How Long Does a Gun Background Check Take? 2025 Updates!

  • by Admin 1
How Long Does a Gun Background Check Take? 2025 Updates!

TLDR: 

Firearm background checks are mandatory for firearm purchases from licensed dealers. The process, which typically takes just minutes to complete, is conducted through the National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS). However, it can be delayed if further investigation is needed. These checks review various aspects of a buyer's background, including criminal records, mental health history, and citizenship status. It's important to note that some states have additional waiting periods, which can range from 3 to 14 days. If a buyer is denied, they have the option to appeal the decision. Given that firearm laws can vary significantly by state, it's crucial to familiarize yourself with local regulations before attempting to purchase a gun.

If you’re in the new market for a rifle or handgun, you may know about the background check you’ll need to submit to complete the transaction. The U.S. legislature put background checks in effect to limit access to firearms to individuals with a criminal record. 

How Long Does a Background Check Take for a Gun?

Whether you’re purchasing from a private seller through a Federal Firearms Licensee (FFL) or a gun shop, you’ll need to fill out a background check to complete the transaction. 

Before you complete the process, you may be wondering about questions like: “How long does a background check take for a gun?”, “What do gun background checks entail?”, “Do gun background checks include questions about mental health?”, and “What happens if you fail a firearm background check?”

As of 2024–2025, a new federal rule now mandates background checks for most internet and gun‑show firearm sales—closing the “gun show loophole.”

Keep reading to learn more about the answers to these questions!

History of the Gun Background Check Process

Before jumping into the nitty gritty of gun background check wait times, it’s important to first examine gun background check laws and why they came about. The first notable firearm regulation was the National Firearms Act of 1934, which placed tax and registration requirements on specific firearm types. Lawmakers created this act in an effort to limit gang violence. 

In 1993 the U.S. established the Brady Handgun Violence Prevention Act. This act requires namechecks of all firearm purchases from Federal Firearms Licensees. But what is a NICS check? NICS stands for theNational Instant Criminal Background Check System,which FFLs use to see if a potential buyer has a criminal background or other history that would make them unsafe to purchase a gun.

2025 Update:

ATF has eased restrictions on what state permits can substitute for a NICS check. As of May 2025, several states’ concealed-carry permits—including those from Alabama, Michigan, Indiana, Missouri, and others—may now be accepted by FFLs in lieu of a NICS check, even if previously excluded. 

ATF Form 4473 - Personal Information Questions

When you meet with the FFL, you will complete Section B of an ATF Form 4473. This form contains questions about:

  • Criminal record
  • Mental health
  • History with the Armed Forces
  • Citizenship

After you complete this part of the form, the seller and FFL will complete the rest. 

Wait Time for Firearm Background Check Results

Once you’ve completed everything on your end, how long does a gun background check take? If you don’t run into any hiccups, the assessment can run in minutes. However, if there is a NICS e-check delay and it doesn’t respond within three days of the background check, the FFL can choose to complete the transaction unless prohibited by state law or hold the firearm. 

Reasons for NICS Delays

If the background check doesn’t go through immediately, the request most likely ended up with one of these two results:

  • Delayed status: The NCIS team needs to do further research to verify your background.

  • Denied status: Your information matches a profile that has a state or federal firearm prohibition. If the NICS denied your request, there are a few steps you can take to appeal your status.

Are There Other Waiting Periods for Purchasing Firearms?

In most states, there aren’t any waiting periods for purchasing a firearm. Six states place waiting periods on the purchase of all guns. Five other states delay transactions for specific types of firearms. These periods can last from three to 14 days. Make sure to research the state’s purchase laws to be prepared for delays in your transaction. Here is a guide to state gun laws.

National Trends & Data (2025)

  • Background checks via NICS are showing a sustained downward trend. For instance, April 2025 saw a 3.4% year-over-year decline in NSSF‑adjusted figures. Source
  • March 2025: about 1.39 million adjusted NICS checks. Source
  • May 2025: approximately 1.07 million, down 1.6% from a year earlier. Source
  • February 2025: 1.22 million, marking a 9% decrease from February 2024. Source

Safely Store a Newly Purchased Firearm

If you’ve recently purchased a new firearm, you need to keep it secure yet accessible in an emergency. Concealment flags, wall art, furniture and decor are the perfect way to store your new gun. Check out Liberty Home Concealment’s products today to find the ideal storage solution for your firearm. If you have a question about our offerings, visit the contact us page to get in touch with us.

