Overview
The Firearms Background Division (FBD) is comprised of four sections and will be fully operational by January 2024.
The Firearm Transfer Support Unit will be responsible for all incoming requests from firearm dealers regarding their submission of a firearm transfer background check to be processed.
The Law Enforcement Support Unit will be responsible for processing the background checks for local law enforcement agencies.
The Research and Appeals Unit will be responsible for an enhanced look into the background check. The unit will also be responsible for processing the appeals from any denied applicants.
The Quality Assurance and Training Unit will be responsible for all of the training for the division in how to conduct a firearm background check. The unit will also handle business analyst work to further the division technical needs.
Key Measurements and Statistics
No background checks were conducted within the Washington State Patrol (WSP) FBD, but the below is a display of the anticipated workload for the future of the division.
Successes of 2021
- January – December – the mandated Background Check Advisory Board met monthly.
- May – the Firearms Background Division was established with the WSP.
- August – a logo was developed for the new firearms system that will be used by all Firearm dealers and local law enforcement agencies in Washington State. Secure Automated Firearms E-check (SAFE)
- September – a list-serv “Firearms-Announcements” was developed to communicate information to WSP and non-WSP personnel regarding the progress of SAFE and the new division.
- October – a vendor was chosen to build the new firearms system.
- November – design documentation was developed to secure a location of where the division will be located.
Additional Information and Resources
- To subscribe to the list, simply send an email to listserv@listserv.wsp.wa.gov with ONLY the following text in the body of the email (the subject of the email doesn’t matter):
SUBSCRIBE Firearms-Announcements Firstname Lastname
NOTE: You must replace Firstname with your first name and Lastname with your last name. For example: SUBSCRIBE ACCESS-Announcements John Smith. There are no spaces in ‘Firearms-Announcements’.
Make sure to delete all text from the body of the email, including the signature text, if you have one.
- To access the yearly Background Check Advisory Board report, please click here.