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HARRISBURG – The Pennsylvania State Police announced the Pennsylvania Instant Check System (PICS) conducted 321,664 background checks during the fourth quarter, which was the second-highest quarter of the year.
In addition, the state police released the number of firearms purchase denials, subsequent investigations, and arrests that resulted from investigations for the fourth quarter of 2022.
Of the checks conducted in the fourth quarter, 4,246 people were denied with 1,946 of those denials referred to law enforcement agencies.
The total number of PICS background checks conducted in 2022 was 1,224,313, down from 1,402,625 in 2021 a 12 percent decrease.
Established in July 1998, PICS is used by county sheriffs, chiefs of police of cities of the first class, and licensed firearms dealers in Pennsylvania to determine an individual’s legal ability to acquire a license to carry firearms or obtain a firearm through a purchase or transfer.
Throughout 2022, the state police firearms administrative section processed 916,709 total (521,737 handguns; 364,236 long guns; and 30,736 frames and receivers) firearms purchases and/or transfers facilitated by Federal Firearms Licensed dealers.
Statistics for the fourth quarter of 2021 are included for comparison.
Fourth Quarter PICS Statistics 2021 2022
Total number of PICS checks conducted 337,911 321,664
Number of persons denied 5,330 4,246
Total number of denials referred to law enforcement agencies 1,380 1,946
Referred to Pennsylvania State Police 329 432
Referred to Local Law Enforcement 1,015 1,356
Referred to ATF 36 158
Number of individuals arrested for a warrant at point of purchase 13 34
In Pennsylvania, a person commits a felony of the third degree if they make a false oral or written statement on any federal or state agency form or if they willfully present false identification that is likely to deceive a firearm seller, licensed dealer, or licensed manufacturer. When an individual provides false information on a state and/or federal form, an investigation is initiated, and an investigation referral is sent to the corresponding law enforcement agency. In addition, during the background check process, individuals may be identified as having an active warrant for their arrest.
Since its inception, PICS is responsible for facilitating the apprehension of 3,109 fugitives, 91 occurring in 2022.
