WASHINGTON, Oct. 31, 2026 — Federally licensed firearms dealers may voluntarily use the FBI's National Instant Criminal Background Check System to screen certain current and prospective employees, under a final rule the Justice Department announced Friday.
"Firearms dealers deserve the confidence of knowing their employees are right with the law," Attorney General Todd Blanche said in the announcement.
Until now, department regulations barred dealers from contacting NICS "for any purpose other than a proposed firearm transfer," the release says. The rule implements a provision of the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act.
What the rule does, according to the department:
- Who can be checked: employees who handle firearms, manufacturing employees with access to unfinished firearm parts or tools, and contractors whose duties give them access to firearms or ammunition.
- Consent: the employee must agree in writing.
- Results: "Pass," "Pending" or "Did Not Pass." Dealers don't see the underlying records, and a "Did Not Pass" employee can appeal.
- Limits and cost: generally one check per employee every 12 months, and "The FBI will not charge a fee for these checks."
The rule takes effect 30 days after it's published in the Federal Register.
Sources: U.S. Department of Justice press release, Oct. 30, 2026.
← More National stories · All Launchpad stories · Spotted an error? Request a correction.