Avoiding Background Check Delays with Firearms Purchasers of firearms who find themselves the victim of erroneous information that wrongly delays or prevents a legal firearms purchase now have a remedy to speed up future gun buys. The FBI's National Instant Criminal Background Check, or NICS system, will keep permanently on file documents and other information for lawful purchasers who have a name and birth date similar to those of prohibited persons or might otherwise be confused with someone who may not legally buy a firearm. For information about how to authorize creation of a Voluntary Appeal File to prevent wrongful denials, visit the Web site of the National Association of Firearms Retailers at http://www.nafr.org/NICS/.