US Department of Justice Office of Justice Programs Bureau of Justice Statistics Bureau - PDF document

U.S. Department of JusticeOffice of Justice ProgramsBureau of Justice Statistics Bureau of Justice Statistics Statistical TablesOctober 2010, NCJ 231679Background Checks for Firearms Transfers, 2009…Statistical TablesBy Michael Bowling, Ph.D.Ronald J. FrandsenGene A. LauverRegional Justice Information ServiceAllina D. BoutilierDevon B. AdamsBureau of Justice StatisticsThis web page describes background checks for firearm transfers conducted in 2009.The statistical tables below provide the number of firearm transaction applicationschecked by state points of contact and local agencies, the number of applicationsdenied and the reasons for denial, and estimates of applications and denials conductedby each type of approval system. Data are also provided on appeals of denied applica-tions and arrests for falsified applications.The Regional Justice Information Service (REJIS) prepared these tables under thesupervision of Devon B. Adams and Allina D. Boutilier, of the Bureau of Justice Statis-tics. Terry J. Tomazic, Professor of Sociology at Saint Louis University, served as statis-tical advisor and Dave Naglich at REJIS assisted with data analysis on the project. Thetables were prepared under BJS cooperative agreement #2009-BJ-CX-K006. The BJSsponsored Firearm Inquiry Statistics (FIST) program collects information on firearmbackground checks conducted by state and local agencies and combines this informa-tion with Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) National Instant Criminal Back-ground Check System (NICS) transaction data. NCJ 231679.For a list of publications in this series go to www.ojp.usdoj.gov/bjs/ RegionalJusticeJusticetransfers checkingthatoutstandingwarrantAlcohol,(TablerecordsViolencePreventionU.S.C.SectioncriminalanythestateActAct,committedinstitutionadmittedUnitedcitizenshipmisdemeanorfordeterminePOCagencies,states.onlyJustice nationalapplications ActprojectcollectsfirearmsandcheckscombinesactionsInformationnationalconductbackgroundchecksCriminal(NICS)backgroundrequestedpresentAlcohol,alternativepointarecarryafterapplicantmayLicensee(FFL)obtaincontactingallowcheckmaymustdeniedappealPOC.outstandinggovernmentextent requiredtheagencies.weretheagenciesagencies100,000;agenciespopulationand100,000;agenciesfromagencies.wereagenciesagencies. 2,951816       303030     1,656364236   1,155373264   1104929   developedprovidecalculatingcarrywasPennsylvaniareportedincludedchecks. stateInstant(NICS)withinIdentificationrecords),Informationmisdemeanorcreatedtheagenciesfirearm.anyreadilyinchescommonlysuchshotgun.licensedrequesttransferagencysubmittedincludeapplicationagencytherespondimmediatelyPurchasesystemsprospectiveissuedlicense, carryselleronicimmediatelybefore 8/09. 7/08. 3/08.Firearm Firearm Firearmthe 19992003 Firearm Firearm Firearm Firearm InterimHandgunChecks,InterimPeriod, EnforcementApplicantshttp://www.ncjrs.gov/pdffiles1/bjs/231052.pdf EnforcementApplicants Enforcement FederalFirearmsCases,FY2008http://www.ncjrs.gov/pdffiles1/bjs/grants/229420.pdf FederalFirearmsCases,FY2007http://www.ncjrs.gov/pdffiles1/bjs/grants/224890.pdf ProceduresSales,ProvidesSystemoperatedFBI.ProceduresSales,resSales,ProceduresSales,ProceduresSales,Proceduresles,ProceduresSales,ProceduresSales,ProceduresSales,ProcedureslesRecords, MisdemeanorRecords, recordspresalebackground 107,845,0001.8%1994-199812,740,000312,0002.4% y b95,105,00 0 1,613,0001.7%893,00020,0002.28,621,000204,0002.47,699,000153,0002.07,958,000151,0001.97,806,000136,0001.77,831,000126,0001.68,084,000126,0001.68,278,000132,0001.68,612,000135,0001.68,658,000136,0001.69,900,000147,0001.510,764,000150,0001.4 