Bill would eliminate PA’s PICS system

[ungawa]

Are you suggesting I added wrong? Or did I miss something?

I was indeed suggesting you added wrong, but I did instead

The unaccounted for state is probably NY or NJ where they don't sell guns

[knight0334]

I've been having second thoughts about this for a while. I think Gunlawyer001 made a good point that if NICS is denying you, you might be screwed vs. PICS which can be handled by our own Commonwealth personnel/representatives/courts/local lawyers if necessary.

Also, somebody please confirm or refute this for me. Haven't there been 1 to 2 week outages/backlogs with the NICS system during purchase panics and the PICS system just kept rolling along? Or have I misunderstood what was happening. It seems PICS is open on Christmas while NICS is not, so I believe PICS can operate without continuous access to NICS.

If all of this is true, it would seem to me it is worth the cost to keep this process local.

I heard rumor about the NICS backlog, but I don't know how factual it is.

As for PICS, it can operate without a federal employee. PICS's computer or operator looks at the same database that a federal employee would look at for the primary background check. Instead of the FBI's computer or operator making the decision, it is a PSP employee/computer.

Also, delays and denials are handled in-state with PICS on a much faster basis than NICS. Weeks versus months..

Now, NICS does have some advantages over PICS. Like, no surcharge(but you still pay for it in your federal taxes). The preemptive clearing of false red-flags is better with NICS too.

Before just a couple years ago it was impossible for NICS to do our background checks because they couldn't incorporate state level prohibitors like PA's 6105. But that has since changed.

[gbrown221]

So do the schools----Heck, so do Politicians.

we should make cuts to them also!

[markshere2]

It's a simple answer: Never give more power to .FED.

[stainless]

It's a simple answer: Never give more power to .FED.

I can't argue with that logic.

[WCMG]

It's a simple answer: Never give more power to .FED.

The FEDS already have the power with NICS because PICS uses it, all we are doing is giving unnecessary power to PA PSP to deny someone the right to purchase a firearm, but beyond that, if PA went to a straight NICS system, we could then attempt to have the PA LTCF be accepted as an instant NICS approval.

Question 23: No NICS check was required because the buyer has a valid permit from the State where the transfer is to take place, which qualifies as an exemption to NICS.

permanent-brady-permit-chart

[Action Jackson]

I've been having second thoughts about this for a while. I think Gunlawyer001 made a good point that if NICS is denying you, you might be screwed vs. PICS which can be handled by our own Commonwealth personnel/representatives/courts/local lawyers if necessary.

Also, somebody please confirm or refute this for me. Haven't there been 1 to 2 week outages/backlogs with the NICS system during purchase panics and the PICS system just kept rolling along? Or have I misunderstood what was happening. It seems PICS is open on Christmas while NICS is not, so I believe PICS can operate without continuous access to NICS.

If all of this is true, it would seem to me it is worth the cost to keep this process local.

I would rather deal with PICS than NICS.

[Orlov556]

I would rather deal with PICS than NICS.

You are already dealing with NICS. If the NICS system goes down (like it did last Friday, BTW) you will not be able to purchase a firearm in PA. Period. GL has quite a long post in another thread about why we should keep PICS. He reasoning is pretty solid, but i dissent.

The biggest advantages to going to only NICS would still require alot of the PA firearms statute to be amended, such as getting rid of the state sale form for handguns. Also, if we were a NICS state, LTCF holders dont need BG checks, but i think that the PA law would still have to be amended to make that a go.

I am all about getting rid of PICS. My biggest reason i support NICS only has to do with PAs infamous "undetermined" status, which simply doesn't exist with NICS. Research? Feds got 3 days, then you go pick up your gun. The only con to that is that someone with some obscure charge that may make them a prohibited person gets their hands on a firearm becomes a felon.

[knight0334]

You are already dealing with NICS. If the NICS system goes down (like it did last Friday, BTW) you will not be able to purchase a firearm in PA. Period. GL has quite a long post in another thread about why we should keep PICS. He reasoning is pretty solid, but i dissent.

The biggest advantages to going to only NICS would still require alot of the PA firearms statute to be amended, such as getting rid of the state sale form for handguns. Also, if we were a NICS state, LTCF holders dont need BG checks, but i think that the PA law would still have to be amended to make that a go.

I am all about getting rid of PICS. My biggest reason i support NICS only has to do with PAs infamous "undetermined" status, which simply doesn't exist with NICS. Research? Feds got 3 days, then you go pick up your gun. The only con to that is that someone with some obscure charge that may make them a prohibited person gets their hands on a firearm becomes a felon.

Going with NICS wouldn't require the RoS form to be dropped. PICS isn't dependent on the RoS either, or vice versa - it is a whole other issue. PA could still require the RoS on top of the 4473 like present. The use of NICS doesn't prohibit the states from any form of registration or state level transfer records. Federal law only prohibits creating a registry directly from the 4473 forms.

Going with NICS doesn't automatically provide for our LTCF to be used in lieu of a background check, even under Federal law. State law must provide for it and well as it being approved by the FBI and/or ATF.

State law can still control the "undetermined"(research) thing even with NICS. PA would have to follow federal law completely on that matter, without the requirement of the FFL wait until a "proceed" is given(which PA could still dictate).

[rckeystone]

Every time I decide which side of the fence I'm on with this topic someone makes an argument for the other side and I second guess myself.
I"m flip flopping so much I'm thinking of running for office


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