Pennsylvania set a record in 2016 for background checks related to firearms, state police statistics show.

In use since July 1998, the Pennsylvania Instant Check System reviewed nearly 1.14 million requests to purchase or privately transfer a firearm or obtain a license to carry firearms. That's up 15 percent from 989,298 in 2015, which had marked the system's third-highest volume year behind 2013 (1.13 million) and 2012 (1.03 million).

Lying on an application that undergoes a PICS check is illegal, and results in a denial of the right to purchase/transfer a firearm or obtain a concealed-carry permit.

"When an individual attempts to provide false information on a state or federal form, an investigation is initiated and an investigation referral is sent to the corresponding law enforcement agency," state police Major Scott Price, director of the Bureau of Records and Identification, said in a statement.

"According to Pennsylvania law, a person commits a felony of the third degree if they make a false oral or written statement on any federal or state agency form or willfully presents false identification that is likely to deceive the seller, licensed dealer or licensed manufacturer," Price stated.

Pennsylvania State Police don't track factors that influence firearm purchases or applications to carry a concealed firearm.

"The numbers fluctuate on a yearly basis, but I can't point to anything in particular," state police spokesman Cpl. Adam Reed said.

Then-President Barack Obama's administration a year ago issued new federal "guidance" to clarify that firearms sales at gun shows, flea markets and online require background checks on prospective buyers. Firearms dealers told lehighvalleylive.com at the time that sales had been on the uptick for months, following deadly terror attacks in Paris and San Bernardino, California.

Signs in 2017 point to easing of gun control.

President Donald Trump took office last week, after campaigning in 2016 with the full support of the National Rifle Association. And one of the first bills introduced in the 115th Congress aims to shield holders of concealed-carry licenses from laws that limit the practice in other states, according to a report from thetrace.org.

The Pennsylvania State Police commissioner, Col. Tyree C. Blocker, says in the 2015 report on PICS he believes the system is functioning as intended.

"Incumbent with our public safety mission, I believe our PICS system is well positioned to preclude those prohibited by law to obtain firearms," he says in the report.

Although PICS checks rose to record territory in 2016, denials dropped by about 13.4 percent from 2015, to 13,117, according to state police. Failed checks led to 6,474 referrals to law enforcement, which can be municipal or state police or the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. Those referrals rose 38.9 percent compared to 2015.

People denied the right to purchase/transfer a firearm or obtain a carry license may appeal.

"Initial PICS denial determinations are not always final denials, and the denial determination, exclusively, is not the determining factor for criminal intent," state police say in their 2015 report.

Fugitives, however, face an extra worry when trying to buy a firearm or apply for a carry license. State police report 137 warrant arrests of fugitives uncovered by PICS in 2016, down 10.46 percent from 2015. Since 1998, PICS has led to 2,108 warrant arrests, state police said.

PICS conducts a search of Pennsylvania databases including criminal history and juvenile records, mental health history including involuntary commitment information and adjudications of incompetence, protection-from-abuse records and state wanted/missing person files.

It also reviews federal databases, including criminal records in the National Crime Information Center and the National Instant Criminal Background Check System that includes illegal immigration records, renounced citizenship, mental health, dishonorable discharge from the armed forces and unlawful use of controlled substances.

According to the 2015 report on Pennsylvania's PICS, the system returned most background checks -- about 60 percent -- in an average of 45 seconds in 2016. More-involved checks requiring operator assistance took nearly 12 minutes on average.

The system is paid for with a $2 fee on each background check processed and $3 fee for the sale or transfer of each taxable firearm, covering about half the cost to operate and maintain the PICS. The balance comes from the state police budget.

Kurt Bresswein may be reached at kbresswein@lehighvalleylive.com. Follow him on Twitter @KurtBresswein. Find lehighvalleylive.com on Facebook.