Orchid News Update: NICS Enhanced Background Checks

Our friends at Orchid, who handle a variety of administrative, legal, and logistical services for Federal Firearms License (FFL) holders, are reminding everyone that firearms transfers for individuals between the ages of 18-20 will be delayed for a period of time while there is an implementation of enhanced background checks. The Bipartisan Safer Communities Act of 2022 which was signed into law in June, mandated NICS enhanced background checks for anyone 18-20 years old to more thoroughly review juvenile records and the possible existence of any mental health prohibitions. Additional details can be found below.

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Orchid News Update: NICS Enhanced Background Checks

Orchid FFL News

As a result of the passage of the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act (BSCA) of 2022, signed into law on June 25, 2022, the NICS Section is working towards the implementation of an enhanced background check process for persons between the ages of 18-20. The enhancement provides the opportunity for additional outreach and research to be conducted regarding the existence of any juvenile adjudication information and/or mental health prohibition. As a result, transactions on persons between the ages of 18-20 will initially be delayed.

In order to conduct the aforementioned outreach and research, the address of the individual will be collected so that the appropriate local and state entities may be contacted. All descriptive information, including address, will follow normal purge requirements (i.e., deleted from NICS within 24 hours of the FFL receiving a proceed status). If potentially prohibiting juvenile information is uncovered, the BSCA allows for the delay period to extend up to ten business days. However, if no potentially prohibiting information is located, the transaction will be proceeded as soon as possible.

The NICS Section is working in collaboration with numerous other entities in the implementation of all aspects of the BSCA, including firearm handler checks for FFL employees, and will keep industry members informed as additional guidance becomes available.

For questions, please contact (844) 265-6716 or [email protected]