Jump to content

Failed background check


Recommended Posts

Hi All - first post and wish it was about my new pistol instead of being a failed background check.

I'm 55, haven't had so much as a speeding ticket in 30 years, I bought a .380 for my wife 3 years ago and this past December (less than 2 months ago) I got my Tennessee handgun carry permit.

Today I went to the LGS and tried to buy a pistol and failed the background check.   I was shocked, came home, and after thinking about it figured that it *had* to be a mistake made by the clerk at the store so I went to another store (further away, lower price) and tried again.   I was denied a second time.

I have absolutely no idea what could be going on.   I have a 100% clean record - spotless and I'm sure of it.   Like I said above, I passed a background check and bought a .380 a few years ago.    The 2nd gun store faxed in the appeal form for me and told me I might hear something by next week.  

Anyone have any ideas what could be going on?

Edited by tbradnc
Link to comment

Welcome and you should file an appeal (I think that's what it's called). It could be that they have you mistaken or more likely, re screened your past and if they found anything that wasn't clear since your youth just denied it if they couldn't get a definitive answer. I've seen that happen. 

The first seller should have offered to do that, as well as the second.  

I would go back to the last one and have them send it in. 

Otherwise, consult a lawyer and pay up to have it remedied. 

Good luck!

 

 

Link to comment

As an exdealer I can tell you this happens far more often than you might think. I probably had 5% denied. Of those probably 80% were cleared up within a week. Don't worry too much about it. There is a good chance it will clear itself up within a week.

  • Like 1
Link to comment

Hello and welcome to TGO. This happened to me on my last gun purchase, an AK47 at Bud's Gun Store when I thought we were gonna have a different president elected, and I also have my HCP and a very clean record. A couple of days went by and I ran across an AK on Armslist at a good price and bought it. Low and behold about 3 days later Bud's calls and says it has been overturned and I can come pick my gun up. I am a Man of my word so I now have two, lol. I asked the super nice feller at Bud's what the problem was, when I went to pick up my second AK lol, and he said it was probably an error on the clerk entering a number wrong but couldn't tell me for sure and gave me a number to call. I called the number, spoke to a couple of different people but nobody could tell me why I got denied nor why it was overturned. To this day I don't know, and may never know, but if it happens again I will find out and get it cleared up if I have to hire an attorney. Good luck to you.

Link to comment

I know this is a reach and probably not it but I have my credit frozen with equifax, experian, and transunion to prevent identity theft - that can't be it can it?   It's the only thing I can come up with.   I've spent some time searching for this and can't find anything so probably not.

I'm 55 years old and the worse thing on my record is a speeding ticket 30 years ago.  

That I failed 2 background checks in one day indicates that the first one wasn't a data entry mistake.

Edited by tbradnc
Link to comment

The two common reasons (besides the obvious) is an arrest that doesn’t show a disposition, or an identity problem. Did you use your social security number? If you have never been arrested it almost has to be an identity issue.

A few of us here have been through this. It’s hard to get information from TBI, but that is who will have to address your concerns.

Link to comment

 I placed a 30 day lift on my credit reports in case that had something to do with it but that's probably like shutting the barn door after the cows are out.

The first application I used my SSN.   The second application I didn't.    I'm going to guess that the 2nd application was automatically denied because the first was. (based on DL number).

Now I guess I'll just have to wait it out.

Link to comment
8 minutes ago, tbradnc said:

 I placed a 30 day lift on my credit reports in case that had something to do with it but that's probably like shutting the barn door after the cows are out.

The first application I used my SSN.   The second application I didn't.    I'm going to guess that the 2nd application was automatically denied because the first was. (based on DL number).

Now I guess I'll just have to wait it out.

I don't think your credit has anything to do with it. 

Here is a link to some FAQ's about it. There is a phone number at the bottom of the page.

https://tn.gov/tbi/article/firearm-background-checks-faqs

 

  • Like 1
Link to comment

Yes, thanks for the link - I read that yesterday.   

