The Oregon State Police, Firearms Instant Check System (FICS) reports a 57% increase as of the end of September over the same period last year. That’s 310,570 people buying firearms this year.

In step with the Governor’s COVID-19 shut down in March, gun sales went from a modest increase to a 78% jump. Staying around that level until the special session in June calling for police restrictions, sales increased to 107%. Oregon Firearms Federation reported 5000 people waiting in the “queue” for a background check. The increases have continued at 49% last month.

In March, FICS began temporarily discontinuing phone transactions and shifted resources toward online submissions to expedite the process. While gun sales are at an all-time high, Oregon’s FICS for background checks is in the worst shape ever as 65% of the employees work from home with no reliable access to the system and no cell phone access to the system. To complicate resources, four background examiners took extended COVID FMLA/OFIA leave March-May, plus two resignations. The remaining 22 background examiners are expected to clear an average of 1,133 per day, a 57% increase from 2019. Of those 94% are approved.

A common reason for delay in approval is a “near hit” on the name, DOB or SSN# typed into the transaction, incorrect information. Or need to update information. These have to be reviewed by the FICS staff even if the applicant does not have a criminal history. There were 91 denied for mental health adjudication. However, the most common reason for denial is from a convicted felon or on probation with other criminal activities making up the rest of the list. Ninety guns were determined to be stolen.

Oregon State Police list their obligations as:

• They are required by law to maintain a system for conducting criminal background checks for federally licensed gun dealers and private parties to sell or transfer firearms to another person.
• They must determine whether the person receiving the firearm is qualified or disqualified to complete the sale or transfer.
• They also must check to make sure the firearm is not stolen.
• They are required by law to do so in 30 minutes or less. If we cannot meet the timeline, we will provide an estimate of time when we think the check will be completed by to the seller.

While law enforcement is being restricted by the majority party in the legislature, violence escalates, leaving many law-abiding citizens struggling to have the means to defend their homes. At least we don't have background checks for ammo... If you can still find it.


--Donna Bleiler

Post Date: 2020-10-05 23:22:13

Last Update: 2020-10-06 02:52:56