A friend bought a shotgun for trap last week and was delayed, not denied but delayed. On Tuesday, he bought an AK-74 only to be delayed yet again. These two incidents were the first (and second) time he’s been delayed. About a year ago he bought a Beretta 96 with no issues.
Between his purchase of the 96 and his shotgun, he did get an OUI.
Why would he be delayed twice within a week? (Two different FFLs, BTW.) What would cause a delay?
What’s an OUI?
All kinds of things can cause a delay. Someone with a similar last name and date of birth could be sitting in jail somewhere and they just need to make sure it’s not him.
Usually not a big deal.
If its delayed and he doesnt get a responce within a few days the FFL can legally proceed wit the transfer…
Common name or Government clearance is the big ones for us at my friends shop. And once in awhile just bad people 
About 5 years ago I was delayed twice in one year. Hasn’t happened since! Guess there was some scumbag with the same name somewhere. I think you can get your own personal ID number if this continues to happen.
Yup UPIN (there’s a box for it on the 4473)
A little more info on my friend.
OUI = Operating Under the Influence
He foolishly mixed RX meds and alcohol. (Yeah, I know :rolleyes: )
He served in the Navy for four years and had “Top Secret” clearance.
For about two years he worked outside the US with a military contractor (read: glorified security guard.)
He was pretty fresh off the plane when he bought his Beretta 96.
In February, he was officially out of the Navy.
Both times he filled out the paperwork, he supplied his social security number.
As stated, it could be a common name or some other flag popping up in the system. SS #'s do not stop delays but will help speed up the ‘proceed’
If you friend wants to fix this for future purchases, the ffl can provide him a resolution form to fill out.
My last purchase was delayed the max amount of time, 14 days, dealer told me could be a name issue, and they randomly put people into “research”. He said you can call to ask why though I never called :o
Wouldn’t supplying a SS# eliminate any confusion with another person?
If he got tossed into the Research pile twice in a matter of a week or so, he’s got crappy luck.
He’s irked not so much that he was delayed, but delayed TWICE within such a short time. I can understand. It makes me nercous about buying from an FFL or a gunshow that’s not so close to home. I know some of what goes on behind the scenes with NICS since I hang out at a lot of gunshops but thought it better to ask the collective.
Thanks for all the info. 
Same thing happened to me last week, FFL dealer said they were prob just busy, he called me up the next AM and it was gtg,so who knows?
As I understand it, an immediate “proceed” basically requires zero hits of any kind in the system. Anything in there on their long list of databases that are checked results in a “delay” while somebody manually checks to see what the hit was and whether it’s a DQ.
My quasi-educated theory, based on a number of pieces of information and many anecdotes, is that if there is anything in there, even an old arrest with no conviction and even if it’s for something that wouldn’t be a DQ if you were convicted, you’re still a “hit” in the system and they have to go see what it was and what the disposition was. Same thing if you’re in the “system” for security clearances, etc., as you probably have an FBI# and prints on file, etc. from that.
In other words, the computer is not that smart. It only knows whether you’re in there, in general categorical terms. Somebody has to check on why and then respond. So, your buddy may have been flagged for the OUI even though it’s not a DQ, or for being in there from his security clearance, or both.
SS won’t stop the flags leading to an immediate delay but helps in the research.
Odds are it will happen again…and again, he can ask for the resolution form to get it fixed.
It used to happen to me as well. Then I got my AZ CCW and now I am good. My delay was usually around 24 hours or less.
SSNs do not speed up the process. They do in some cases cause more problems. I don’t know why they cause further delays but they do. I have worked part time and full time (years ago) at a large privately owned gunshop for about 12 years. We have an employee that is a 32 year veteran of the Norfolk PD, and he has gotten delayed for years. Last year we ran his paperwork without using his SSN, and guess what. He received an immediate approval. He has not had an immediate approval in the history of the modern check system. He now no longer puts his SSN on the forms and receives immediate approvals. We have done this with several of our regular customers that have histories of being delayed. Most are now immediate or much quicker approvals. UPINs in VA do not help the process. They are put on the 4473, and never entered into the computer based background check. You can however call the SP and do a phone transaction with the UPIN. It then helps a little.
I get delayed every single time. Never shorter than 2 hours delay often longer. Going on 17 years now. I’m going to leave off the SSN next time and see. Can’t be any worse.
I told him to try leaving off his SSN next time to see if it makes a difference. I’ve heard a number of stories of police getting delayed and even a minister. Seems a bit 
I’ve only used my SSN a few times but don’t anymore and I knocks on wood have never been delayed.
It ain’t perfect, but it’s the system we have and it’s a hell of a lot better than waiting periods.
I’ll pass this info along to him.
I noticed that some guys who should never have gotten delayed would get delayed.
Turned out they had some security clearances and that was tripping the system.
A buddy that works at a local shop says that if your prints are on file be it for a good or bad reason it’s almost always a delay.
Increased workload, increased delays -or- Decreased staffing, increased delays.
Now, at McDonald’s you can see the line and anticipate delays accordingly…
This is the bottom line more often then not. Of course, some of them are because they think you might be a dirtbag.
[rant]This has been happening more and more, perhaps by design, and as the delays continue and become more frequent, you’re going to have to consider the NICS ‘infringement’.[/rant]