Last time I bought a rifle (yeah, the one that I sold to someone a couple of days later, wink)
I had to wait for about 20 minutes for a response from the National “Instant” Check System that said that I was “authorized” to purchase a firearm.
The article states that during the Clinton years, this system was “down” for extended periods. Dealers cannot sell you a firearm without an “OK” response from NICS - effectively, licensed dealers are shut down if the system is “out” for some reason.
I’ve had my FFL for 8 years and have just never heard the term “positive response”. There are 2 ways to check with the FBI, either by phone or by computer. By phone I have never had any problems, by computer it “seems” like there are too many being checked, like the internet is congested and it can be very slow or freeze. I guess this is what the dealers are experiencing.