NRA-ILA has received a number of questions on the status of the National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS) in the case of a government shutdown.
Law enforcement activities are designated as essential services and do not shut down even if the Congress and President fail to agree on funding legislation. The NICS system will continue to operate.
NRA-ILA will keep watch on NICS operations if there is a shutdown to alert our members if there is any impact, such as a slowdown in response times.
NICS Will Continue to Operate if There Is a Government Shutdown

Friday, September 27, 2013
Thursday, February 11, 2021
All gun control bills share the same basic goal: a world in which fewer people own firearms. Some bills simply ban certain types of firearms or ammunition outright. Others place obstacles in the path of ...
Tuesday, March 2, 2021
According to reports from Capitol Hill, the Democrat-controlled U.S. House of Representatives plans to vote on two gun control bills as early as next week. The first bill, so-called “universal” background check legislation, would criminalize ...
Monday, March 1, 2021
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Monday, March 1, 2021
This week, hearings were held on the nomination of Merrick Garland for U.S. attorney general, with a final vote on confirmation expected to come next week. The prospect for gun owners is that the nation’s ...
Friday, February 5, 2021
Much is being said about H.R. 127 By Shelia Jackson Lee (D-TX) 117th Congress and we have had many folks contacting us seeking information.