New FBI NICS Proceed 24-Hour Destruction Period

Section 617 of the 2004 Consolidated Appropriations Bill, passed by congress in January, dictates that the NICS implement a 24-Hour destruction period by July 21, 2004. This requires the destruction of all identifying information in the NICS Audit Log relating to a lawful purchase within 24 hours of delivering the "proceed" message to the Federal Firearms Licensee (FFL).

FFLs will no longer be able to contact the FBI NICS Section and reference a previously Proceeded NICS Transaction Number (NTN) to a current delayed NTN, on the same subject, to help expedite the final status on the delayed transaction. Within 24 hours after the FFL is notified of the Proceed status (by the start of the next business day at 8:00 a.m.), information will be purged from the system and the FBI NICS will only maintain non-identifying information on the Proceeded transaction. The FBI NICS will not have access to any of the buyers identifying information (name, social security number, miscellaneous numbers, and etc.) after the FFL being notified of the Proceed status.

Should you have any questions regarding the new 24-Hour destruction, you may contact the NICS Customer Service at (877) 444-6427. As always, the NICS Section appreciates your continued cooperation and dedication in the furtherance of public safety.