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Washington SAFE Background Checks Automated with Orchid eBound API Integration

Written by jon rydberg

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October 23, 2023

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Washington SAFE Background Cheks Automated with Orchid eBound API Integration

Hartford, CT – Orchid, the leader in FFL technology, payment processing, and firearm and explosives compliance services, Washington State and Farwest Sports, owner of the two largest in-state gun stores, announce the first API integration to the Washington SAFE background check system. Available today, Orchid’s integration to the “Secure Automated Firearms E-Check program” (SAFE) enables a real-time background check and automated submission of form FIR-652-001, the “Firearm Transfer Application.”

“We were delighted to work alongside the Washington State SAFE team and Tina Browning, Compliance Officer of Farwest’s Outdoor Emporium and Sportco stores, to develop API integration capabilities,” said Eric Wille, VP of Sales & Marketing at Orchid. This initiative demonstrates both Farwest Sport’s and Washington State’s commitment to public safety and firearm compliance. Being selected as the first electronic bound book and 4473 providers to connect to the SAFE is an honor.”

Orchid’s SAFE integration is designed to work seamlessly from the firm’s electronic 4473 or 4473 kiosk platform, serving the consumer additional Washington-specific questions at the end of Section B. Upon submission to SAFE, Orchid offers the FFL either an instantaneous response from SAFE or informs the FFL via lit buttons in the application’s header.

All Washington SAFE-approved retail FFLs can join Orchid’s 6,000+ customers, the largest provider of A&D technology and compliance services, with a program launch discount of 20% off implementation fees and the first 3 months free. In addition to the SAFE-integrated A&D platform, users will be provided:

  • Attorney Defense 100% Guaranteed Against ATF Revocations (terms apply)
  • Simplified migration from FastBound, FFLBoss, or other A&D applications
  • Unlimited users, bound books, and simplified pricing without transaction limits
  • Unmatched live technical support
  • No contracts or minimum commitments
  • Access to the only firm with one phone number for FFL technology, compliance services, and merchant processing
  • Cost-effective upgrades to a fully integrated retail Point-of-Sale, eCommerce, electronic State Restrictions, and A&D/4473 package from a single provider

Manufacturers and distributors seeking an A&D solution can contact Orchid for the largest array of API-integrated ERP available on the market, including NetSuite from Oracle, Oracle, Epicor, Infor, SAP, Fishbowl, and others. Also available is the Orchid eBound’s direct integration to laser marking devices such as Rofin, Trumpf, Beamer, and Lasit.

Mrs. Browning, Compliance Officer of Farwest Sports said, “As a Background Check Advisory Board member overseeing the creation of the Washington SAFE program, I’d like to thank the team at Orchid for working alongside us to bring this initiative to light. The integration works seamlessly, and we’ve enjoyed the real-time customer service and responsiveness of Orchid’s professionals.”

In honor of the new integration, Orchid is offering all FFLs 3 months free plus a 20% discount off any implementation fee associated with its POS / ERP, eCommerce, eState, and A&D / 4473 software. FFLs seeking to upgrade their application with one-on-one, guided migration services can use the code ‘SAFE’ during checkout at orchidadvisors.com/safe. This offer is good for purchases made between today and November 30, 2023. Implementation may be deferred through the busy holiday season at the FFLs request.

 

About Orchid

Orchid is a leading provider of firearm compliance solutions, offering industry-leading software. Celebrating ten years of serving the shooting sports industry, Orchid and partner firm Orchid Law offer leading FFL software, firearms-friendly payment processing, and legal and regulatory services for firearms, ammunition, and explosives industries. Orchid’s POS, eCommerce, and regulatory applications, including Orchid eBound, Orchid FEL Book, and Orchid eState, accompany its expert services in ERP integration, firearms/explosives regulation, state gun laws, and Firearm & Ammunition Excise Tax advisory. Get started at orchidadvisors.com.

 

Media Contact

Austin Alterio
Director of Marketing
aalterio@joinorchid.com

The official text is at 91 FR 24357, Federal Register Volume 91, Issue 87 (May 6, 2026), pages 24357–24362. The docket is also open for comment at regulations.gov (Docket ATF-2026-0009) through midnight Eastern on June 5, 2026. This rule is part of ATF’s broader New Era of Reform package announced earlier this spring — see Orchid’s previous coverage of the Trump DOJ / ATF rule reforms for FFLs.

Unlike many publications on the Federal Register, this change was posted as a Direct Final Rule, making it immediately effective August 4, 2026 without a separate notice-for-comment cycle — unless significant adverse comments are received by June 5.

 

What Didn’t Change?

Permitting FFLs to verify a transferee’s license via ATF eZ Check does not eliminate the regulatory mandate to actually verify the transferee’s license prior to a firearm transfer. The change is in the method of verification — not whether verification is required.

 

Orchid Customers Already Benefit

Orchid eBound, POS, and eCommerce have integrated directly with ATF FFL eZ Check for years. Every FFL transfer routed through your account is already being validated against ATF’s live data — no separate window, no PDF chasing, no manual license-number lookup. This is the same architecture that helped Orchid stay compliant through the ATF Ruling 2021R-05 changes and powers Orchid’s ATF Transaction Advisory Program for retail dealers.

For higher-volume transferors — manufacturers, distributors, and ERP-driven FFLs — our eFFL API delivers FFL and Letter of Authorization (LOA) data directly into the systems where your team actually works. The eFFL API is in production at customers running BSP NetSuite, Epicor, Infor, and other major ERPs, and is widely used inside eCommerce checkout flows to geo-select valid FFL ship-to destinations. See, for example, Prudent American’s launch with Orchid eBound, eSerial, eFFL API and the BSP NetSuite Firearms Edition (part of the JJE Capital Holdings family, alongside Palmetto State Armory).

 

Questions?

Contact your Orchid customer service or compliance services representative, or visit the Orchid eBound page or Orchid eState / eFFL API page to learn more.

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