# Bipartisan Safer Communities Act of 2022-Criteria for National Instant Criminal Background Check System (“NICS”) Background Checks of Firearm Handlers

**Action Urgency Score:** 90/100

| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| Agency | Justice Department |
| Type | Final rule |
| Action | Final rule. |
| Published | 2026-10-27 |
| Effective | 2026-11-27 |
| Significant | Yes (EO 12866) |
| CFR parts | 28 CFR 25 |
| Summary | The United States Department of Justice ("Department") is amending several of its regulations pertaining to the National Instant Criminal Background Check System ("NICS" or "system") of the Federal Bureau of Investigation ("FBI") to authorize Federal Firearm Licensees ("FFLs" or "licensees") to use NICS for purposes of voluntarily conducting employment background checks relating to certain current or prospective FFL employees. This final rule describes in more detail how, upon its effective date, FFLs will be able to conduct "firearm handler background checks" ("FHCs") of "eligible employees." |
| Document number | 2026-21920 |

## Why this score
- Effective date within 30 days.
- Significant rule under EO 12866.
- Final rule.

Source: Federal Register API (Office of the Federal Register) (https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2026/10/27/2026-21920/bipartisan-safer-communities-act-of-2022-criteria-for-national-instant-criminal-background-check). Last refreshed: 2026-11-04T09:17:43.641Z.
Data from the Federal Register API; the published Federal Register document is authoritative. Informational only, not legal advice.