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Federal · Final rule · Justice Department

Bipartisan Safer Communities Act of 2022-Criteria for National Instant Criminal Background Check System (“NICS”) Background Checks of Firearm Handlers

Final rule Significant Official data

Last official action: · Record last updated:

Official abstract (Federal Register)

The United States Department of Justice ("Department") is amending several of its regulations pertaining to the National Instant Criminal Background Check System ("NICS" or "system") of the Federal Bureau of Investigation ("FBI") to authorize Federal Firearm Licensees ("FFLs" or "licensees") to use NICS for purposes of voluntarily conducting employment background checks relating to certain current or prospective FFL employees. This final rule describes in more detail how, upon its effective date, FFLs will be able to conduct "firearm handler background checks" ("FHCs") of "eligible employees."

Dates (as published)

This final rule is effective November 27, 2026.

Read the rule on FederalRegister.gov ↗

Sources

  1. Federal Register: 91 FR 67460
  2. Official PDF (GovInfo)
  3. Federal Register API (Office of the Federal Register / GPO)