 

Previous     Next
Back to Articles

Hanging instructions for the Patriot Wall Shelf

Factors to consider befor you start

Installing a Patriot wall shelf can be a very simple project but there are several factors that you need to understand. our shelves have been designed to work with standard pine 2X4 construction that was 16" on center. Because they were designed around the 16" on center pine 2X4 framed walls that is the process for our instructions. Installing the shelves on amy other type of wall is done at your risk. Liberty Home Concealment does not advise you to attempt installing your shelf onto amy other type of wall.

Understanding what is beneath your walls

Anytime you are doing work or attaching something to a wall it is wise to have a solid grasp of what lies beneath the surface of your walls. If you are not comfortable with the task of hanging a shelf on your wall perhaps it would be wise to hire a licensed, bonded, and insured contractor to install the shelf on the wall for you. There are many factors that you should consider prior to beginning yur shelf installation. SAFETY is the first and top priority.

Safety First

As a consurmer of Liberty Home Concealment, it is a safe assumption that you are a gun owner. Liberty Home Concealment sincerely hopes that you have a great grasp of the concept of SAFETY FIRST. The installation of our shelves requires several steps and we highly recommend that you have a friend help you with the installation. This is very important as the size and moving parts of the shelves can make the installation very cumbersome and potentially dangerous for a single person to accomplish by themselves. So please, we urge you to get some help. Secondly, proper tools that are in good serviceable condition are a must. Please use your tools in a manner consistent with the manufacturers intended use. Using proper tools can make the installation quick, simple and enjoyable. But most importantly, SAFE. So, save yourself the trouble and use the proper tools.

CAUTION!!

Failure to follow and comply with these instructions could result in INJURY and even DEATH!

Tools that should be considered for a safe proper installation

Stud finder, Tape measure, Pencil, Level, Electric screw driver, and Safety glasses.

Step 1

Confirm your desired wall has adequate support by finding the studs with the stud finder. Also, remove the foam insert until later instruction. Mark your stud locations and transfer those measurement onto your shelf. Drill pilot holes through shelf in marked locations. We recommend using a 1/8" or 3/16" bit for the pilot hole. A hole too big will allow the screw to pull right through the back of the shelf. That would be bad. And unnecessary. Please use the proper drill bit. Depending on your wall you should be able to locate at least two studs to anchor your shelf into for maximum strength. Some walls may even allow for three studs to be anchored into. The shelf MUST use at LEAST (2) pine 2X4 studs and the shelf bracket's to fully support the finished loaded weight.

Step 2

With the help of a friend, and using a level and your original measurements hold the shelf in its desired location and transfer the pilot hole locations to the wall. You should be using a minimum of two studs for this step. Each stud receiving (3) screw locations. Two internally, and the other two in the brackets on top. For now, only focus on marking the internal locations. Mark the four internal screw holes. Make sure to hold your shelf nice and level for this step or yur final installation will be crooked.

Step 3

With the help of a friend, hold the shelf into its' mounting location. Line up the holes in the shelf with the marks in your wall and your wall anchors, and install the six long wood screws into the wall. Four into two different studs, and two into the wall anchors.

Step 4

Installing the shelf brackets to the TOP of your shelf. At this point your shelf is attatched to the wall but it is not ready for any weight. Please DO NOT ADD ANY WEIGHT until you have firmly mounted and anchored your brackets into the top. Have your friend help you support the weight of the shelf until you can get the brackets tightly mounted to the desired location on your wall studs. Again, use two studs. Do not add weight to your shelf either inside, or on top, until both brackets are fully installed. Using the supplied 3/4" screws attach brackets to the top of the shelf and 2 of the longer screws for the stud attachment.

Step 5

Unlocking your shelf. Use your magnetic key to locate and unlock the bottom of the shelf. Do this while the shelf is open so you can see what is going on. You may even want ot make two small marks on the bottom of the shelf if it helps you to locate the pickup. It will take a little practice to find the location of the magnetic pick up but you will find it. Make sure you aren't inadvertently trying to unlock the gas damper. Once the location of the lock pickup is located, the magnet will hold itself in place. However, the shelf will not fully disengage the locks until you release the pressure on the locks by lifting the shelf slightly upward with a simple squeeze of your hands. Once you hear the audible clicks of the locks disengaging you can slowly open the shelf allowing the gas damper to lower the shelf to its resting stop.

