Re: Is something up with the ATF recently?
I am a delay 50% of the time.
So fast forward a few years and I got a job in a gun store, part time.
As I am now the one calling in 4473's to the FBI NICS (ATF does not run back ground checks) I noticed a customer who had the same issue I did. He would get delayed most of the time only to be approved every single time the following day. Just created hassle is all.
So one day he is purchasing another firearm and I get the obligatory transfer to secondary check. When the person picks up instead of instantly giving them the transaction number I explained that this customer buys several firearms, gets delayed only to be approved the next day. I asked if they would look into it or explain to me what the deal was so I could tell my customer.
Person asks for the transaction number and tells me that they will look into it. Typically a secondary check takes 1-2 minutes tops, if that even. This time it took close to 5 minutes. When the person came back it was explained to me that this transaction was a "proceed", not a delay as this customer usually always was. I in a polite way asked WHISKEY TANGO FOXTROT over to which I was told that certain things flag backgrounds and it takes a specialist for that state to dis-cipher whether that person can be a proceed or not. This person also said that "many" examiners are just lazy and they could check into it deeper like he just did however its easier to just "delay" and let the second tier specialist for that state sort it out later. I took this as the standard government "not my job" answer.
So this was helpful and made some sense. I was also told that the customer could apply for a UPIN (Unique Personal Identification Number) and this would stop the delay from happening. Typically UPIN numbers are assigned to someone who has had their rights restored or common in the case of identity theft.
I told the customer this, and several others too. I then took it upon myself to apply for a UPIN. Set of fingerprints, basic application and mail off to the WV. Upon receiving my UPIN I purchased another firearm and even though the transaction took much longer then normal, I was proceeded that day. No more 50/50 gamble.
Usually a wait is no big deal, however since moving back to my home town in the middle of nowhere, getting delayed 2-3 hours away from home sucks.
The only negative to the UPIN that I can think of is my perceived stigma of being a UPIN customer. I could be way off base but it seems that dealers think I am a reformed bad guy who got his rights back thus the UPIN. Could all be in my head though, oh well.
Hope this long winded diatribe made sense to someone in the classroom.
