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Information Systems Division
Firearm Purchase Background Checks
TBI Instant Check System (TICS)
In response to the Brady Handgun Violence Prevention Act, the Tennessee State Legislature incorporated the federal legislation into the Tennessee gun transfer statute with an amendment. The TBI Instant Check System (TICS) began operation on November 1, 1998. This amendment requires that TBI establish and maintain a background check system that meets or exceeds the requirements established by the Brady Act for continuing recipient background checks on all firearm transactions except those specifically excluded by law.
To conduct a background check on an individual before a firearm is purchased in Tennessee, a Federal Firearms Licensee contacts the TBI. The TICS Unit runs a check including a National Instant Check System (NICS) check on a prospective gun purchaser from a licensed firearm dealer or to redeem a firearm from pawn from a licensed firearm dealer. To meet the federal and state requirements, TICS accesses the following databases:
Tennessee Criminal History Repository
File maintained by the TBI and supported by arrest fingerprint cards. Persons who are convicted felons cannot legally possess a firearm.
State of Tennessee Orders of Protection
Data entered, maintained and deleted by Tennessee law enforcement agencies (generally Sheriff’s departments) on persons against whom a restraining order has been issued by a judge. Active protection orders, which meet state or federal laws, will disqualify an individual from obtaining a firearm.
National Crime Information Center
Database maintaining files on wanted persons, protection orders, deported felons, U.S. Secret Service Protective (persons who may pose a threat to the President and/or others afforded protection by the U.S. Secret Service), foreign fugitives, SENTRY File (persons currently under supervision of the Federal Bureau of Prisons), Convicted Person on Supervised Release File and the Convicted Sexual Offender Registry.
Interstate Identification Index
The national repository for criminal history record information.
National Instant Check System (NICS)
The federal instant background check system maintained by the FBI. It houses databases on Denied Persons, Illegal/Unlawful Aliens, Controlled Substance Abusers, Dishonorable Dischargees, Citizenship renunciants and Mental Defectives/Commitments.