Background Checks for Firearm Transfers, 2009 - Statistical TablesOctober 2010 Background Checks for Firearm Transfers, 2009 - Statistical TablesOctober 2010 1999-2009a T ype o f c h ec k s con d ucte d 10,764,237150,0131.4%95,104,5991,613,9531.7% 6 865,72 4 4,067,15565,6621.6%35,042,085733,8842.1%2,610,54843,0531.624,131,32 8 547,8672.3439,02311,0252.53,641,93 4 86,9612.4479,3705,7121.22,578,13249,1381.9 4 5,8721.14,690,69149,9181.1 s 920,30417,0271.9%7,128,269131,8401.8% hktthtifhdATFlittl Table 2. Number of applications and denials, by type of agency and type of check, 1999…2009Percent li cat i onsDen i a l sPercent deniedApp li cat i onsDen i a l s Background Checks for Firearm Transfers, 2009 - Statistical TablesOctober 2010 h ec k at t h e time o f h ase un d er an ATF ru l ing or state l aw. fOther approval systems require a seller to transmit an application to a checking agency, with transfers delayed until a waiting period expires or the agency completes a check. Background Checks for Firearm Transfers, 2009 - Statistical TablesOctober 2010 20091999-2009California483,8745,0651.0%4,210,45442,5451.0%Colorado208,0255,4212.61,695,47461,1023.6136,7391520.1ƒƒƒPurchase permits 44,535340.1ƒƒƒInstant checks 92,2041180.1704,6491,6370.2Delaware14,0245223.7116,6314,9584.3Florida532,0947,5731.43,719,66377,7032.112,6061341.1ƒƒƒ551,03011,2822.04,571,80586,96 4 Purchase permits 326,00810,2223.12,715,71774,6942.8Instant checks 225,0221,0600.51,856,08812,2700.7Maryland43,1146991.6%330,3675,9981.8%Nevada94,3221,6831.8ƒƒƒ26,4032040.8174,7221,6961.0 4 7400.7895,05 4 9,6821.1Purchase permits55,8746351.1459,6888,4731.8Instant checks57,4001050.2435,3661,2090.3Oregon166,8732,1691.31,367,67925,1281.811,2261081.0ƒƒƒTennessee298,69212,2914.12,317,39999,9854.381,9592,3952.9816,81723,6502.9Virginia287,4623,1011.12,389,59628,1201.256,4705621.0412,6805,9021.4 Exemptcarrypermits Applications DenialsApplications Denials Background Checks for Firearm Transfers, 2009 - Statistical TablesOctober 2010 E xemp t carry perm it Arizona40,2421,1973.0%276,40713,7555.0%Arkansas33,6261020.3ƒƒƒKentucky26,2045972.3ƒƒƒ22,3783741.7ƒƒƒMississippi7,23310.0ƒƒƒNorth Dakota7,14980.1ƒƒƒSouth Carolina46,7537021.5170,2483,0801.8Texas139,2715030.4ƒƒƒUtah77,2379131.2219,6423,0191.4Wyoming 6,1721201.921,6224211.9 Background Checks for Firearm Transfers, 2009 - Statistical TablesOctober 2010 12,9261431.1%137,7631,7321.3%53,8221,0041.9614,92910,6321.752,0991,1782.3440,31212,0312.7Total118,8472,3252.01,193,00424,3952.04,796410.9%53,2494970.9%47,8427451.6301,0544,3431.446,1161,0692.3232,8944,4961.998,7541,8551.9587,1979,3361.6ApplicationsDenialsdeniedApplicationsDenials Background Checks for Firearm Transfers, 2009 - Statistical TablesOctober 2010Background Checks for Firearm Transfers, 2009 - Statistical TablesOctober 2010 Table 4. Reasons for denial of firearm transfer applications, by type of checking agency, 1999…200920091999-2009Reason for denialFBIaStateLocalFBIaStateLocalTotal100%100%100%100%100%100%Felony indictment/conviction48.539.421.764.552.826.4State law prohibition11.210.76.32.67.712.4Domestic violence11.513.515.816.013.613.5Misdemeanor conviction7.210.213.911.610.111.6Restraining order4.33.31.94.43.51.9Fugitive16.87.11.06.66.81.3Illegal alien1.00.30.71.30.40.5Mental illness or disability1.46.25.30.62.54.4Drug user/addict9.31.615.27.71.18.9Local law prohibitionƒƒ1.5ƒƒ5.1Other prohibitionsb0.321.232.50.715.127.5Note: Reasons for denials are based on 18 U.S.C. 922 and state laws....Not available or Not applicableaDuring 2008 the FBI began a new