Individuals attempting to purchase firearms through a federally licensed dealer (FFL) sometime experience an erroneous denial or delay by the National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS). Denials and delays based on faulty information can be appealed; however the NICS Section cannot retain a record of a successful appeal. Without an updated record, a purchaser will likely face the same denial or delay the next time they attempt to make a purchase requiring a NICS background check.
In order to avoid the appeal process in the future, a Voluntary Appeal File can be created. Voluntary Appeal Files permit applicants to request that NICS maintain information about themselves in the file to prevent future erroneous denials or extended delays of a firearm transfer.
For more information about Voluntary Appeal Files, please click here.