Gun Control: DOJ Can Further Improve Guidance on Federal Firearm Background Check Records
Abstract
Federal agencies are required to submit relevant records for use by the NICS. The FBI and designated state and local criminal justice agencies use the NICS to conduct background checks on persons seeking to purchase firearms from federally licensed firearms dealers. The Fix NICS Act of 2018 requires the head of each federal department or agency to submit a semiannual written certification to the Attorney General indicating whether it is in compliance with record submission requirements and report related data. GAO was asked to review federal agencies compliance with these requirements. This report examines (1) the number of records federal agencies submitted to databases checked by the NICS from 2010 through 2019, (2) the extent to which DOJ has provided guidance to support federal agency compliance with record submission and reporting requirements, and (3) federal agency plans to address any challenges in submitting records. GAO reviewed relevant laws and DOJ guidance, analyzed NICS data from calendar years 2010 through 2019, and interviewed officials from the five selected federal agencies that submitted the most prohibiting records to NICS as of 2019.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jul 20, 2020
- Accession Number
- AD1123085
Entities
Organizations
- United States Government Accountability Office