Is A NICS Check Really This Arbitrary?

[HankB]

It's simply easier for Big Brother to keep tabs on the law-abiding - catching bad guys is too much like honest work.

Safer, too.

[johnson0317]

It's funny because it's true!

Sadly.

[michael e]

The check is a joke, but the whole government is. I have an issue with my name, a few people have it and they are in prison. I have been approved in a few mins, delayed and denied. When I went to renew my DL a few months ago they told me I was wanted in a couple of states I have never been to. So I asked if there was a issue with my CHL, they said no it is fine. Asked the lady how is it the DPS gives me the go ahead to carry a firearm but not drive, she had no answer.

[knljr]

yes, you'd think this unique identifier called a DL number and/or SS number would be able to get around the common name issue. I'm a "Jr" and years ago had my Dad's entire credit history merged into mine and didn't find out until I was deep in the process of buying a house.

But, I think my question got answered in that a check is good for 30 days, which is why I was delayed the first time but approved quickly the second. I don't know what the NICS people can see - but perhaps they can tell that I had just gone through the process a week earlier and that made it an easy approval for them.

Who knows...

I finished my CHL training on Thursday, getting printed on Monday and my packet should be in the mail shortly after. Hopefully I'll have my license by the end of the year and won't have to worry about that anymore...

[PappaGun]

I was watching NBC last night (one of those crime story shows-can't remember the name right now) about a woman in Albuquerque who murdered her husband. At some point before the murder she tried to buy a gun but was turned by the NICS check. She had a 10 year old charge writing a bad check and was denied. I was surprised that this caused a denial.

So a friend loaned her a gun she ended up using to kill her husband.

There's plenty of ways to get a gun.

[knljr]

yup...the old adage..."people kill people...guns don't kill people...".

I wonder what the REAL stats are on people who wanted to commit a crime, went to buy a gun, were turned down and then changed their mind. It's probably some infintesimal number - maybe a fraction of a percent. As you said, if someone wants a gun then they'll find a way. The Columbine kids are a perfect example...not even old enough to buy so they got a friend to go...