classification system and reclassified all denials from 1999 to 2008. Thus, cumulative totals are not comparable with those in prior editions of this bulletin. bIncludes juveniles, persons dishonorably discharged from the Armed Services, persons who have renounced U. S. citizenship, and other unspecified persons.Methodology. Background Checks for Firearm Transfers, 2009 - Statistical TablesOctober 2010Background Checks for Firearm Transfers, 2009 - Statistical TablesOctober 2010 10,764,0008,621,00024.9%150,000204,000-26.567,000148,000-54.7All other reasons83,00056,00048.2Percent felony45.0%73.0%-38.8%6.217.2-63.820091999 Background Checks for Firearm Transfers, 2009 - Statistical TablesOctober 2010Background Checks for Firearm Transfers, 2009 - Statistical TablesOctober 2010 33,11822.1%12,09936.5%248,31717.2%94,88238.2%14,21121.1%3,33223.4%99,83414.9%30,09530.1%18,68328.7%8,72746.7%146,99922.9%64,35043.8%Colorado1,93335.71,46575.817,35531.910,20858.8Florida2,75036.391733.320,41028.56,34131.1Oregon1,98691.61105.513,94958.51,0177.33,72146.61,44838.941,56643.817,10141.18,08165.74,58456.747,59856.926,87556.52120.720395.86,1212.02,80845.92241.3%4017.9%1,4841.1%43729.4%20092000-2009 Background Checks for Firearm Transfers, 2009 - Statistical TablesOctober 2010Background Checks for Firearm Transfers, 2009 - Statistical TablesOctober 2010 1,51214,9211,45614,5481151,941 / 65 / 24ƒ349 / 559 / 36821,1303292,8539307,5915637320092000-2009 Background Checks for Firearm Transfers, 2009 - Statistical TablesOctober 2010Background Checks for Firearm Transfers, 2009 - Statistical TablesOctober 2010 71,010100%4,6816.6%2,3903.42,2913.264,22190.42,1083.01,34328.7%1,14924.51,05722.64188.93758.02575.5420.9320.780.2 T he category "other reasons" is compiled from four other prohibiting categories used by the BradyOperationsBranchtoreferdenialsforfieldinvestigation. Domestic violence misdemeanorOther reasonseFBI denials referred to ATF Brady OperationsTable 8. ATF investigation of National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS) denials by the FBI, 2009bA firearm may be obtained during an "open transaction" where the FBI has not completed a check in 3 business days and the dealer is allowed to transfer the firearm. If the FBI completes cA standard referral involves a person who is not allowed to receive a firearm because the FBI found a prohibitory record within 3 business days.Not referred to fieldSubject to protective orderPercentNote: Total may not sum to 100% due to rounding.Under indictment or informationd Background Checks for Firearm Transfers, 2009 - Statistical TablesOctober 2010 Brady Operations Branch to refer denials for field investigation . Background Checks for Firearm Transfers, 2009 - Statistical TablesOctober 2010 Note: The NICS Index is used exclusively for NICS checks and contains records of persons who are prohibited by federal law from receiving Background Checks for Firearm Transfers, 2009 - Statistical TablesOctober 2010Background Checks for Firearm Transfers, 2009 - Statistical TablesOctober 2010 Purchase check or permi t Federal Bureau of Investigation---Alabama------Alaska------Arizona---Department of Public SafetyArkansas---State PoliceCaliforniaDepartment of Justice Firearms Division---ColoradoBureau of Investigation Insta-Check Unit---ConnecticutState Police Special Licensing & Firearms---DelawareState Police Bureau of Identification T FloridaDepartment of Law Enforcement---Georgia---159 county probate courtsHawaiiFour police departments---Idaho---44 county sheriffsIllinoisState Police FOID and FTIP units---Indiana------IowaDept. of Public Safety / 99 county sheriffsDept. of