Background Checks For Firearms Skyrocket In Colorado

LAKEWOOD, CO — The Colorado Bureau of Investigation has received an "extreme" number of requests for background checks for firearms since the outbreak of the new coronavirus started in the state, officials said. The bureau says its InstaCheck unit is implementing changes to meet the demand.

More than 14,000 background checks for firearms transfers were received over the past week, compared with around 7,000 checks conducted in the same time frame last year, the bureau said. The demand has created a queue of nearly 5,000 check requests awaiting processing.

While the turnaround time remains within the three business days required by federal regulations, the wait time as of Wednesday approached two days, officials said. Prior to the surge, the wait time for firearms background checks for Federal Firearms Licensees and their customers was between five and eight minutes.

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The bureau said InstaCheck has implemented the following changes to address the high volume:

• Expanding internal InstaCheck hours of operation — public hours of operation remain from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.; however, examiners are working outside those hours to reduce the queue, officials said.
• Cross-training specialized staff members to assist in the background check process off-site to help ensure social distancing amid the spread of the COVID-19 virus.
• Reassigning employees to InstaCheck who had recently accepted new assignments in other bureau sections.
• Making some modifications to the submission process for background checks.

"The CBI appreciates the patience of FFLs and their customers as we balance the requirement of providing this service while working to ensure the health and safety of our staff," the Colorado Bureau of Investigation said in a public notice.

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