If you run a gun store, you already live in a world of compliance.

Your licensing, transfers, bound book requirements, background checks, and inventory responsibilities all demand precision.

But many firearms dealers miss the fact that payment processing is its own compliance world.

And if you miss the rules, you can get shut down.

Even when you are operating legally.

We wrote an article “Payment Processing for FFL Dealers (2026)” and this article expands on this.

This guide gives you a complete compliance checklist to help you stay approved and protect your ability to accept credit cards.

Why This Checklist Matters

Most shutdowns happen for preventable reasons:

• incorrect underwriting
• missing website policies
• chargeback spikes
• fraud concerns
• policy conflicts with the processor

A stable firearms merchant account is built on:

• correct setup
• correct classification
• clear documentation
• fraud prevention
• dispute prevention

This checklist covers each area.

Section 1: Merchant Account Setup Checklist

✅ Your business is correctly classified as firearms related
✅ Underwriting includes firearms, ammo, and relevant categories
✅ Your processor confirms firearms are allowed in writing
✅ You have a dedicated merchant account, not just a payment app
✅ Your account includes fraud tools and chargeback monitoring

Section 2: Website Compliance Checklist

✅ Refund policy posted
✅ Shipping policy posted
✅ Terms and conditions posted
✅ Privacy policy posted
✅ Contact information clearly visible
✅ Store address and phone listed
✅ Product descriptions align with underwriting disclosures
✅ Clear statements about FFL transfers for firearms

Section 3: Fraud Prevention Checklist

✅ AVS enabled
✅ CVV required
✅ Velocity rules enabled
✅ IP address monitoring
✅ Manual review for high ticket transactions
✅ Device fingerprinting or equivalent tools
✅ Policies for suspicious orders

Section 4: Chargeback Prevention Checklist

✅ Clear customer receipts
✅ Deposit terms documented
✅ Special orders documented with timelines
✅ Proactive communication for delays
✅ Clear descriptor on statement
✅ Refunds handled quickly when appropriate
✅ Training staff on dispute prevention

Section 5: Risk Triggers Checklist

✅ You track monthly volume changes
✅ You avoid sudden spikes without warning your processor
✅ You document large ticket orders
✅ You review chargeback ratios monthly
✅ You monitor restricted items that could trigger policy reviews

What Happens If You Ignore These Steps

The risk is not just processing interruption.

A shutdown can cause:

• frozen funds for weeks
• inability to accept credit cards
• customer loss
• emergency re approvals
• increased scrutiny from future banks

That is why compliance is the real foundation of stable processing.

Why EPIC Merchant Systems Exists

EPIC Merchant Systems is veteran owned and built to support American businesses who value freedom.

We provide:

• firearms friendly underwriting
• stable merchant accounts
• compliance guidance
• personal service with a real person
• long term processing protection

Gun stores deserve a processor that supports them, not one that quietly wants to eliminate them.

If you want help applying this checklist to your business, reach out.

We will review your setup and help you build an account that is stable and compliant.

Contact EPIC today and get set up right. 

CONTACT EPIC HERE

Are you ready to get after it with EPIC? 

ACTIVATE YOUR ACCOUNT HERE