TBI Increase Information Needed to run background Checks

[Tim Nunan]

Got this from another gun forum; can't verify validity but if true it needs to be investigated. - Tim
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Folks, I am passing this along from a source that must remain anonymous. Suffice it to say that they are part of the TICS chain and cannot allow their identity to be made public.

It's worth reading!


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TBI Increase Information Needed to run background Checks/TBI Computer problems cause delays in sales!

About two weeks ago TBI's TICS unit sent an email telling every FFL dealer processing firearms transaction over the web they would now be required to submit the buyers current physical address. This has never been required before, isnt required in the Tn State law or Federal law. It isnt required by the Federal NICS system either. The only time the buyers address is needed by either instant checking agency is when that persons background check is denied. These denied transactions are about 6% of transactions ran by TICS. The address is then only needed to mail out appeal information to the customer. NICS, the Federal system only asked for the address when the customer is denied, this was also the practice of TBI until a few weeks ago.

This burden and extra work have basically been put on the shoulders of this states gun dealers. TBI's TICS unit already has this information, they get it when the FFL dealer inputs the required customers state ID number. So why do they need it yet again? This appears because TICS employees conducting the call backs for denied background checks are evidently too lazy to input/transfer the address information themselves. So in short the hundreds of Tn FFL dealers have to do it for them and input all the address information for everyone buying a gun. Only 6% will actually ever be needed. This means 94% of this information will never be used but has to be inputted anyway. Why?

While all of this has been going on the past few weeks, TBI's servers have went down numerous times causing huge delays. As of March 28th the TBI's computer input system is totally down. This means all Tn FFL holders have been sitting on the phone on hold for 30-45 minutes waiting on TBI to answer to give the TBI the customers information. This is very frustrating for customers and Tn FFL dealers especially with gun shows going on this weekend. When asked TBI's TICS unit tells Dealers the computers may be down for several more days.

In the current economic climate the firearms industry is one of few thriveing... sending $10 for every firearm purchase to the State of Tennessee. You would think the TBI's TICS unit would look at the big picture and get their own house's performance in order instead of looking to put additional work on Tn FFL dealers by adding information that will probably never be needed. This very legislative session is dealing with eliminating fingerprint card requirements in the current TICS checking process. But yet TICS sees the need to add even more useless requirements? Does anyone see a problem with this? Its like taking two steps forward and three back.

I'd suggest everyone call their State Senator and Representative too see what can be done. This is an example of authority running amuck by leaders in government positions. These actions appear to be from an individual in TBI/TICS making up their own rules, with great disregard to the requirements of the state and federal law. There is no need for them to be requiring more information then they need to run simple background checks, especially when its not required by law.


We also need inquire as to why TBI's performance is not on the same level as the federal NICS system. The funds received by the background checks ($10) are legally supposed to be used to make system upgrades and such. Evidently they are not.

Basically if TBI's TICS unit cant financially support itself or serve the people of the State of Tennessee, then maybe its time to eliminate the TICS unit and go to the federal NICS system. This move would automatically save all Tn. gun buyers the $10 transaction fee per purchase. A fee all most other gun buyers in the United States are not being charged.

Let your voices be heard!

[KevinMcCauley]

Interesting....and troubling. I've always been suspect as to why they record the serial number of the firearm. What do they need that for? Seems like defacto national registration to me...

[photoguy67]

Ok, who do we contact about this? I personally think the entire thing is just wrong, why should we have to get the governments approval to exercise a constitutional right? To look at it from a different angle, replace guns with bible.
Billy

[johnharris]