Gun sales in Washington have resumed after a weeks-long pause caused by a cyberattack on the state’s Judicial Information Systems.
The Secure Automated Firearms E-Check SAFE system, which handles firearm background checks, was restored by 1 p.m. Sunday, allowing transactions to proceed again. The system had been down since a Nov. 2 hack that disrupted court networks and websites.
During the outage, the Washington State Patrol WSP received about 700 background check requests daily but couldn’t process them, delaying thousands of firearm sales and frustrating buyers, sellers, and businesses.
Melissa Denny, owner of Pistol Annie’s Jewelry and Pawn, noted the strain on businesses during the outage, saying, We take the brunt of the frustration from customers who don’t understand the delays.
The Administrative Office of the Courts reported no evidence of a data breach but acknowledged concerns about constitutional rights being impacted.
WSP Communications Director Chris Loftis emphasized the seriousness of the issue, highlighting its effects on multiple interconnected systems.
With the SAFE system now operational, WSP is working through the backlog of requests. Officials warned that processing delays will continue as they catch up but assured the public they are prioritizing safety and efficiency.
The restoration of the system is a relief for buyers and sellers, though frustrations persist as the backlog is cleared. Officials expect it will take at least another week to resolve all delays.