CO Firearms Background Checks: Wait Times Increase Amid Surge
LAKEWOOD, CO — A "tremendous" surge of requests for firearm background checks in Colorado has led to extended wait times, the Colorado Department of Investigation said. Over the past week, the bureau's InstaCheck Unit received 12,266 background checks for firearms transfers, compared to 6,499 received in the same timeframe last year, officials said.
The sustained demand has resulted in a queue of 9,257, with an average turnaround time of around six days — double the federal regulation of three days, the bureau said.
"... which means it becomes the discretion of Federal Firearms Licensees to release firearms outside of this window," the bureau said in a statement. "However, the CBI strongly encourages firearms dealers to hold firearms until background checks are completed. "
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"The CBI is committed to performing background checks as quickly and efficiently as possible, as evidenced by InstaCheck's average turnaround of less than eight minutes prior to COVID-19. That being said, the circumstances impacting communities across the state and the nation have posed significant challenges. The CBI continues to implement adjustments to address the demand, and appreciates the patience of FFL's and their customers."
Spikes and delays in background checks for firearms transfers are being reported nationwide.
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This article originally appeared on the Lakewood Patch
