FBI Blocks 951 Gun Sales in First Week of Computerized System
The FBI has blocked 951 gun sales during the first week of its new computerized instant-check system that is aimed at thwarting sales to criminals, drug users and others barred from buying handguns, rifles or shotguns, the agency said Monday.
Since the new checks began Nov. 30, three-fourths of the 177,391 background checks resulted in immediate clearance to sell the weapon, the FBI said. Although 25% required further analysis of records, only 951 of them led to disqualifying the would-be purchasers.
Federal law bans gun purchases by people convicted or under indictment on felony charges, fugitives, the mentally ill, those with dishonorable military discharges, those who have renounced U.S. citizenship, illegal immigrants, illegal drug users and those convicted of domestic violence misdemeanors or under domestic violence restraining orders. State laws add other categories.
The Brady Act gives authorities up to three days to conduct background checks.
The FBI figures do not cover the entire nation because 16 states conduct their own background checks under the Brady Act. In 11 states, the FBI conducts checks on rifle and shotgun buyers and the states conduct them on handgun buyers.
The FBI does not have results of the state checks.
The bureau said delays that occurred during the first five hours early in the system’s operation have been corrected.
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