Securing a Gun Shop Merchant Account for Your Business

Industry data and background checks revealed 23 million guns were bought last year. With the firearms and ammunition industry generating over $63.49 billion in 2020, gun-friendly credit card processors took notice. Firearms merchants need gun-friendly merchant service providers to help facilitate gun shop credit card processing services for gun stores. Securing a gun shop merchant services merchant account is necessary to compete in this space and working with an experienced payments provider is of utmost importance. Accept credit cards, debit cards, and eCheck payments today with SecureGlobalPay.

According to a small arms survey, there is an estimation of 393 million guns in America. This is the highest per capita in the world. And with a 2020 U.S. Census population estimating that 331 million people live in America, the United States has more guns than people. Firearms merchant services providers proudly assist firearms manufacturers, gun clubs, and retailers nationwide with their firearms payment processing, all while promoting and supporting the 2nd amendment.

But even with these record numbers, the demand for gun shop merchant services and firearms-friendly credit card processing solutions continues to increase yearly. Owning a gun store can be a profitable business as long as you have a secure payment processing solution in place.

Owning a lucrative gun store business means being able to accept credit card payments and process all types of credit card transactions. This is extremely important as firearms customers prefer to pay with plastic credit cards or debit cards over cash.

This is particularly important because purchasing guns, ammunition, and firearms accessories are not cheap. People prefer to pay for these higher-priced items via cards, and gun dealers do this via high-ticket merchant accounts.

What is Gun Store Credit Card Processing

Gun store credit card processing relates to firearms vendors accepting non-cash payments for their firearm sales via a high-risk merchant account. A gun dealer must accept payments from its customers for both retail sales as well as online firearms sales. Firearms businesses will use POS systems or a virtual terminal to accept face-to-face transactions while using one of the major payment gateways to accept online payments via the internet.

Most banks, traditional financial institutions, and many merchant service providers do not provide gun-friendly merchant services. Online gun dealers and retailers alike are forced to look beyond standard payment processors for their payment solutions.

Why Gun Shop Credit Card Processing is Risky Business

Gun shop credit card processing and firearms merchant accounts seem always have their applications rejected by traditional financial institutions and low-risk payment processors.

These organizations consider anyone in the firearms industry a high-risk merchant and are uncomfortable doing business with them.

This has nothing to do with illegal or criminal activity. Selling guns is a legal business in America and contributed $52 billion to the economy and generated $6.8 billion in state and federal taxes.

So if the firearms industry is so profitable, why are financial institutions avoiding it?

The reason lies in the plenty of baggage that comes along with the industry.

Legal and regulatory issues, too many chargebacks, a complicated selling process, and fraud are just a few problems that bog down the firearms sector.

Financial institutions believe there are too many loopholes in the gun industry. They believe that even the simplest terms of the agreement can be violated because it is a largely unregulated industry.

For example, the right to bear arms is clearly stated in the United States constitution. However, gun control laws are not the same in every state. These gun laws are further complicated because they are also in conflict with laws at the federal level.

Another example is the high risk that comes with online firearms sales. Despite the background checks, age requirements, and other safety precautions, these weapons can still end up in the wrong hands causing chaos, grief, and bloodshed. Gun ownership is a polarizing topic in America. Due to merchant provider de-platforming and reputational hazards, many legitimate firearms businesses cannot get approved for firearms merchant accounts.

Why Gun Shop Retailers Need a Firearms Merchant Account

Simply put, if you are a gun shop retailer and do not have a firearms merchant account, your business will struggle to provide first-rate services to your customers.

The gun-selling business is highly competitive. Without a gun-friendly credit card processor and firearms payment gateway to receive payments, you hand over the advantage to other gun businesses with proper firearm credit card processing solutions. Additionally, you leave your business vulnerable to many risks linked to the industry.

Here are some more benefits of getting a gun shop merchant account:

• Mobile Firearms Merchant Account
• Online Firearm Sales Merchant Account
• (POS) Point of Sale System
• Fraud Protection
• Secure Payment Gateway
• SSL Encrypted Servers
• Multiple Currency Options
• Firearm-Friendly Sponsor Bank & Payment Processor Support

Getting a Federal Firearms License

Finding a merchant account provider for a gun dealership is important, but not before getting a firearms license. Anyone planning to sell firearms, gun accessories, or ammunition needs to get a Federal Firearms License (FFL).

This is a federally issued license that applies to individuals and corporations legally allowing them to trade or sell firearms.

As part of the process, the Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms federal agency (ATF) runs a background check on you. They investigate every facet of your life to confirm that you can be trusted with selling firearms.

You are also expected to conduct personal background checks on your customers purchasing firearms.

Documents Needed to Apply for Gun Shop Merchant Services

Setting up a gun shop does not only require a legal license and background check. Certain legally binding documents are also needed by your payment processor to approve gun sales.

These documents help your application when applying for a high-risk gun merchant account.

• A valid, government-issued ID, such as a driver’s license
• A bank letter or a pre-printed voided check
• Three months of your most recent bank statements
• Three months of your most recent processing statements, if applicable
• Financials in the form of Profit & Loss, Balance Sheet & Tax Returns
• An SSN (Social Security Number) or EIN (Employer Identification Number)
• A secure, fully-operational website with trusted Privacy and Refund Policies
• Chargeback ratios must be under 2%, depending on the business type
• IRS Confirmation of Non Profit Status — 501(c)(3) status, if applicable

Gun Shop Merchant Services Reviews

People have a right to be cautious when transacting with firearm businesses. Utilizing proper firearm payment processing merchant services makes customers comfortable who often return for repeat business.

When choosing a high-risk firearm merchant account provider, many things must be considered to help make the right choice.

Here are a few things you should do before choosing a gun merchant account provider.

• Locate online reviews of the gunshop merchant services provider.
• Confirm that their sponsor banks are firearms-friendly.
• Ensure they have competitive pricing and that the merchant accounts integrate into most major payment gateways.
• The application process must be clear-cut and straightforward.
• Inquire about restrictions on sales volume.
• Review the terms and conditions of the agreement. Seek clarity on what you do not understand.

Many companies can claim that they provide firearm merchant services. However, do they have any customers involved with firearm credit card processing that you know of? Don’t be afraid to ask and do your research.

Remember that as a high-risk business, your fees will be higher than a low-risk business, but you should still have competitive rates and fees.

Conclusion – SecureGlobalPay

Always go for a payment processing solutions company with plenty of experience partnering with gun shop merchants.

Getting the right gun shops merchant account provider is critical to your business survival and is why many merchants choose SecureGlobalPay for their firearms business merchant processing.