though in a minute or less almost every time. I just don't get it.

Does VA offer an opt-in to having your info saved for quicker approvals like NICS does? Or is there a way to call and find out exactly what their problem with you is?

There are several possibilities, none of which are likely to have anything to do with you personally.

Your name could be similar to some person of interest, or maybe there was a problem with the VSP's computer database. Or maybe the person that would normally review these kicked-back checks was home sick with the flu.

You can call the VSP and make an inquiry, but my guess is that you will be approved come first of the week.

http://www.vsp.state.va.us/Firearms.shtm#FAQ

This weekend was busy for the SP that do the checks. Lots of folks were delayed. I agree that VA should drop their checks as it is just redundant. The Federal check is actually more in depth. No reason to have 2 IMO. All things considered, VA is an outstanding state when it comes to the 2nd amendment.....

Apparently nics want down, too

http://bangordailynews.com/2012/11/23/b ... obile=true

[ Post made via Mobile Device ]

Hampton gun show is today also

Whether or not you are moved from delayed to research is not affected by how busy the VSP is or whether or not NICS is up or down. Those only affect how LONG you'd be delayed or in research.

If you get put in research often you can get a UPIN from the ATF or FBI (I forget which). While the Unique Personal Identification Number will help avoid being put in research, but using it will ALWAYS delay you.

RocKor wrote:Whether or not you are moved from delayed to research is not affected by how busy the VSP is or whether or not NICS is up or down. Those only affect how LONG you'd be delayed or in research.

If you get put in research often you can get a UPIN from the ATF or FBI (I forget which). While the Unique Personal Identification Number will help avoid being put in research, but using it will ALWAYS delay you.

Unfortunately, the VA State Police do not offer UPINs....

Thanks guys, I'm assuming it's the VA system that's screwing with me, and not NICS. Hopefully it'll go through today. I've got to try to find out at which point I'm having the problem. I'm assuming VSP will be useless for giving me answers, but when I'm delayed every single time, somethings wrong. When I got my permit in 2010 there was an issue with the way VA saw my info, and I had to get my own copy of my criminal history to give to them, I'm not sure if it's the same thing here, but the last couple guns, it seems to progressively get worse each time.

I was at SSG tactical yesterday at 11 and they were packed. I've never seen it that busy, including previous Saturday visits. I'm sure the system is probably overwhelmed.

scrubber3 wrote:Unfortunately, the VA State Police do not offer UPINs....

After some more research, It looks like they do, but If I'm reading it right only when your wrongfully denied.
http://www.vsp.state.va.us/downloads/fi ... _Flyer.pdf

To dovetail into this discussion, I have been "in research" since last Saturday. Any thoughts as to why the long delay? I work in the legal industry, but not an attorney, so I have an understanding of some of the process. My biggest concern is the haphazard way records are inputted or incorrectly submitted.

I think greater care should be done in making sure law abiding citizens should not be punished for the lazy lackadaisical errors of an underpaid overworked clerk.

Any reason for such a long delay?

mtbinva wrote:Any reason for such a long delay?

might have a tiny bit to do with the greatest number of firearms transactions per day since records have been kept.

quite simply the state police are overwhelmed, and are not staffed to deal with the volume they are being asked to process.

In a nutshell, it's all us gun-clinging, right-wing gun nuts that are buying anything with a synthetic stock and high-capacity magazine clip thingy.

Or something

Don't bother with the UPIN as as another poster noted it doesn't help in VA

jdonovan wrote:

mtbinva wrote:Any reason for such a long delay?

might have a tiny bit to do with the greatest number of firearms transactions per day since records have been kept.

quite simply the state police are overwhelmed, and are not staffed to deal with the volume they are being asked to process.

I've been infornmed by the place I;m making a purchase that the due to the massive spike in sales, they cannot keep up with the requests. In fact, if it's delayed or in research, it could take weeks. I'm into two weeks as of this Satureday.

Thanks for the information.

Isn't there something saying after 5 days it can be transferred to you? I'm still working on my 1st cup of coffee, but if memory serves...

GeneFrenkle wrote:Isn't there something saying after 5 days it can be transferred to you? I'm still working on my 1st cup of coffee, but if memory serves...

It is actually 3 days in Virginia. But it is left up to the Local Gun Shop's discretion whether or not to still transfer the gun. They can legally do it, but having talked to several places in NOVA (I have been delayed multiple times ) almost no one will do it, out of fear of potential legal suits incase that firearm ends up at a crime scene or something. They will just wait for the background check to come back eventually.

Thanks totes - I thought there was a time limit. Given the political and enforcement environment over the last few years, I think I can understand why shops might choose to hold onto the items. It's sad that there is such concern for backlash in actually following the law.

GeneFrenkle wrote:Thanks totes - I thought there was a time limit. Given the political and enforcement environment over the last few years, I think I can understand why shops might choose to hold onto the items. It's sad that there is such concern for backlash in actually following the law.

Agreed; follow the law, and then there is fear of backlash. I did ask about the time frame, and the shop indicated that if they pushed that issue in re time, the likely hood of an audit and everything that comes along with that was brought up.

The unofficial conversation was the assertion that the state is doing this on purpose to slow down the sales of firearms. This is merely speculation; however, as I am getting up to speed on the subject, it seems this might be status quo.

Weird, I made a purchase yesterday, took less than 15 minutes from when I picked up the pen. Is there a difference between going through a shop and going through a private FFL?