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Pennsylvania sees record number of gun background checks

HARRISBURG — Pennsylvania’s Instant Check System, which is used to determine a person’s eligibility to buy a firearm, set a record for activity in the first three months of 2021, according to Pennsylvania State Police.

It was the third straight quarter when the state saw a record-breaking volume.

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In the first quarter of 2021, PICS completed 427,450 background checks.

The system is used by county sheriffs, chiefs of police, and licensed firearms dealers across Pennsylvania to determine an person’s legal ability to acquire a license to carry firearms or obtain a firearm through a purchase or transfer.