The Justice Department published a final rule on October 27, 2026, authorizing federal firearms licensees to voluntarily run no-fee National Instant Criminal Background Check System checks on eligible employees and contractors who can access firearms. The Firearm Handler Check takes effect November 27, 2026. It implements a Bipartisan Safer Communities Act of 2022 provision that dealers have sought for years.
The National Shooting Sports Foundation led the campaign. NSSF backed the Firearm Handler Check so licensees can screen handlers at no NICS fee. The Federal Register document sets criteria under the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act of 2022 for this use of NICS. Gun dealers will be able to run their own employees through the system under the new rule.
Federal firearms licensees have not had an authorized, no-fee path to run NICS on staff and contractors who can access firearms. The October 27 rule supplies that path. The check is voluntary. There is no fee. Eligible employees and contractors who can access firearms are the people the rule covers.
That is a handler check, not a new purchase ban on lawful gun owners. It does not convert private citizens exercising the right to keep and bear arms into a federal roster. It gives an FFL a federal channel to run NICS on the people who can access firearms at the licensed business. The right to keep and bear arms does not require a licensee to fly blind on who can access the guns in the shop.
Industry pressed for this authority for years. A licensee is responsible for firearms that move through the shop. The Firearm Handler Check lets an FFL use NICS at no fee on a defined handler for a defined purpose. NSSF framed the final rule as a victory for the effort it led.
The Justice Department's publication on October 27 is the regulatory step that makes the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act provision operational. Implementation is a dealer-requested screening tool, not a new round of civilian disarmament and not a new tax on keeping and bearing arms.
November 27, 2026, is the effective date. Licensees who choose to use the Firearm Handler Check may begin no-fee NICS queries on eligible employees and contractors who can access firearms. Those who decline are not compelled. Officials who take an oath swear it to the Constitution, not to every statute stacked on top of the Second Amendment. What happens next is voluntary use by FFLs.
References
- https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2026/10/27/2026-21920/bipartisan-safer-communities-act-of-2022-criteria-for-national-instant-criminal-background-check
- https://www.nssf.org/articles/nssf-led-effort-leads-to-firearm-handler-check-victory/
- https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/nssf-led-effort-leads-to-firearm-handler-check-victory-final-rule-to-be-published-in-federal-register-tomorrow-302919710.html
- https://www.usacarry.com/gun-dealers-will-soon-be-able-to-run-their-own-employees-through-nics-under-new-firearm-handler-check-rule/
- https://www.theoutdoorwire.com/releases/2026/10/processing-5