Note of potential service degradation - 2016-08-08

We are now back to normal - our software interface to NICS is up and running! Welcome back!

Dear friends,

NICS - the system we use to do the background checks for firearm transfers - is getting upgraded tomorrow (8/9/2016).

This is not just a UI change, it is a complete overhaul of the background check software, including the one used internally by NICS examiners when the background checks are done by phone.

As it happens with all large, complex systems, there will be problems.

Unfortunately, the way they chose to release the system is not very consistent with best practices for releasing web services: there was no preview, and the release is not incremental, so all traffic will be switched to the new system all at once, at 10am ET (7am PST) tomorrow.

Because of that, we expect major disruptions in our ability to do background checks immediately following the upgrade. If you are planning to buy or transfer a gun, please keep this in mind.

In particular, if you will be using us to facilitate a private sale tomorrow, please consider scheduling it for another day, because if the system does not work, both buyer and the seller will have wasted a trip.

In all cases please consult our web site for the most recent NICS system status - we will be posting information about service interruptions online in real time.

Of course our ability to sell ammunition, accessories, reloading tools and components, and anything that does not require firearms transfer will be unaffected, and we will be super happy to help you with these purchases!

Best regards,

Sergey