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NICS Act Record Improvement Program (NARIP)

Description

The National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS) Act Record Improvement Program (NARIP) was originally authorized under the NICS Improvement Amendments Act of 2007 (NIAA), P.L. 110-180. The NIAA was enacted in the wake of the April 2007 shooting tragedy at Virginia Tech. The Virginia Tech shooter was able to purchase firearms from an FFL because information about his prohibiting mental health history was not available to the NICS, and the system was therefore unable to deny the transfer of the firearms used in the shootings. The NIAA seeks to address gaps in information available to NICS about such prohibiting mental health adjudications and commitments and other prohibiting backgrounds. Both the NCHIP and NARIP were reauthorized under Title VI (Fix NICS Act) of the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2018 (P.L. 115-141).

Please visit the State Profiles page to learn more about BJS criminal record improvement activities in the states and territories.

For information about current and past NCHIP funding announcements, see Funding & Awards

 

Date Created: March 3, 2021