Virginia Gun Owners Forum - VGOF

I recently applied for my CHP and the next day I went to pick up an item I ordered from Bud's at the nearest FFL dealer. I wasn't able to pick up my item that day because my status said researching. I thought this was odd because I have a secret clearance with the military and do not have a criminal record. TMK I don't even have any unpaid parking tickets. Do too many people looking at your record raise a flag in the system? I'm hoping this is resolved by Monday but I'm getting a little anxious.

There are a lot of reasons for a delay like that. Sometimes, a case of mistaken identity (you have the same name as someone else), sometimes it's the volume of requests that VSP is working on (gun shows, etc)

I wouldn't worry too much about it...give your FFL a call on Monday and see if you can come get your new piece.

It's hard to say. It could be that your name is similar to someone who would raise a red flag with ATF or the VSP. Being that you're in the military, your Virginia resident status may be in question and now your form is waiting for someone to give a more thorough check.

Hopefully you'll get the green light tomorrow. Is it a hand gun or long gun?.

Thank you for the reassurance.

Handgun.

They must have found out your on VGOF!

But really most of the time you just happen to have the same name as someone else and because it's government run it takes a whole day or two to figure out something so simple.

Jakeiscrazy wrote:But really most of the time you just happen to have the same name as someone else and because it's government run it takes a whole day or two to figure out something so simple.

Jake - it's unfortunate how right you are on this... in some cases.

It really would suck to have a name like "John Smith", how many of them are there? One of them would have to be screwin' up.

What always gets me is the fact I never fill out the papers before four so I almost always have to come back and pick it up the next day...

No doubt that my name rings every bell across federal data bases but have never had an issue...sometimes it depends on the place where you buy the weapon...I've noticed that Dick's seems to take forever meaning 30-60 minutes but I think thats merely because they are so anal and/or idiotic...

Delays have been happening more frequently because of VSP cutbacks. It just means you popped up in one database or another and they have to manually clear it. Usually takes people from anywhere between and hour and a half and overnight.

Now if you're "In Research" that's another ballpark entirely. They need to search into your background to clarify something. Expect a bit of a wait, I've seen people "researched" from anywhere between a week and a month.

RocKor wrote: Now if you're "In Research" that's another ballpark entirely. They need to search into your background to clarify something. Expect a bit of a wait, I've seen people "researched" from anywhere between a week and a month.

For handguns, my understanding is that if the background approval remains unresolved past three business days, the FFL can complete the transfer if so desired.

Chasbo00 wrote:

RocKor wrote: Now if you're "In Research" that's another ballpark entirely. They need to search into your background to clarify something. Expect a bit of a wait, I've seen people "researched" from anywhere between a week and a month.

For handguns, my understanding is that if the background approval remains unresolved past three business days, the FFL can complete the transfer if so desired.

Yes, the FFL has a right to release the gun after 3 days, but if you do it, VSP will kick and scream about you "possibly releasing the gun to a felon." Some shops have a policy to NOT release a firearm without an approval.

I have NEVER had a background check go through quickly. As far as I can tell, there are only two people in the US with a similar name. I do have a very high security clearance, and the FFL I usually use for online purchases told me that it is common for anyone with a clearance to take longer than those without. That never made sense to me, since I've been investigated far more thoroughly than most folks, to include undergoing polygraphs. Why does the government seem particularly suspicious of 2A supporters with clearances? I'm not a conspiracy theorist, but it just seems odd. Anyone have any insight into this?

wpoppert wrote:I have NEVER had a background check go through quickly. As far as I can tell, there are only two people in the US with a similar name. I do have a very high security clearance, and the FFL I usually use for online purchases told me that it is common for anyone with a clearance to take longer than those without. That never made sense to me, since I've been investigated far more thoroughly than most folks, to include undergoing polygraphs. Why does the government seem particularly suspicious of 2A supporters with clearances? I'm not a conspiracy theorist, but it just seems odd. Anyone have any insight into this?

Here is the story I got from more than one person, but I can't vouch for its veracity. At least it's a rational and plausible explanation... If you have a clearance, you have fingerprints on file with the feds. The fact that you have been fingerprinted by the feds pops up on the VA state police computer screens. If they don't check why immediately (and see the reason was for security clearance purposes) you get delayed.

I guess I was worried over nothing. I was out of town over the weekend and was able to pick up my purchase on Monday.