What does delay mean when redeeming a pistol from a pawn shop?

Answer 1

In the US, when redeeming a pawned firearm, you will go through the same process as buying the firearm from a dealer (this is Federal Law). The pawnshop operator is required to conduct a background check with the law enfrocement agency that does this. The result may be approved, denied, or delayed. Delayed means just that- no approval yet. It may be due to a computer problem, or that the agency needs to check further. This sometimes happens if you have a name similar to someone that is prohibited from owning a firearm. Usually the delay will be resolved within 3 days- but the pawnshop operator cannot return the firearm until they have received an approval, or the time limit for the background check has been reached. The pawnshop owner will not know why a check was delayed, or denied- only the result.