U.S. Department of Justice
Office of the Chief Information Officer
Office of the Chief Information Officer
Justice Criminal Information Services Training and Learning Center
National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS) — a system used by Federal Firearms Licensees (FFLs) to determine a person's eligibility to buy firearms or explosives, helping to ensure prohibited persons are prevented from purchasing firearms, and to issue firearms-related permits, and manage seized firearms.
| Title | Type | Description |
| Federal Firearms Prohibitor - Mental Health | Fact sheet | Fact sheet, published by ATF, provides information on Federal firearms prohibitor when a person is adjudicated to be a mental defective or is involuntarily committed to a mental institution. |
| Federal Firearms Prohibitor - Misdemeanor Crime of Domestic Violence | Fact sheet | Fact sheet, published by ATF, to clarify when a Misdemeanor Crime of Domestic Violence is a Federal Prohibitor against purchases of firearms. |
| Federal Firearms Prohibitor - Protection Orders | Fact sheet | Fact sheet, published by ATF, provides information on when protection orders result in a Federal firearms prohibitor. |
| Federal Firearms Prohibitor - Unlawful Users of Controlled Substances | Fact sheet | Provides information and scenario examples on the application of NICS Prohibitors for persons who are unlawful users or addicted to controlled substances. |
| Federal Firearms Prohibitors | Manual | Provides a summary of the 10 Federal firearms prohibitors used to deny sale of firearms to a potential purchaser. |
| NICS Indices Reference Guide for Record Entry | Manual | Sets forth the standards for entering records, providing supporting documents, and maintaining records in the NICS Indices. |
| NICS Indices Submissions Reference Guide for Contributors | Manual | Provides guidance for contributors on entering a record submission into the NICS Indices. |
| NICS Overview (11 min.) | Video | Provides an overview of the history and purpose of the NICS Indices, policies and procedures governing the use of the NICS Indices, DOF checks, and entry into the NICS Indices; both for criminal and civil input via LEEP and via NCIC. QNP (Query NICS Denied Person) is covered here also. |
For assistance with the DOJ JCIS Training and Learning Center please contact the DOJ Service Desk at [email protected].
For urgent assistance 24x7, please contact the DOJ Service Desk at 202-616-7100.