2013 Improving the Completeness of Firearm Background Checks through Enhanced State Data Sharing

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 to improve the availability, accuracy, timeliness, and completeness of court dispositions and felony and misdemeanor warrant records, as well as updating the firearms prohibition records. The funds will also be used to update and reprogram the Judicial Branch database to improve data collection and transmission, functions, and for automation. CA/NCF