PICS

[Sigpauer]

Hey everybody, been stalking this forum for quite some time and decided to "pull the trigger" and join; I enjoy the likeminded, sometimes cavalierly honest, individuals on this forum and even though I have read and re-read a lot on this forum I would feel great if I could have my mind put at ease.

(Long backstory that's irrelevant) but I just became a PA res from NJ about 2 weeks ago. I walked into Donley's gun shop in Quakertown, Shirley is wonderful by the way, and attempted to have my background check completed. I was put into "research" 😑 no big deal I guess. This Wednesday marks the 15th CALENDAR day from the initial research marker and I know I can challenge that if I am denied or do not hear back, thus a de facto denial is issued. Fine

My question is this... How long does a challenge normally take if I have appropriate documentation of prior summary offenses and a non-conviction arrest satisfied through NJ conditional discharge (think ARD) with no 302 mental health commitments (and not anything to do with the prohibitors as I'm fully aware of what they include and have seen others flamed for stupid questions like "well I have a felony domestic charge from '86 and didn't know I couldn't buy a gun...") that properly document the case dispositions and clear me from during the challenge? I also applied for my LTCF this past Thursday so I'm hoping I get this cleared up and then am able to have that within 45 days and in the process of getting my record expunged. Thanks in advance.

Anybody? Gunlawyer001? 😀

[Boondox]

Man don't hold me to everything I am about to say but as I can recall they have 30 days.
They can deny it or just shelf it which in a way is a denial in my book.
After you spend 30 days waiting on your butt with no approval but no denial, you have to send in finger prints and the paper work.
There is a time frame they are supposed to move on regarding that part but it eludes me. I think I may recall 30 days , maybe 45.
This is what I know about it.
Or at least can remember.
I had not been ""denied"" once but ... what was the word they used?
I forget the exact term but basically it had been put on a shelf which was just about as effective as a denial.
I believe in the paper work it gives the times frames they have do move on things.
I even think on the ATF website there is information regarding this very thing. Appealing it or whatever.
At least there was at one time , look into that.

[Boondox]

Oh and FWIW ,right before I mailed everything in , maybe like day 50 or something ..... the check went through and was good to go.
Believe that crap?
So much for instant.

[SteveWag]

I am a FFL/PA Dealer and deal with PICS almost every day. “Research” always upsets a client. The reply from “research” should be 14 days, but PICS is a strange animal. Apparently, when a check is put into “research“, it is handled by the original PICS contact person and stays on their desk until an approval or denial is returned. 50 days seems extreme, but just becoming a state resident may have delayed the process and/or the PICS person may have been on vacation. I know this will not be taken well, but the Dealer has no power and it is best to just wait it out.
Steve

[harold63]

Dang...I saw 'PICS' and thought someone started a new gun picture thread.

[Xringshooter]

I am also a PA FFL. Have your dealer call PICS and ask what the status is, they are allowed to do that. PICS tries to complete the research as quickly as possible but it could take up to 15 days, and I was told that it is 15 calendar days. Going into research means that something came up during the BCG that needs to be looked into further before a decision is made.

If you do get denied (or are given an undetermined status), they WILL NOT tell the dealer why. The dealer should then give you the denial challenge form for you to submit. You have 30 days in which to submit it. Once submitted, the PSP has 5 days in which to respond to you that they have received the challenge and then 60 days to give you a final decision.

I best guess is that what you had in your background in NJ is what the hold up is, especially the incident that was satisfied by the ARD. They are/were probably looking at or trying to look at the court documentation to determine what your status in PA is going to be.

[alpacaheat]

Dang...I saw 'PICS' and thought someone started a new gun picture thread.

Here you go.






Welcome to PA, sigpauer. Happy for you escaping that Communist sewer.

[Sigpauer]

Wow everyone thanks for all the information and being so welcoming. I'll try to answer/reply to everyone in this post; I usually use my mobile so excuse me if I leave you out. That's not intentional and all input is appreciated.

1) yes the conditional discharge (ARD as I understand in PA or probation before judgement) was in NJ and has been successfully completed for years now with an expungement underway. Wrong place, wrong time. No conviction which was the most important obviously. The disposition of the case is clearly notated in the files (I checked myself with the county in which it occurred and have had many background checks done and hold professional licenses so I'm good to go ie no stolen identity, my name isn't common, SSN provided... Just this once, I was excited what can I say)

2) my FFL didn't seem willing or offer to give PICS a call; not that they were rude about me checking but it just wasn't offered.

3) yes, I almost exclusively and specifically left NJ because they are not supportive of what we hold near and dear (ie 2A) but I still maintain a dwelling within the state so I am legally afforded the ability to travel interstate from dwelling to to dwelling as long as the firearms are NJ compliant (no ARs )

4) I went to The DMV (Penndot?) and 10 minutes later was in the LGS attempting the PICs background😂 so it could have something to do with it.

5) I was cleared for the NJ background check from the NJ state police. I know this because I had a NJ handgun permit pending before I became a PA resident and I rescinded the application the DAY I attempted the background check for PICS; the municipal clerk is VERY pro-gun (imagine that in NJ I couldn't even believe it) and she told me I cleared the check with no prohibiting factors, flags, etc in NJ. The records are probably easier to view and interpret in NJ than PA with the legalese and terms like conditional discharge etc. I neglected to mention that before but oh we'll may or may not be an issue

6) handgun permits in NJ take minimum of 4 months these days, so about 60 days if I had to wait wouldn't kill me but definitely not "instant" as I'd hoped. Even though state law says 30 days an appellate court held that the police can take "as much time as necessary to determine someone's eligibility to possess a firearm" :/ How do you guys do it in PA by making them stand accountable for their own laws? NJ judges and politicians don't seem to give a fuck and that's upsetting to me. PA is home now.


So, here are my clarifying questions.

1) after the challenge form is submitted, 5 business days after notification of reason for denial, then 60 calendar days for complete analysis of challenges?

2) is this research calendar or business days?

3) how can I approach the FFL to call PICS and what would they ask if they did call and what kind of information could I provide to expedite the approval process, if any during research before I'm deemed "undetermined"?

4) do you think that the LTCF application I applied for on Thursday will be affected by this? That's a whole other thread I'll have to start once I, if but hopefully won't, ever have to cross that.


I know I've posted a lot here and I just want to thank everyone again for being patient with someone who is new to the forum and providing valuable insight. I'm just looking to assert my rights and be within the scope of the law by knowing what I can do, if anything.

[Sigpauer]

Lol I've been going through all the pages of pics in the forum... Making me wish I could post pics of my own and I ain't talking about the PSP

[Sigpauer]

Thank you!! Nothing against the dealer at all; I just want some fun