http://www.nicsezcheckfbi.gov
Brady Act Requirements
In November 1993, the Brady Handgun Violence Prevention Act of 1993 (Brady Act), Public Law 103-159, was signed into law requiring Federal Firearms Licensees (FFLs) to request background checks on prospective firearm transferees. The permanent provisions of the Brady Act, which went into effect on November 30, 1998, required the U.S. Attorney General to establish the National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS) so that any FFL may contact by telephone, or by other electronic means, for information to be supplied immediately as to whether the transfer of a firearm would violate Section 922 (g) or (n) of Title 18, United States Code, or state law.
NICS Operations and the NICS E-Check
Depending upon the level of each state’s participation with the NICS, every FFL is provided access to the NICS via one of the following three ways:
- Through a designated state point of contact (POC) for those states that have chosen to implement and maintain their own Brady NICS Program;
- Through the NICS Section for those states that have declined to serve as a POC for the system (non-POC states); or
- Through the designated state POC for handguns and the NICS Section for long guns.
In the non-POC states, the FFLs contact the NICS Section using a toll-free telephone number to provide the requisite information to a customer service representative who initiates the check on their behalf. However, 28 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Part 25, NICS Regulations, allowed for the development of other electronic means of contact as alternatives in addition to the telephone.
The NICS Section, in a joint effort with the FBI CJIS Division’s Information Technology Management Section, Lockheed Martin Energy Systems, Science Applications International Corporation and an FFL focus group, developed the NICS E-Check. This function enables the FFLs to conduct an unassisted NICS background check for firearm transfers via the Internet. The FFLs, via electronic communication, data enter the prospective firearm transferee’s descriptive information directly into the NICS and initiate the transaction search process.
The NICS E-Check is easy to use once the registration process has been completed. However, to utilize the NICS E-Check capability, certain restrictions apply:
- You must be a registered FFL;
- You must have Internet access; and
- You must use a Web browser with 128-bit encryption technology.
Currently, the NICS E-Check is only available in those states whose FFLs are fully serviced by the NICS Section inclusive of those states whose FFLs contact the NICS Section for long gun transactions only.
Security
Access to the NICS E-Check is restricted through computer software and certification authority, thereby providing secure and restricted access. The NICS E-Check is monitored 24/7 for misuse, etc. In addition, the NICS E-Check denies access to any individual whose identification is not known to the system.
Benefits of Using the NICS E-Check
- A more accurate search facilitated based on the direct entry of descriptive data by the transaction originator, thereby increasing data integrity.
- The ability to retrieve NICS background check results 24/7.
- The ability to retrieve all checks initiated at the NICS Call Centers or via the NICS E-Check.
- The ability to print completed NICS background check search requests.
- Spanish translation.
- Increased usability for the hearing and speech impaired.
- The availability of messages regarding the NICS operational status.
- Enhanced FFL reporting capabilities.
Additional Information
For additional information pertaining to the NICS E-Check or the system’s availability in your state, you may contact the NICS Section via 1-877-444-6427 (select option three) or access the NICS E-Check Web site.
NICS Section Information
Customer Service:
1-877-444-NICS (6427)
NICS Section Information
Facsimile:
1-888-550-6427
Telecommunications Device for the Deaf (TDD):
1-877-NICS-TTY
NICS Web Site:
www.fbi.gov/hq/cjisd/nics/index.htm
NICS E-Check E-mail Address:
echeck@leo.gov
NICS E-Check Web Site:
www.nicsezcheckfbi.gov
[Rev. January 2008]
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