A planned update to the FBI’s National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS) is now set for January of 2016.
Originally slated for July 2015, the delay is to prevent interruptions of FFL background checks in the busy fall (hunting) season and holiday firearms sales. These periods are generally “peak season” for NICS use.
The delay will also permit employees to better learn the changes and cut down on errors. There’s also concern about a significant election-year bump in sales: The FBI wants the “New NICS” to be able to handle an anticipated spike in advance of the 2016 presidential election.
