In Tennessee, all prospective gun buyers or those redeeming a firearm from pawn from a licensed firearm dealer are required to undergo a background check via the Tennessee Instant Check System (TICS) which is administered by the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation (TBI). The TBI publishes statistics on the number of background checks performed for the year.  The statistics include monthly and annual totals for the number of checks/transactions processed, the number of firearms processed (some purchasers may purchase more than one gun as a single transaction), the number of transactions that are denied, the number of stolen guns identified and the number of wanted people identified through the background checks process.

Anyone who feels that their denial was in error may appeal the decision.  Some denials may be overturned.  Possible reasons for being denied include:

> Convicted of a felony

Convicted in any court of a crime which is punishable by a term of more than one year or a misdemeanor punishable by more than two years.

> Indicted for a crime punishable by more than one year

> A fugitive from justice

> A user of illegal drugs or an addict

> Involuntarily committed to a mental institution

> An illegal alien

> Dishonorably discharged from the armed forces

> Renounced U.S. citizenship

> Subject to a restraining order for threatening a family member

> Convicted of domestic violence

>Under an indictment, but not convicted, of a crime carrying a possible year-long prison sentence

TENNESSEE BACKGROUND CHECKS

Source: Tennessee Bureau of Investigation