FFL Software

Compliance with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives is an absolute necessity for all Federal Firearms Licensees. Any gunsmiths or other FFL holders that fail to properly track transactions and comply with BATFE will create legal problems.

The Government Paperwork Elimination Act led the ATF to develop e Form 4473 to ease completing Federal Firearms Transaction Records (ATF Form 4473), however, this doesn’t solve all of the FFL tracking requirements nor does it help with managing retail or inventory tasks. Record keeping is a tedious task that people are notoriously bad at it so a solution that solves compliance issues and manages record keeping would be an aid.

Let’s look into statistics on ATF compliance issues using 2020 statistics as our sample year with data compiled by Jamison Collins of Fast Bound. According to the ATF, there were 2,653 special agents who served as personnel in 2020.

Special agents are described by the ATF as "highly trained, elite law enforcement officers who investigate violations of federal laws and regulations related to the criminal misuse of firearms." They’re sworn law enforcement officers authorized to make arrests for federal offenses in the U. S. and remain involved throughout each stage of a criminal investigation. From the initial moment an FFL is found to be in violation of ATF compliance to the moment they’re convicted or acquitted, a special agent is present.

Industry Operations Investigators work directly with FFLs to ensure they’re in compliance with current firearms regulations, both on the federal and state level. In 2020, there were a total of 760 IOIs that worked on ATF compliance inspection cases, traveling frequently to inspect business locations all over the country.

Possessing a detailed knowledge of regulations, it’s their job to examine FFL’s records to make sure there’s no falsification of records or any activity linked to the criminal trafficking of firearms. There were significantly less IOIs than special agents in 2020, but it was still a sizable number.

There were a total of 130,525 active licensees in 2020 with 52,795 dealers, 7,114 pawnbrokers, 52,729 collectors, 1,807 ammunition manufacturers, 14,126 firearms manufacturers, 1,136 importers, 127 Destructive Devices dealers, 422 Destructive Devices manufacturers, and 269 Destructive Devices importers. Dealers and collectors account for the largest percentage of FFLs at more than 80% between them, manufacturers of firearms are 10.8%, pawnbrokers at 5.5%.

In 2020, there were 8,025 total cases recommended for prosecution. Each case remains open for about four years so this was the total number regardless of their stage in the judicial process. This included 6,934 indicted cases, 5,181 convicted cases, and 1,639 criminal group and gang cases. Of the cases recommended for prosecution in prior years and the 2020 fiscal year, the ATF closed 6,251 of them.

In these cases, 10,012 total defendants were recommended for While software solutions aren’t required, they can help automate things. prosecution. 70,439 people in these 8,025 cases had prior arrests and 18,192 had prior convictions. So, based on ATF numbers, there’s a definite pattern where most defendants recommended for prosecution had prior criminal histories. Of the more than 10,000 defendants included in this data, there were more than 70,000 prior arrests and over 18,000 prior convictions between them.

This averages out to 7 previous arrests and 1.8 prior convictions per defendant recommended for prosecution. So for most people, getting caught not adhering to ATF compliance isn’t an isolated incident in terms of getting into legal trouble. The average person has already been arrested 7 times and convicted nearly twice. Of those recommended for prosecution, most ended up being convicted at nearly 72%, which shows the majority of defendants are ultimately found guilty.

However, only a small number received a life sentence at 0.0003% and 0.002% received a death sentence. In 2020, the ATF performed 5,827 firearm compliance inspec-

tions. Based on the 130,525 active FFLs in America that year, only 4.5% were inspected. Of those, there were no violations in 3,277 (56.2%) inspections. Report of violations happened in 1,289 (22.1%) of the inspections with 804 (13.8%) receiving warning letters and 306 (5.3%) warning conferences. A license was surrendered in 96 (1.6%) of the inspections.

