PICS queston

**cyclesteel** · December 1st, 2008, 04:26 PM

I have been very indecisive this last month figuring out what I want to use as a CCW and have done bunch of buying and trading in of a few handguns and was just wondering if some sort of flag pops up if you have a few background checks in a short period of time.

And I am still not sure If I am totally happy with my current CCW I guess a bit of buyers remorse and not doing enough research . But I probably had 6 or so Pics checks since October Most of them where in the last 2 weeks. 2 of them where for target pistols though. I am considering one more CCW weapon but not sure if I should wait a month or so

Thanks

Matt

**lildobe** · December 1st, 2008, 04:32 PM

PICS doesn't know what kind of guns you are buying. And there is no "flag" that we know of for having more then x-number of checks run on you is a certain amount of time. PICS also doesn't know how many guns you purchase on a singe check

The ATF, however, does have a "flag" for the number of pistols bought within a 5 day period, IIRC... but that's based on the ATF forms that are sent in, not the instant checks that are performed.

**cyclesteel** · December 1st, 2008, 05:16 PM

Thanks for the info most of my purchases where about a week apart. I just started getting a little paranoid when I started going through my paperwork and noticed how many forms I have acclumated in the last few weeks

In retrospect I should have just went to the range and rented of the guns I was interested in. It would have saved me a bunch of money.

**normanvin** · December 1st, 2008, 05:30 PM

I believe the shop has to fill out another form if you buy two or more in one trip. I have not heard of anything becoming of this extra form.

**cyclesteel** · December 1st, 2008, 05:38 PM

Thanks for the info.
It probably was about a week apart between my purchases.

I started to get a little paranoid when I noticed how many forms I have accumulated over the past few weeks.

**Mancolt** · December 2nd, 2008, 04:09 AM

Originally Posted by cyclesteel

But I probably had 6 or so Pics checks since October Most of them where in the last 2 weeks. 2 of them where for target pistols though. I am considering one more CCW weapon but not sure if I should wait a month or so

Thanks

Matt

Just out of curiousity, how can you have 6 or so Pics checks, with the majority (from my reading, majority would be > or = 3) falling within a 2 week period and still not have had more than 1 purchase within 5 days? Might want to check those dates on the forms and maybe wait at least 5 days before purchasing your next gun.

I don't know where you're located, but look into local gun shops and shooting ranges as well. Most, if not all, gun shops will at least let you handle a gun before buying. And most shooters at a range will let you try out their handgun before you go out and purchase one.

So before you go selling the one you have and buying a new one, I would recommend you try the "new one" out before you buy it.

Best of luck to you.

**Bersa45** · December 2nd, 2008, 05:02 AM

Originally Posted by lildobe

PICS doesn't know what kind of guns you are buying. And there is no "flag" that we know of for having more then x-number of checks run on you is a certain amount of time. PICS also doesn't know how many guns you purchase on a singe check

The ATF, however, does have a "flag" for the number of pistols bought within a 5 day period, IIRC... but that's based on the ATF forms that are sent in, not the instant checks that are performed.

This is interesting. My dad and I were talking about this last week when we both went and bought our AKs. So you are saying that PICS is just a "yes he/she is ok or no he/she is not ok to buy a gun". what info does PICs look at? If there was a gun confiscation could the authorities use pics to see who owns what guns? Or is it if the state requires registration that is the only way the government would know what we have? Michigan requires registration, Ohio doesn't, not sure about Pa.

**lildobe** · December 3rd, 2008, 12:12 AM

Originally Posted by Bersa45

So you are saying that PICS is just a "yes he/she is ok or no he/she is not ok to buy a gun".

That is correct.

what info does PICs look at? If there was a gun confiscation could the authorities use pics to see who owns what guns?

PICS (and NICS) look at the recorded criminal history and arrest record of the person in question. Nothing more.

Or is it if the state requires registration that is the only way the government would know what we have? Michigan requires registration, Ohio doesn't, not sure about Pa.

Correct. Only a gun registry would hold that information. Information about the ownership history of a single weapon can be obtained through various channels in the ATF, however that is a manual process of tracking the firearm from manufacturer to FFL to owner to FFL, etc...

Pa has no firearms registry. It is specifically outlawed in the UFA (18 PaCS §6111.4). The state police DOES however keep a record of CERTAIN handgun purchases that go though an FFL. This is NOT a registry, no matter how much local law enforcement officials try to use it as one.