What year did BG checks start?

[outwest]

I was talking to a fellow shooter the other day and we were trying to remember what year the government started the background check and registration for gun purchases BS.
Neither of us could remember.
Anyone know?

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[VinnieBoomBah]

1968

 

[Nutty4Guns]

NICS started in 1998

 

[outwest]

I think it was later than 1968 cause I bought and sold a few guns in the 70's and later and don't remember filling out any papers for any checks.

 

[Nutty4Guns]

98, not 68

 

[Alexx1401]

I think it was later than 1968 cause I bought and sold a few guns in the 70's and later and don't remember filling out any papers for any checks.

When GCA 68 went is at first it was just dealers who had an FFL. For a long time most states still allowed us to buy and sell to each other. Then there has been a never ending bunch of new laws with a lot of the gun community going along for "compromise". Few seem to notice the compromise always goes only one way, we lose and the criminals could care less.

 

[Joe13]

2014 is when private party parking lot meet ups ended and we started to have to use FFLs if that is the answer you are looking for

 

[TTSX]

Sounds like mental masturbation and a moot point on the West Coast.

 

[nammac]

The Brady act, upon its implementation made background checks required for transfers from/through an FFL in 1994.

The federal firearms transfer form (4473) was implemented with the 1968 Gun Control Act.

 

[Andy54Hawken]

"liked" @Joe13 'Cause that is the answer to the OP's question.
That said...I still don't like the answer...

BGC 's are useless ....'Cept for putting money in someone else's pocket.

BGC's and their related fees , have made it a hardship to purchase a firearm.
A targeted ( pun intended ) hardship that places a burden on a specific part of our population....
If that were to be done to some group of people , other than firearm owners , someone would call that.... discrimination .

That said...
Here in Washington we do not have an official firearm registration......yet.

However...since all firearms now need to go through an FFL and require a form 4473....
That is , in my mind at least , a de facto registration...since it lists the make , Model and serial number of the firearm transferred...
Along with the buyer's information.

Andy

 

[Knobgoblin]

"liked" @Joe13 'Cause that is the answer to the OP's question.
That said...I still don't like the answer...

BGC 's are useless ....'Cept for putting money in someone else's pocket.

BGC's and their related fees , have made it a hardship to purchase a firearm.
A targeted ( pun intended ) hardship that places a burden on a specific part of our population....
If that were to be done to some group of people , other than firearm owners , someone would call that.... discrimination .

That said...
Here in Washington we do not have an official firearm registration......yet.

However...since all firearms now need to go through an FFL and require a form 4473....
That is , in my mind at least , a de facto registration...since it lists the make , Model and serial number of the firearm transferred...
Along with the buyer's information.

Andy

WA state has also had a separate form for handgun purchases that does go into a state database. This retains the serial number, attaching the purchaser by name.
That form was applied to certain rifles as well, starting in the 20teens. It's a state registry in every way.

 

[kenboy]

I believe August 2015 was when parking lot transfers actually ended.

 

[VinnieBoomBah]

the government

OP is in WA, some of the answers are for OR as well as national, so knowing which guberment would help tighten things up

 

[Quirt Evans]

I forgot the years, but their was a period where if you had a CHL you only did the 4473 and not the NICS.

 

[RVTECH]

The Brady act, upon its implementation made background checks required for transfers from/through an FFL in 1994.

And lets not forget the 10 day waiting period for handguns prior to this.

I do. I had to wait for a few during this time.

 

[lucusloc]

I was talking to a fellow shooter the other day and we were trying to remember what year the government started the background check and registration for gun purchases BS.
Neither of us could remember.
Anyone know?

lol, as the comments above demonstrate it really matters what you mean; do you mean when BGCs first became mandated in law at all? Or when the current system came into effect? Or when private party transfers ended in your state, effectively mandating that all sales go through a BGC?

The implementation of BGCs has been incremental, and there have been a number of revisions to the system on both state and federal levels. Some states run their own systems that get updates that differ from federal level BGC laws and regulations, further complicating the history of how they might impact you specifically.

You are really going to have to specify what you mean to get a solid answer.

 

[Mark W.]

The part of all this stupidity that completely baffles me is how a BGC can have any effect once someone owns a firearm. I own multiple firearms. So how would running me through a BGC help stop me from shooting anyone including myself? Most of the guys I know own more firearms then they could carry at one time so how does making sure the new one is going to a NON unsafe person help anything.

 

[The Heretic]

2014 is when private party parking lot meet ups ended and we started to have to use FFLs if that is the answer you are looking for

IIRC, it was 2015 for Oregon

 

[Camelfilter]

IIRC, it was 2015 for Oregon

Yah, I believe passed/signed in '14, started summer '15…

 

[lucusloc]

The part of all this stupidity that completely baffles me is how a BGC can have any effect once someone owns a firearm. I own multiple firearms. So how would running me through a BGC help stop me from shooting anyone including myself? Most of the guys I know own more firearms then they could carry at one time so how does making sure the new one is going to a NON unsafe person help anything.

See, now you are trying to bring a modicum of logic into it. You can't do that with illiberal laws, they don't work on those principles.

IIRC, it was 2015 for Oregon

Same for WA state, where the OP is from. Passed in 2014, taking effect Dec. of that same year. In May 2027 their license-to-purchase law is going into effect. This license will be valid for 5 years, regardless of if other firearms are owned. Oregon's own permit system remains on hold in the courts, with no known implementation date that I am aware of. Perhaps WA gun owners will be so lucky when their time comes.