by smurfman on Thu Oct 15, 2020 6:55 pm
The most common source of denials - not delays- that I have seen has been due to how the purchaser answered questions on the 4473. There are a couple that result in an automatic denial depending on the answer.
The second most common cause for a denial was a long forgotten offense that currently excludes one from purchasing a firearm though it did not do so in the past. I have seen two that have had their rights restored by the state for a minor felony but the Feds do not recognize state restorations per the one.
I have not knowingly seen a denial due to similar names and believe that the odds of such happening seem mighty slim. It may have happened more frequently in the past but the information available online today is much more extensive than even a decade ago. As an example, for 12 years I lived in the same postal code as a felon with whom I shared the same first and last names plus middle initial with a birthday 6 days apart and have not experienced a firearms purchase denial or even delay. And I do not list my SSN on the 4473. Several times I have had a Junior or Senior purchase a firearm and express a worry that the father or son with a record may affect the background check though everything went fine. The only ATF PIN I have seen was in such a case.
There is a number one can call the FBI regarding questions on a denial. I don't know the number offhand but it is in a pamphlet we give the customer if they ask. It can also be found on line through the FBI website.