ATF System Down?

[Spazzmodicus]

I'm just a teensy bit aware of that.

Great!...but the latter part wasn't directed at you. I was simply corroborating what others said.

 

[giovani]

Some gun stores honor a 4473 form for 30 days after it has been called in.

 

[indiucky]

There were issues for certain...I just kept speed dialing until I would finally get someone on the line. The longest anyone of my customers had to wait yesterday was about a 1/2 hour...

It's actually the FBI that handles the NICS calls and not the ATF.

 

[Echelon]

The NICS call-in system or the e-check? The e-check is supposed to be up 24/7/365. Probably a lot faster, too.

Not an FFL, never done a check, but based on your quoted text, If their is an online check system, why would anyone sit on hold for hours to call one in? Seems a little crazy. Sounds like some of these stores need to get with the times!

 

[shooter521]

If their is an online check system, why would anyone sit on hold for hours to call one in?

Because one has to register for the NICS E-Check program and set up their host computer in a specific way, and each employee has to have their own unique digital certificate created; it is a somewhat lengthy process. To say nothing of employees being trained how to log in and use the E-check system. That is, if an FFL isn't already set up to do it, it's not something that he can opt to do on a whim if the NICS phone system is backed up.

And, the phone system usually runs pretty smoothly.

 

[Echelon]

Because one has to register for the NICS E-Check program and set up their host computer in a specific way, and each employee has to have their own unique digital certificate created; it is a somewhat lengthy process. To say nothing of employees being trained how to log in and use the E-check system. That is, if an FFL isn't already set up to do it, it's not something that he can opt to do on a whim if the NICS phone system is backed up.

And, the phone system usually runs pretty smoothly.

Ah, so a fairly simple and straight forward process then.

You'd think it would be easier than that, but it is a government system after all. I wonder how much it costs to run the call center, vs. just making a much simpler website to process the requests.