The C2 form, also known as the NICS Contracted Call Center Questionnaire, serves an essential purpose in the background check process for firearm purchases in the United States. Here are some points explaining the purpose of the C2 form:
1. Compliance with federal laws: The primary purpose of the C2 form is to ensure compliance with the laws established by the National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS). NICS is administered by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and is used by licensed firearms dealers to perform instant background checks on potential buyers.
2. Verifying buyer's eligibility: The C2 form collects relevant information from the prospective firearm purchaser, such as their name, current address, social security number, and other identifying details. This information is crucial for verifying the buyer's identity and background to determine their eligibility to purchase firearms under federal law.
3. Conducting criminal background checks: The completed C2 form enables authorized personnel at the NICS Contracted Call Centers (Federally Licensed Firearm Dealers or FFLs) to perform a comprehensive criminal background check on the buyer. This step involves cross-referencing the provided information with various databases, including records of criminal history, mental health disqualifications, restraining orders, and immigration status.
4. Preventing firearm sales to prohibited persons: By conducting thorough background checks using the C2 form, the primary purpose is to prevent the sale of firearms to individuals who are prohibited by law from possessing firearms. Prohibited persons include convicted felons, individuals with certain domestic violence convictions, fugitives from justice, unlawful drug users, individuals with restraining orders, and those declared mentally ill or involuntarily committed to a mental institution.
5. Ensuring public safety and preventing potential harm: The ultimate purpose of the C2 form and the NICS background check process is to maintain public safety by preventing firearms from falling into the wrong hands. By screening potential buyers, the aim is to reduce the risk of firearms being obtained by individuals with dangerous criminal backgrounds or who pose a threat to themselves or others.
In summary, the purpose of the C2 form is to facilitate the federally mandated background check process, ensuring compliance with the law and preventing firearms sales to those who are legally prohibited from possessing them. This process ultimately aims to safeguard public safety and reduce the likelihood of firearms ending up in the hands of individuals with criminal records or mental health issues.