2011 Firearm Inquiry Statistics (FIST) Program

The Regional Justice Information Service (REJIS), an officially recognized criminal justice agency, is serving as the collection and analysis center for receiving and processing Firearm Inquiry Statistics (FIST) data from participating state and local agencies, and relevant federal agencies. Under this award REJIS will: 1) collaborate with BJS to define and implement the sampling plan and methodology for collecting and analyzing data on firearm background check activities; 2) develop and implement an electronic or web-based data collection form for use by respondents as part of a multi-mode collection system; 3) continue to measure the impact of the Brady Act by incorporating the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS) data and data on denials and appeals obtained from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF) to conduct detailed analyses on the background check process for firearm transfers and post-denial activities; 4) prepare 2010 statistical tables of annual statistics (applications, denials, reasons for denials, and appeals) on background checks for firearm transfers; and 5) produce the fifth edition of the Enforcement of the Brady Act report to report on ATF investigations and U.S. Attorney prosecutions of persons who were denied a firearm in 2010. CA/NCF