The Pennsylvania Instant Check System (PICS) is a system that is used by licensed firearms dealers in Pennsylvania to conduct instant background checks on individuals who are attempting to purchase a firearm. The system is designed to prevent individuals who are prohibited from owning firearms from purchasing them, and it contains a wealth of information about potential gun buyers. In this blog post, we will explore the PICS system and how it works, as well as the databases it draws from and the information it contains.

The PICS system is operated by the Pennsylvania State Police, and it is used to conduct instant background checks on individuals who are attempting to purchase firearms from licensed dealers in the state. When a gun buyer attempts to purchase a firearm, the dealer must contact the PICS system and provide information about the buyer, including their name, date of birth, and driver’s license or state ID number. The PICS system then checks this information against several different databases to determine whether the buyer is prohibited from owning firearms. The databases that the PICS system draws from include criminal history records, mental health records, and other relevant databases.

For example, the PICS system checks the National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS) to determine whether the buyer has been convicted of a felony or has a history of domestic violence.

Additionally, the PICS system checks the Pennsylvania Instant Record Check System (PIRCS) to determine whether the buyer has a history of involuntary commitment to a mental institution or has been adjudicated as mentally defective.

In addition to criminal and mental health records, the PICS system also contains information about individuals who have been the subject of protection from abuse orders or who have been convicted of certain misdemeanor offenses.

This information can be used by the PICS system to determine whether a potential gun buyer is prohibited from owning firearms. Overall, the PICS system is a critical tool for preventing individuals who are prohibited from owning firearms from purchasing them. By drawing on a variety of databases and containing a wealth of information about potential gun buyers, the system helps to ensure that firearms are only sold to individuals who are legally allowed to own them.

However, it is important to note that the PICS system is not foolproof. Some records are incorrect. Sometimes final disposition of criminal cases are mis-inventoried. Plus, there is always a chance of misidentification or a person being a victim of identity theft. There are still ways that individuals who are prohibited from owning firearms can obtain them. Additionally, the system raises important questions about privacy and civil liberties, and it is important for policymakers to carefully consider the balance between public safety and individual rights.

In conclusion, the Pennsylvania Instant Check System (PICS) is a system that is used to conduct instant background checks on individuals who are attempting to purchase firearms in Pennsylvania. The system draws from a variety of databases and contains a wealth of information about potential gun buyers, including criminal and mental health records. While the system is an important tool for preventing individuals who are prohibited from owning firearms from purchasing them, it is not foolproof, and it raises important questions about privacy and civil liberties.