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Background Checks for Firearm Transfers, 2007 - Statistical Tables

Criminal record systems


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Background Checks for Firearm Transfers, 2007 - Statistical Tables


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Table 8. ATF investigation of National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS) denials by the FBI, 2007

  Total Percent

FBI denials referred to ATF Brady Operations 73,992 100 %
Brady Operations referred to ATF field divisionsa  
  Total referred to fieldb 6,275 8.5 %
    Delayed denialsc 2,566 3.5  
    Standard referralsd 3,709 5.0  
  Not referred to field 62,188 84.0  
  Not referred and overturned 5,529 7.5  
 
  Reasons for referrals to ATF field divisions      
    Domestic violence misdemeanor 1,739 27.7 %
    Convicted felon 1,605 25.6  
    Subject to protective order 1,421 22.6  
    Under indictment or informatione 573 9.1  
    Unlawful user of controlled substance 485 7.7  
    Other reasonsf 452 7.2  

Note: Total may not add to 100% due to rounding.
aA denial is referred if it is likely to merit prosecution under ATF and U.S. Attorney criteria.
bIncludes 100 delayed and 334 standard denials overturned after referral to a field division when a subject was found to not be prohibited.
cA firearm may be obtained during an "open transaction" where the FBI has not completed a check in three business days and the dealer is allowed to transfer the firearm. If the FBI completes the check and finds that the buyer is prohibited, a delayed denial referral is made to ATF.
dA standard referral involves a person who is not allowed to receive a firearm because the FBI found a prohibitory record within three business days.
eAn “information” is a formal accusation of a crime, which differs from an “indictment,” because it is made by a prosecuting attorney rather than a grand jury.
fThe category "other reasons" is compiled from seven other prohibiting categories utilized by the Brady Operations Branch to refer denials for field investigation.
Source: Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, Brady Operations Branch.



See also Methodology

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Page last revised on July 16, 2008