National Instant Criminal Check System (NICS)

The National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS) is used to conduct background checks on individuals who are attempting to purchase firearms from licensed dealers (FFL). Established by the Brady Handgun Violence Prevention Act of 1993 and managed by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), NICS is designed to prevent firearms from being sold to individuals who are legally prohibited from owning them. The system quickly checks various databases, including criminal records, mental health records, and other disqualifying factors, to determine the eligibility of the prospective buyer. If the background check is approved, the sale may proceed. If there are disqualifying factors, the sale is denied.