Public Safety / 99 county sheriffsKansas------Kentucky---State PoliceLouisiana------Maine------MarylandState Police Firearms Enforcement Division---Massachusetts351 police departments351 police departmentsMichigan 595 sheriffs and police departmentsCounty licensing boardsMinnesota568 sheriffs and police departments87 county sheriffsMississippi---Department of Public SafetyMissouri------Montana---56 county sheriffsNebraska95 sheriffs and police departments--- Nevada DepartmentofPublicSafety ---JurisdictionNames or description of checking agencies Appendix table 1. Agencies conducting firearm background checks, December 31, 2009 Background Checks for Firearm Transfers, 2009 - Statistical TablesOctober 2010 Nevada Department of Public Safety New HampshireDepartment of Safety---New JerseyState Police / 505 local police departments---New Mexico ------ k b 58 county sheriffs; some police departments---North Carolina100 county sheriffs100 county sheriffsNorth Dakota---Bureau of Criminal InvestigationOhio------Oklahoma------OregonState Police Firearms Unit---PennsylvaniaState Police Firearms Division---Rhode Island39 police departments---South Carolina---Law Enforcement DivisionSouth Dakota------ T ennesseeBureau of Investigation Instant Chec k --- T exas---Department of Public SafetyUtahBureau of Criminal IdentificationBureau of Criminal IdentificationVermont------VirginiaState Police Firearm Transaction Program---Washington291 sheriffs and police departments---West Virginia------WisconsinDepartment of Justice Handgun Hotline---Wyoming---Wyoming Attorney General Background Checks for Firearm Transfers, 2009 - Statistical TablesOctober 2010 29138AlabamaXAlaskaXArizonaXArkansasXCaliforniaXColoradoXConnecticutXDelawareXFloridaXGeorgiaX b IdahoXIllinoisXIndianaX b KansasXKentuckyXLouisianaXMaineXMassachusettsX b MinnesotaXMississippiXMissouriXMontanaX b XAppendix table 2. National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS): Checking agencies -- FBI or State point of contact -- for firearm FBI conducts checks for all firearmsaPOC conducts checks for all firearms POC checks handguns FBI checks long guns Background Checks for Firearm Transfers, 2009 - Statistical TablesOctober 2010NevadaXNew JerseyXNew MexicoX k XNorth Carolina b North DakotaXOhioXOklahomaXOregonXPennsylvaniaXRhode IslandXSouth CarolinaXSouth DakotaX T ennesseeX T exasXUtahXVermontXVirginiaXWest VirginiaXWyomingX Background Checks for Firearm Transfers, 2009 - Statistical TablesOctober 2010 StateType of checkDenying agenc y Other agenc y ArizonaExempt carryXƒXCaliforniaOther approvalXƒƒColoradoInstant checkXƒƒConnecticutInstant checkXƒƒPurchase permitƒXƒDelawareInstant checkXƒXExempt carryƒƒXFloridaInstant checkXƒƒGeorgiaExempt carryƒƒXIllinoisInstant checkXƒXPurchase permitXƒXIowaPurchase permitƒƒXExempt carryƒƒXMarylandOther approvalXƒXMassachusettsPurchase permitƒƒXExempt carryƒƒXMichiganPurchase permitƒƒXExempt carryƒƒXMinnesotaPurchase permitƒƒXExempt carryƒƒXMississippiExempt carryXƒXMontanaExempt carryƒƒXNebraskaPurchase permitƒƒXNevadaInstant checkXƒƒNew HampshireInstant checkXƒXNew JerseyInstant checkXƒƒPurchase permitƒƒXNorth CarolinaPurchase permitƒƒX Background Checks for Firearm Transfers, 2009 - Statistical TablesOctober 2010 p Exempt carryƒƒXNorth DakotaExempt carryƒƒXOregonInstant checkXƒƒPennsylvaniaInstant checkXXXSouth CarolinaExempt carryXƒƒTennesseeInstant checkXƒƒTexasExempt carryƒƒXUtahInstant checkXƒƒExempt carryƒXƒVirginiaInstant checkXƒXWashingtonOther approvalƒƒXWisconsinInstant checkXƒXWyomingExempt carryXƒƒ Background Checks for Firearm Transfers, 2009 - Statistical TablesOctober 2010