Individuals attempting to purchase firearms through a federally licensed dealer (FFL) sometime experience an erroneous denial or delay by the National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS). Denials and delays based on faulty information can be appealed; however the NICS Section cannot retain a record of a successful appeal. Without an updated record, a purchaser will likely face the same denial or delay the next time they attempt to make a purchase requiring a NICS background check.
In order to avoid the appeal process in the future, a
Voluntary Appeal File can be created.
Voluntary Appeal Files permit applicants request that NICS maintain
information about themselves in the file to prevent future erroneous denials or
extended delays of a firearm transfer.