This indicates that of the 41.2% of FFLs who weren’t fully compliant with firearms laws and regulations, the offense wasn’t severe enough to demand a serious action like surrendering their license, having it revoked/denied, or going out of business. Only a tiny percentage of FFLs encountered that level of reprimanding, with 1.6% having to surrender their license/go out of business and 0.7% having it revoked/denied. Finally, the ATF conducted a total of 10,525 firearms applications inspections.

Of those, 8,385 (79.6%) were approved and 237 (2.3%) were denied. The rest of the 1,903 (22.6%) applications were either abandoned or withdrawn. This shows that nearly 4 out of every 5 firearms applications that are inspected are ultimately approved and only a fraction are denied. Having a clear perspective on ATF compliance inspection cases shows how many personnel are overseeing cases, how many licensees and defendants there are, how many criminal investigations are being launched, and more.

Most FFLs remain compliant without issue but they have to continue to work at it. Even though it demands compliance, the ATF doesn’t validate software or tools. Here are some recommendations to help in your shop. Fast Bound Since 2010, Fast Bound (Fast Bound. com, has been offering FFL software for Acquisition and Disposition and 4473 recording, having processed over a billion transactions for thousands of FFLs with guaranteed ATF compliance and an attorney-backed legal defense.

Fast Bound focuses on firearms compliance software exclusively and maintains an attorney-backed compliance guarantee, making them an industry leader. Developed in the United States, Fast Bound has a pricing model to support small, independent shops and large retail chain stores. All Fast Bound plans include unlimited acquisition and disposition record ("bound books") for gunsmithing, purchase, sales, consignment, pawn, etc.

This includes unlimited electronic 4473 forms, unlimited amounts of multiple sale reports, and any number of users for your shop. Fast Bound includes support for NFA Title II items such as machine guns, short-barreled rifles and shotguns, heavy weapons, explosive ordnance, silencers and "any other weapon" (AOW). Importer and pawn support is also provided and the system readily handles bulk acquire and disposal.

Along with unlimited electronic 4473 forms, Fast Bound can conduct unlimited background checks and produce any number of multiple sale reports. Fast Bound is updated for all users at no additional charge, usually on a weekly basis. In case of ATF intervention, users are provided legal defense from FFLGuard as an addition guarantee.

With Fast Bound, any computer, tablet, or even your buyer’s smartphone can create an ATF-compliant 4473 with digital signature support with no transaction fees or special hardware requirements. Fast- Bound pricing is based only on how many firearms you have acquired in a rolling twelve-month period. All plans offer the same features. A shop handling 100 firearms is charged $8 per month ($96 yearly).

The 500 firearm plan costs $24/ month; 1,000 firearms, $34/month; 2,500 firearms, $49/ month; 5,000 firearms, $79/month; and 10,000, $99/month. Businesses acquiring more than 10,000 firearms per year are eligible for volume pricing. All plans offer a free 14-day trial. No contract is required and users my upgrade, downgrade, or cancel at any time. FFL Boss FFL Boss (FFLboss.com, is firearms sales solution developed by firearms guys who happen to know code, not the other way around.

The company has support from multiple companies in the firearm industry and has pushed for positive changes in the Second Amendment community that benefit gun buyers and FFLs alike.

FFL Boss software includes use of electronic bound books and automated 4473s with integrated background checks. The system allows a fully-digital kiosk mode and automates multiple sales form creation and submission, employee activity monitor, and accepts electronic signatures, including FFL e Z check verification. Inventories are more easily managed with label and barcode printing, barcode scanning, and sequential serial numbering automation during acquisitions and dispositions.

Store management is handled with an inventory count assistant and integrated point of sale with individual state-specific modules and Point-of-Sale reporting. You can manage and send copies of your FFL as well as search for others. Title II management is included with an NFA reservation and form automation system. FFL Boss offers three plans. The FFL Home plan for home-based FFLs runs $19/month, FFL Plus for small retail FFLs at $49/month, and FFL Pro for large retail at $99/month. All plans offer a free trial.

