How AI describes National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS)

The FBI’s National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS) conducts background checks on people who may be disqualified from receiving firearms or explosives, as required by law. In a typical firearm purchase, a Federal Firearms Licensee submits the buyer’s information to NICS, where staff perform a background check to verify eligibility and deny those with disqualifying records. NICS provides full and partial services to FFLs across most states, offers phone and online check options, maintains denial notifications and the NICS Indices, and supports appeals and other resources for law enforcement and licensees.