NICS and Collaborative Efforts in Maryland

The Office of Justice Programs funds the National Criminal History Improvement Program (NCHIP) and the National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS) Act Record Improvement Program (NARIP). Both of these programs provide essential support and guidance to improve reporting of criminal history and related records used for background checks conducted through the Federal Bureau of Investigation's (FBI) NICS, for individuals seeking to purchase certain firearms. Recent acts of violence have focused national attention on the urgent need to close several persistent information gaps remaining in the background check process. The Bureau of Justice Assistance, in close coordination with Bureau of Justice Statistics and the FBI, is funding a one-time grant program to complement the ongoing NCHIP and NARIP programs by improving and expanding the data accessible to NICS at the time of a firearm background check to ensure lawful purchases.

The grantee will utilize funds for two projects to improve the safety and security of Maryland citizens by enhancing the quality, completeness, and accessibility of the State's criminal history records. The Department of Public Safety and Correctional Services will determine the disposition of approximately 20,000 arrest records and the Maryland State Police will automate the query process necessary to provide a criminal background check of applicants of a firearm purchase. CA/NCF