Gun Store Master Gun Store Master ATF Compliance Software (GunStoreMaster.com, offers professional firearm ATF compliance software for gun stores. Gun Store Master PRO has features to manage firearm regulatory and inventory requirements, freeing up dealers to spend more time with customers. FFL retailers and manufacturers benefit from Gun Store Master PRO through ATF regulatory automation, reduced compliance risk and less time entering, searching, storing, and backing up firearm data.

The system uses the e Safe bound book for fast and accurate record keeping. Fast4473 and Fast3310 makes background check forms and multiple sales forms easy while reducing input errors. Gun Store Master can print barcoded labels and price tags. Indepth reporting functions and Fast- Inventory allows dealers to quickly and accurately self-audit in-stock firearms using barcode scanning tools.

Gunsmithing, transfer, and consignment modules helps keep transactions and jobs of all sizes organized, professionally documented, and tracked. Individual logins for staff accounts manages all shop employees and data/compliance tracking for training and accountability measures. Gun Store Master has available Point-of-Sale integrations with Celerant’s Cumulus & Stratus systems as well as Quick Books Point of Sale. There are specialized features for gunsmiths, manufacturers, importers, and large volume FFLs.

Finally, the Gun Store Master In Store automated back-up system create a peace-of-mind that all records will be secure. Gun Store Master offers a free 30day demo account allowing you to try before you buy. The Basic plan at $10/month manages an inventory

of up to 50 firearms with unlimited transactions and includes the e SAFE Electronic Bound Book. The Basic plan is discounted to $9/month for a one year term and $7.50/month for two years. The Pro plan at $50/ month manages an unlimited inventory in the e SAFE Electronic Bound Book, and also provides the Fast4473 System, Fast3310 System, Fast INVENTORY System, and label and price tag printing integration with Quick Books Point of Sale and Celerant Point of Sale.

The Pro plan is discounted to $45/month for a one year term and $37.50/month for two years. All Gun Store Master systems and services are accessible via a web browser. Epicor Epicor Software (Epicor.com/en-us/ fflcompliance/solution, ATF-compliant reports for inspections and traces can be generated with one click.

From left, Epicor’s service includes a complete firearm acquisition tutorial, FFL compliance menu, and dashboard for tracking firearm sales and inventory. offers their cloud-based FFL Compliance Manager built in conjunction with Orchid Advisors (OrchidAdvisors.com). Epicor specializes in industry-specific software for manufacturing, distribution, retail, and service industries with both cloud and on-premises tools.

Orchid Advisors specialized in software, growth and compliance solutions to the firearms and outdoor sporting goods industries and has a staff that includes attorneys and ATF advisors to stay up on current policy. Epicor’s FFL compliance system is designed to streamline transaction entry, reduce non-compliance risk, and generate the necessary reports for ATF inspections or inquiries. Accounts are established and priced according to business size.

The FFL Home Based account ($24/ month) works for one FFL holder with up to 250 firearm transactions per year. FFL Standard ($59/month) works for a business with multiple FFL holders and up to 5,000 annual transactions. FFL Large ($89/ month) handles 5,000-10,000 annual transactions. Each account is accessible with one user, however, additional users can be added for $9/month. Once logged in to your account, firearms transactions are logged using a built-in "assistant" that steps through the process.

ATF-compliant reports for inspections and traces can be generated with one click. Bound book accuracy or inventory reconciliation can be done any time with the included tools. Your customers can supply their information through your account just as easily on a tablet, laptop, or other Internet-capable device. The FFL Compliance Manager also integrates with Epicor’s Eagle retail business management system.

This includes inventory management tools, integrated accounting, real-time analytics on sales and inventories, and personalized customer contact management. There are a number of ways to manage your retail sales and remain ATF compliant. For a shop of any size, a software solution will quickly pay for itself in convenience and peace of mind. AG