At this point I'll just have to wait it out.   The appeal was faxed yesterday and since I have absolutely no reason to be denied there is a 100% chance that this can be cleared up one way or the other.

It's just irritating you know...  I got my carry permit in December and have spent the last 2 months deciding on a pistol and when I'm ready to buy one this happens...   

Link to comment
11 minutes ago, Camaro_nut2001 said:

Thanks for the link Dave!!

You are welcome. I’ve been through this myself. The TBI was pretty much worthless, saying they couldn’t give me any specific information and even though the denials were overturned they can’t keep records. Believe it or not the BATF was who helped me. They told me exactly what was going on and how to fix it.

  • Like 1
Link to comment

Wanted to add this bit of info.   I ordered a background check directly from the TBI yesterday.    They emailed me the results this morning and "The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation found no Tennessee criminal history based on the information provided."

Since I've only lived in TN and haven't been anywhere else it seems unlikely the Feds would have anything different.   

  • Like 1
Link to comment

TBI has a horrible false positive rate, more than twice the NICS system...  You should call your legislators and complain that we're wasting $10 on background checks and they're much more likely to deny somebody the who isn't prohibited than somebody who is...  We'd be better off going to the national system which is free.

  • Like 1
Link to comment

 I wonder sometimes if it could be a partial match that causes the failures. I know I've ran people for warrants through NCIC and will get a hit from a partial match something like DOB match, alias matches this person's real name, or some other stupid stuff and you have to read through like two pages of crap because a date of birth matched the wanted person is who named something crazy when the person stopped is named Tom Smith.

Link to comment
On 2/17/2017 at 4:32 PM, Pain103 said:

 I wonder sometimes if it could be a partial match that causes the failures. I know I've ran people for warrants through NCIC and will get a hit from a partial match something like DOB match, alias matches this person's real name, or some other stupid stuff and you have to read through like two pages of crap because a date of birth matched the wanted person is who named something crazy when the person stopped is named Tom Smith.

I have a buddy who has a valid TN HCP, and every time he goes to buy a firearm in TN he gets rejected, and he has to appeal.  When TBI gets the appeal it's approved every time without them requesting that he provide any documentation, that is except for the couple of times they just loose the appeal, and he has to call and hound them to process it.

Now how exactly does he get a HCP but can't pass the background check to purchase a firearm?  BTW, never been arrested, no warrants ever issued, no valid reason what so ever to deny him.  But he's grow so accustom to the problem that he warns the gun dealer before starting the purchase that it will get denied and it's a mistake, the appeal will go through in 7 to 10 days.  

His main frustration is that they can't be bothered to update their records to note the 'issue' has been resolved in a previous appeal?!?!

And we all get to pay extra for firearms in TN for this crappy service?  BTW which is likely unconstitutional under the state constitution!

Link to comment

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now

TRADING POST NOTICE

Before engaging in any transaction of goods or services on TGO, all parties involved must know and follow the local, state and Federal laws regarding those transactions.

TGO makes no claims, guarantees or assurances regarding any such transactions.

THE FINE PRINT

Tennessee Gun Owners (TNGunOwners.com) is the premier Community and Discussion Forum for gun owners, firearm enthusiasts, sportsmen and Second Amendment proponents in the state of Tennessee and surrounding region.

TNGunOwners.com (TGO) is a presentation of Enthusiast Productions. The TGO state flag logo and the TGO tri-hole "icon" logo are trademarks of Tennessee Gun Owners. The TGO logos and all content presented on this site may not be reproduced in any form without express written permission. The opinions expressed on TGO are those of their authors and do not necessarily reflect those of the site's owners or staff.

TNGunOwners.com (TGO) is not a lobbying organization and has no affiliation with any lobbying organizations.  Beware of scammers using the Tennessee Gun Owners name, purporting to be Pro-2A lobbying organizations!

×
×
  • Create New...

Important Information

By using this site, you agree to the following.
Terms of Use | Privacy Policy | Guidelines
 
We have placed cookies on your device to help make this website better. You can adjust your cookie settings, otherwise we'll assume you're okay to continue.