Regarding NICS, is there any way to find out....

[newTexan]

Hey,

Had a rather unique experience earlier this week. I had needed a background check at work, strictly routine, but was called in to explain some charges on my record! After some examination, it turns out there's another person out there with my name from my hometown close to my age and he's apparently not a very nice, law-abiding person. To be fair, my name is pretty common. Anyway, the background check they did at work couldn't tell us apart very well.

This little mix up has me concerned a bit about what might show up on a NICS check. I know that as a CHL holder they don't run it, but I'm wondering if this mix-up has spread that far. Is there any way to see what would come back on a NICS check without actually going out a buying a gun (without using the CHL)? I'm not really in the market right now, so it's not a huge deal, but I'd like to know. I'd probably die of embarrassment (or have a red tape rage induced heart attack) if I got denied on a purchase because of some person of poor character with my name.

Any advice or guidance?

Thanks!

[seamusTX]

FFLs are supposed to run a NICS check only on a bona fide purchase or getting a firearm out of pawn. The only way that I can think of is to buy or pawn something and not show your CHL.

Pawnbrokers charge something like 5% per month on the amount that they lend you. If you pawn a cheap beater weapon and redeem it a few weeks later, you might be out only $10 or so.

I have a gut feeling that NICS has better data than some of the commercial databases, but I can't prove it.

- Jim

[ELB]

One of the reasons the Form 4473 asks for your SSAN is to help differentiate between same/similar names. As I recall, it says providing it is not mandatory, but helps in preventing erroneous IDs. As long as this clown hasn't also taken to using your SSAN for stuff, you're probably OK for gun purchases. Good luck.

[Kevinf2349]

Could you not just ask the FFL to run the check when you buy a firearm anyway? I don't know why it would be an issue for them to do that...of course you would end up with another gun but that is just the price you will have to pay!

[ammo two]

New Texan,
I have a fairly common name as well. FFL's often tell me the delay was because they needed further verification, I become used to it at this point. May also be one reason that my CHL app has not come back as some others of recent. (Today is day 60 for me)

Way back when, I was renewing my Mass DL but it was denied due to some guy in California with the same name and DOB that had some outstanding issues. It was obvious our SSNs were different but they (MA DMV) made me obtain proof from Cali that we were not the same indiv. They sent me a letter stating the SSNs were different which MA DMV accepted. (Years ago MA used your SSN as your DL number) Seems they could have figured it out on there own but that is MA for you.

[lrb111]

Years ago I heard that you could file a FOIA request on your own name. The FBI would than turn over what they had, and you could file corrections. Maybe someone with more recent contacts can refresh the info.

Somewhere someone in govt misspelled my last name, I missed it and signed whatever it was. It got listed as an alias. It is a very common name, and it halted every nics check.

[Skiprr]

I have a very common surname, but an uncommon given name. I've had no problem with my CHL or NICS, but this is a cautionary note to also obtain your three-party credit report at least once per year.

Bizarre stuff can appear there, and you need to be as proactive as possible in correcting it. For example, one credit reporting bureau showed me as having lived in Detroit, Michigan. I've never even been to Detroit, much less lived there. It took me almost two years to get that corrected!

Keep an eye on your credit report. Employers look at it, as do any security clearance evaluations.

[03Lightningrocks]

I do criminal background checks on everyone I hire and the company we go through uses the SS # and drivers license number to verify we are checking on the right person. I don't think we have ever had a case of mistaken identity. The company your speaking of may be doing some lower cost form of criminal check. That is real strange for them to call a person on the carpet like that without being sure of what they are saying.

One other thing I learned from the criminal back ground checks is that we have to do them at different levels or we could miss certain types of crimes. We even have to do them in different counties if the applicant has moved. I am pretty sure NICS is only checking for felonies....while a criminal check for a job might include other issues as well.

EDit... I just did some google research... ... I guess NICS is also looking for domestic violence stuff. I tend to believe that the DL # matching the name would keep you from experiencing discomfort from a person with your name but a different DL#

[koolaid]

I have a very common surname, but an uncommon given name. I've had no problem with my CHL or NICS, but this is a cautionary note to also obtain your three-party credit report at least once per year.

Bizarre stuff can appear there, and you need to be as proactive as possible in correcting it. For example, one credit reporting bureau showed me as having lived in Detroit, Michigan. I've never even been to Detroit, much less lived there. It took me almost two years to get that corrected!

Keep an eye on your credit report. Employers look at it, as do any security clearance evaluations.

Wow, two years? All of the corrections I've had done on mine (erroneous birthdates and residences) got fixed within the week.

[jmra]

While I was waiting on my CHL I purchased a couple handguns - no problem until the last purchase to my surprise the vender at the gun show hangs up with NICS and says I was denied. I have no criminal record, never even been handcuffed and have never had an issue with purchasing a handgun. So I get the reference number and call them back. Turns out a guy in NJ has the same first name, same middle initial, same last name, and the same dob, and a rap sheet. The agent I spoke to said it was obvious to him that I was not the same person but it was a judgment call. I stated that I had included my SS#. His response was that the NICS system was name based and the SS# meant nothing. He suggested I get a pin # from the FBI for future purchases. Later that day at the same gun show I found the same gun cheaper. I filled out the paperwork, the guy ran the NICS which went through without a snag and I walked away with the gun I wanted at a better price. My CHL came through without issue so I did not worry about getting the pin number. I did do some research however and discovered that the person (a woman btw) who denied me violated procedures. It should have been delayed and forwarded from the call center to an actual agent for further investigation. I mentioned that it was a woman because I also found out that women at the call centers are 10 times more likely to issue a denial than their male counter part.

[KC5AV]

but this is a cautionary note to also obtain your three-party credit report at least once per year.

The website for that is http://www.annualcreditreport.com" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;. You are allowed to pull your own report free once a year.

[budroux2w]

but this is a cautionary note to also obtain your three-party credit report at least once per year.

The website for that is http://www.annualcreditreport.com" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;. You are allowed to pull your own report free once a year.

If you go through the above mentioned site you can actually pull your credit 3 times a year by only selecting 1 of the repositories, then 4 months later chose a different one. The only drawback to this is they do not all three report ALL of the same information, however I feel it's a good way to keep an eye on it throughout the year.