Concealment Picture Frame Installation Instructions

Consider What is Beneath Your Walls

Anytime you are doing work or attaching something to a wall it is wise to have a solid grasp of what lies beneath the surface of your walls. If you are not comfortable with the task of cutting a hole in a wall perhaps it would be wise to hire a licensed, bonded, and insured contractor to install this item in the wall for you. There are many factors that you should consider prior to beginning your shelf installation. SAFETY is the first and top priority. CAUTION!! Failure to follow and comply with these instructions could result in INJURY or even DEATH!!

Recommended Tools

These tools are not required to install your Liberty Home Concealment picture freame however they will help with the installation process. Stud Finder, tape measure, level, pencil, jigsaw, circular saw, keyhole saw, Sawzall, drill/driver, inspection mirror, flashlight and a second set of hands to help with marking your wall before cutting. These products were designed to work with "standard" 2X4 construction that was framed on 16" centers.

Step 1

Acquire all the tools to complete the job. Do not forget about proper personal protective gear.

Step 2

Confirm that your wall space is empty!! Failure to do so could result in serious injury or even death!

Step 3

Clean your work area around your desired install location. Cover any furniture with a tarp, drop cloth, or painter's plastic to aid in quick easy cleanup.

Step 4

Use a stud finder to locate the space between two studs. Confirm that you have 14.5" between the two stud edges before marking and cutting your walls.

Step 5

The back box of your picture frame is the size you need to make your hole. Hold picture frame tight against the wall and use your level to ensure frame is sitting level against the wall. On smaller sized picture frames such as 5"X7" and 8"X10" you will fasten to both studs. While holding the picture frame tight against the wall while checking for level and trace around the outside perimeter of the picture frames back box.

Step 6

Before cutting the entire wall opening Liberty Home Concealment recommends that you cut a small hole within the area that wil become the full-size hole. This is done to check and confirm your wall is truly clear of obstructions inside the wall such as electrical wiring plumbing. It's much easier to patch a small hole vs repairing a large hole because you got ahead of yourself. Do not skip this step!!

Step 7

Once you are sure that there are no obstacles inside your cut area, cut the full rectangle that you have marked previously. Remove drywall cutout away from the wall.

Step 8

Slide your new insert/picture frame into the hole you just cut.

Step 9

Use the supplied screws to fasten to the stud or studs that run up the sides of the rear of the box. On smaller frames box will only fasten to the stud you biased your hole towards.

Picture Installation

1. Lay frame face down on soft surface such as a towel or blanket. 2. Hold firmly and slide picture frame in to the open position. 3. Remove four metal picture retainer clips, if clips are tight use a flat bladed screw driver to wiggle free. 4. Remove wood backer noard and lay picture onto glass. Making sure of proper orientation. 5. Reinstall backer board and 4 retaining clips. 6. Slide picture frame closed and enjoy!

Wall maunting instructions for Freedom Series Coat Rack

Recommendation

Liberty Home Concealmemt does not recommend the use of hollow wall anchors to mount larger items on your walls. While anchors may provide sufficient holding capability, Liberty Home Concealment recommends attaching directly to the studs located inside your wall to ensure the most secure level of attachment.

Step 1

Choose the desired location of the item you are wanting to mount your coat rack.

Step 2

Once you have your ideal location use a stud finder to locate 2 studs in your wall that will support your coat rack. Mark the location of each stud's center with a pencil. Use a nail to confirm stud has been located.

Step 3

Hold product against wall and use level to make sure it is even. Use a friend to help hold level while transferring stud location marks to inside of product to be mounted. Tip: Remember the adage "Measure twice cut once." That same rule applies when making holes in your walls.

Step 4

Check that product is plumb and level before securing. Once proper placement is achieve fasten first screw through product and into stud. Re check for level and attach second screw into next stud.

Step 5

Step back and admire your handy work. Now get started filling your piece of concealment furniture with all the items you are wanting to keep stored securely out of sight. ENJOY!!

YOUR CART (0)

No Products in the Cart