Delays in background checks affect Delaware handgun purchases

The Delaware State Police through the State Bureau of Identification said handgun transactions not approved and completed before Nov. 16, due to delays in the federally required National Instant Criminal Background Check System, must now be completed with a permit to purchase, unless exempt under Delaware law.

Officials said if an NICS result did not return a “proceed” and the transfer was not completed before Nov. 16, Delaware law now requires a permit to complete the transfer, unless the transferee has a valid CCDW issued by the Superior Court of Delaware under state code.

NICS is administered by the FBI under federal law, officials said, and NICS determinations and timing are made by the FBI. 

Delaware officials said purchasers affected by the delay can apply at the Permit to Purchase Portal at dsp.delaware.gov/p2p-applicant-portal. Step-by-step instructions are available on the Permit to Purchase website, officials said, and paper applications are also available at all DSP troops.

For more information, go to the Permit to Purchase website; call the helpline at 302-741-2800, which is open 9 a.m. to 9 p.m., Monday through Saturday, and 9 a.m. to 7 p.m., Sundays; or email dsp_sbip2pmail@delaware.gov.