PA to Consider Replacing PICS with NICS

[Berncly]

This alert came in from NRA-ILA.
Can anyone knowledgeable explain why NRA favors NICS over PICS.
Specifically, what are the negatives associated with PICS.
Thanks.
Berncly-
--------------------

https://www.nraila.org/articles/2016...ring-scheduled

NRA-ILA

Pennsylvania: House Judiciary Committee to Consider NICS Background Check System Legislation

Next week, the Pennsylvania House of Representatives Judiciary Committee has scheduled a possible vote on House Bill 921, sponsored by Speaker of the House, Mike Turzai (HD28-R). This important legislation would eliminate the current Pennsylvania Instant Check System (PICS) as well as the current handgun record of sale and replace it with the National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS) which is administered by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI). Please contact the House Judiciary Committee members in support of HB 921!

Under the NICS system, licensed dealers contact the FBI, via a toll-free telephone number to run a check of computerized criminal history and mental health records at the point of sale for firearm purchases. Upon confirmation that the purchaser has no prohibiting criminal or mental health record, the purchaser may take possession of the firearm.

Since its inception in 1998, PICS has cost Pennsylvania tax payers nearly 120 million dollars to conduct background checks on gun purchasers in the Keystone State. By replacing the system with NICS, taxpayers in Pennsylvania would be relieved of a burdensome, duplicative process and would be able to take advantage of the more efficient federal system. Currently, thirty-five states solely utilize the NICS system for all firearm background checks.

Once again, please click the “Take Action” button above to contact House Judiciary Committee members in support of HB 921!

[markshere2]

1) NATIONAL Rifle Association pushing NATIONAL program...

b. I want less control of my life in DC, not more

Thirdly, that $ spent stayed in PA in the form of wages and benefits.

Finally, this is an oxymoron: "more efficient federal system."

E. Do you think for one microsecond that Harrisburg would reduce its budget (OUR TAXES!) because a cost disappeared? BWAHHHHHHHAHAHAHAH!


Bad idea, no thanks. Lets oppose it.

[Pilot321]

Well the 2A is stated in a Federal document, the Constitution, so it can be argued it is a Federal/National issues. States should NOT be able to take away the right.

[BenFoo]

Well the 2A is stated in a Federal document, the Constitution, so it can be argued it is a Federal/National issues. States should NOT be able to take away the right.

Have you read the PA State Constitution?

[Pilot321]

Have you read the PA State Constitution?

Yes, I know that it's stated there also.

[Noah_Zark]

The FBI earlier this year announced that it was suspending the NICS version of PICS' challenge procedure due to lack of staff and funding (Or maybe the Administration doing what it can to reduce the number of transactions). So if there's no PICS and you're denied by NICS, there's no recourse.

Sure you want that?

Noah

[MovingtoAmerica]

NICS is awful. Take it from someone who has experienced it firsthand. The federal employees don't give a rats ass about you or your background check and their system is constantly down. PICS is a godsend in comparison. If you like waiting hours to get approved, then NICS is for you.

[SigForLife]

NICS is awful. Take it from someone who has experienced it firsthand. The federal employees don't give a rats ass about you or your background check and their system is constantly down. PICS is a godsend in comparison. If you like waiting hours to get approved, then NICS is for you.

I think you may be confused, as absent a response from NICS, PICS will not approve and every time NICS is down, PICS is down. Furthermore, PICS is down every time that PennDOT or PICS is down. Accordingly, PICS is down FAR more than NICS. Just ask any PA FFL. Furthermore, under NICS, if an FFL does not receive a deny in 3 days, they can proceed with the transfer, unlike with PICS. While neither are perfect, when FBI has audited PICS, they raised constitutional concerns over how it is being implemented and PSP's position that if it cannot determine whether someone is prohibited, they are denied as being prohibited. FBI (correctly) believes that is unconstitutional, since you are denying a constitutional right without evidence that you are prohibited. And then there is the $7 million that we, the taxpayers, are paying for PICS, PLUS the background check fee every time you purchase a firearm.

[LBaker]

This is nonsense. PICs uses the federal database. If NIC is down PICS is down

[Action Jackson]

This alert came in from NRA-ILA.
Can anyone knowledgeable explain why NRA favors NICS over PICS.
Specifically, what are the negatives associated with PICS.
Thanks.
Berncly-
--------------------

https://www.nraila.org/articles/2016...ring-scheduled

NRA-ILA

Pennsylvania: House Judiciary Committee to Consider NICS Background Check System Legislation

Next week, the Pennsylvania House of Representatives Judiciary Committee has scheduled a possible vote on House Bill 921, sponsored by Speaker of the House, Mike Turzai (HD28-R). This important legislation would eliminate the current Pennsylvania Instant Check System (PICS) as well as the current handgun record of sale and replace it with the National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS) which is administered by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI). Please contact the House Judiciary Committee members in support of HB 921!

Under the NICS system, licensed dealers contact the FBI, via a toll-free telephone number to run a check of computerized criminal history and mental health records at the point of sale for firearm purchases. Upon confirmation that the purchaser has no prohibiting criminal or mental health record, the purchaser may take possession of the firearm.

Since its inception in 1998, PICS has cost Pennsylvania tax payers nearly 120 million dollars to conduct background checks on gun purchasers in the Keystone State. By replacing the system with NICS, taxpayers in Pennsylvania would be relieved of a burdensome, duplicative process and would be able to take advantage of the more efficient federal system. Currently, thirty-five states solely utilize the NICS system for all firearm background checks.

Once again, please click the “Take Action” button above to contact House Judiciary Committee members in support of HB 921!

Do you really want the federal government to control whether you buy a gun or not?

I don't care what the NRA wants, I would much rather deal with Pennsylvania state police than any federal agency.