PICS and NICS

[Grey Bearded One]

So I decided to buy a gun yesterday. Yes, a big step but I felt that I was ready.

So I did all the paperwork and the guy made the phone call to PICS and we waited and waited and waited. Finally, someone came on the line and told the salesman that NICS was down so they couldn't do a check.

During our conversation, the salesman made a couple comments that I couldn't get him to expand on. Back when I was dealing in firearms, I'd call for a NICS check and I'd be told approved, denied, or delayed (I think those were the terms, it was a while ago). This guy tells me that PICS gives him all sorts of information about me, including the last digits of social security number.

Was he blowing smoke up my ass? Is PICS like NICS and just says Yea or Nay? Or does the operator tell the salesman more about the customer?

[spacemanvic]

So I decided to buy a gun yesterday. Yes, a big step but I felt that I was ready.

So I did all the paperwork and the guy made the phone call to PICS and we waited and waited and waited. Finally, someone came on the line and told the salesman that NICS was down so they couldn't do a check.

During our conversation, the salesman made a couple comments that I couldn't get him to expand on. Back when I was dealing in firearms, I'd call for a NICS check and I'd be told approved, denied, or delayed (I think those were the terms, it was a while ago). This guy tells me that PICS gives him all sorts of information about me, including the last digits of social security number.

Was he blowing smoke up my ass? Is PICS like NICS and just says Yea or Nay? Or does the operator tell the salesman more about the customer?

Depends.

If it goes to computer, the computer reads back to you:

Spelling of last name

Date of birth

Last four digits of the SS#

"If this is correct, press 1"

Then it reads you the approval number. If it does not give you an auto approval, it will go to an operator.


If it goes to operator, then the operator acts as if you havent punched in the data.

Usually, you tell them first, middle, last names, race, gender, birth date, (occasionally hair and eye color, weight), city and state of birth and the answer to question 14 (Citizen of what country). They may ask for the full SS#.

Then they will give you an approval number, sometimes with a "U" in the number. If it goes to a denial or a delay, they will tell you then.


Lately, PICS has been going down ALOT, I mean really ALOT. They went down Saturday morning before we opened, then came back for about an hour around noon, then went down again until about 3:00.

[Noah_Zark]

The FFL keys in the buyer's DL number.

The PICS automated voice returns with:

"The information on the buyer is . . . " Immediately followed by "The last four digits of the social security number are . . .", immediately followed by, "Last name is . . . (spelled out) ", "DOB is . . . " etc., then "If the information is correct, press 1".

That's it. No other info about the buyer is shared by PICS with the dealer. The last 4 digits of the SS and the last name spelled out are provided to the dealer for the dealer to confirm that the correct individual's DL number has been entered.

Noah

[knight0334]

The FFL keys in the buyer's DL number.

The PICS automated voice returns with:

"The information on the buyer is . . . " Immediately followed by "The last four digits of the social security number are . . .", immediately followed by, "Last name is . . . (spelled out) ", "DOB is . . . " etc., then "If the information is correct, press 1".

That's it. No other info about the buyer is shared by PICS with the dealer. The last 4 digits of the SS and the last name spelled out are provided to the dealer for the dealer to confirm that the correct individual's DL number has been entered.

Noah

^^ This.

The response info is just to confirm identities.

[dunno]

What are all of the databases PICS checks against?

[tl_3237]

What are all of the databases PICS checks against?

see pages 2-3 in: http://www.psp.pa.gov/firearms-infor...ual_Report.pdf

[IIIIIREPOIIIII]

So I decided to buy a gun yesterday. Yes, a big step but I felt that I was ready.

So are you telling us all here @ PAFOA that your NOT a gun owner?

[Grey Bearded One]

So are you telling us all here @ PAFOA that your NOT a gun owner?

Aiiiieee, the grammar!

Yeah, I was a gun dealer for over two decades and never owned a gun.

No, I was joking because so many guys come here and make such a big deal about buying a gun. I bought an S&W 442 to go with my 642.

[IIIIIREPOIIIII]

Aiiiieee, the grammar!

Yeah, I was a gun dealer for over two decades and never owned a gun.

No, I was joking because so many guys come here and make such a big deal about buying a gun. I bought an S&W 442 to go with my 642.

Thats what i thought i was just really confused lol.