Pastor Russell Fincher and Patrick Tate Adamiak, pardoned by Donald Trump on Sept. 3, 2026, were denied firearm sales after ATF Form 4473 checks nearly two months later, with Fincher seeking a Smith & Wesson Victory and Adamiak an Auto-Ordnance semi-automatic Thompson. ATF Director Robert Cekada said Friday that NICS at the FBI issues those denials and ATF does not block buyers; the FBI had not answered emailed questions. Pennsylvania state police also denied Adamiak, who mailed a paper appeal that can take 30 days because digital filings are not accepted. Record systems had not caught up to the pardons, so both still cannot complete a lawful purchase from a dealer.