Florida's NICS Act Record Improvement Program, FY 2019

The NICS Improvement Amendments Act of 2007, P. L. 110-180 ("NIAA"), was initially signed into law by the President on January 8, 2008 (reauthorized by Title VI of the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2018, P.L. 115-141). The NIAA amends the Brady Handgun Violence Prevention Act of 1993 ("the Brady Act") (Pub. L. 103-159), under which the Attorney General established the National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS). The Brady Act requires Federal Firearms Licensees (FFLs) to contact the NICS before transferring a firearm to an unlicensed person for information on whether the proposed transferee is prohibited from receiving or possessing a firearm under state or federal law. The NIAA authorizes grants to be made in a manner consistent with the National Criminal History Improvement Program (NCHIP).

The Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) requests funds to: 1) expand the current Electronic Warrants and Protection Orders Data Exchange System to integrate electronic risk project orders and search and seizure warrants; 2) hire OPS staff to identify, retrieve, and enter criminal processes starting with an arrest into the criminal history database and make corrections to the arrest records on file; 3) enhance staff in the firearms eligibility division to assist with increases in volume of firearm-related background checks; and 4) continue the partnership with Broward County clerk of court to research historical disposition records.

(CA/NCF)