If you own a gun store, sell firearms online, run a range, teach training classes, or operate any kind of Second Amendment business, you have likely already discovered a hard truth:

Most payment processors do not want you.

Even if you are 100 percent legal. Even if you have your FFL. Even if you run a clean operation with great customers.

Firearms businesses are regularly shut down by processors, hit with surprise holds, denied approvals, or forced into unstable processing setups that fail the moment you begin to scale.

This guide will walk you through the facts, what you can do, what you should avoid, and how to choose a firearms friendly merchant account that protects your business.

It is written for FFL dealers who want compliance, stability, and a processor who actually stands with the Second Amendment community.

If you want processing built for gun stores and handled by real people who will answer the phone, EPIC Merchant Systems was created for exactly that purpose.

Why Firearms Dealers Get Shut Down by Payment Processors

The main issue is not legality. The issue is risk and policy.

Most mainstream processors operate under strict rules from banks and card brands, and those rules can change at any time. Many providers also have internal policies that discourage or outright prohibit firearms related transactions.

This leads to a common pattern:

1. The gun store gets approved quickly by a mainstream provider
2. The store processes a few months of sales
3. The processor flags the business activity
4. Funds get held
5. The account gets shut down with little warning

Even worse, many processors shut down gun businesses because they were coded incorrectly at approval.

The most common shutdown reasons include:

• Incorrect MCC coding or merchant classification
• The processor does not underwrite firearms properly up front
• Online sales trigger higher fraud monitoring thresholds
• The store sells restricted items according to the processor’s internal policies
• The processor wants to reduce "high risk" exposure even if you are compliant

Firearms businesses are often labeled "high risk" in the payment processing world.

High risk does not mean illegal. It means the processor believes the business is more likely to cause chargebacks, disputes, fraud, reputational exposure, or policy conflicts.

That is why choosing the wrong processor can become a business destroying mistake.

What Counts as Firearms Related in Payment Processing

Many FFLs assume processors only care if you sell firearms. In reality, your business can be considered firearms related even if firearms are a small part of your revenue.

A processor may flag your account if you sell:

• Firearms
• Ammunition
• Magazines
• Firearm parts
• Optics
• Holsters
• Targets
• Armor
• Suppressors and NFA items
• Gunsmithing services
• Range memberships
• Training classes
• Online firearm sales
• Online ammo sales
• Subscription based gear clubs
• Deposits for firearm transfers or special orders

Even if you only sell accessories, many processors still consider you connected to firearms.

The key is not to hide what you do. The key is to work with a provider that knows how to underwrite it properly.

Can FFL Dealers Use Stripe, Square, PayPal, or Shopify Payments?

Short answer:
You can sometimes start with them, but they are not safe for firearms dealers long term.

Many FFL dealers report sudden shutdowns, frozen funds, and terminations from providers like:

• Stripe
• Square
• PayPal
• Shopify Payments

These are payment facilitators, not true merchant account providers.

They are designed for quick approval and volume, not for high risk categories or industries that require real underwriting and stable banking relationships.

Here is the real danger:

When you use a payment facilitator, you are not the actual merchant in the bank’s eyes. You are a sub merchant under their umbrella.

That means they can shut you down instantly, without warning, and often without an appeal process.

If you sell firearms or anything related and you are using Stripe or Square, you should treat it like borrowed time.

What Is a True Firearms Friendly Merchant Account?

A true firearms friendly merchant account means:

1. Your business is properly underwritten up front
2. Your products and services are disclosed correctly
3. Your business is classified correctly
4. Your account is placed with a bank that supports firearms commerce
5. Your risk monitoring and chargeback protections are structured for your industry
6. You have a real partner who will guide you and help you stay compliant

This is not a standard retail merchant account.

Firearms businesses need specialized merchant processing that is built for:

• high ticket items
• deposits and pre orders
• online sales
• transfers and special orders
• training and memberships
• chargeback prevention
• legal compliance
• long term account stability

The Biggest Mistake: Trying to Hide That You Sell Firearms

Some processors or sales reps will push you toward misclassification to get you approved quickly.

They might tell you:

• "Just list yourself as sporting goods"
• "Do not mention guns"
• "Avoid firearm terms on your website"
• "Use a different business name"
• "Split the business into two accounts"

This is dangerous.

Why?

Because it creates a mismatch between what you are doing and what the bank believes you are doing.

When that mismatch gets discovered, the result is usually:

• frozen funds
• termination
• loss of processing privileges
• difficulty getting approved elsewhere
• increased scrutiny from future banks

Firearms businesses do not need sneaky workarounds.

They need honest underwriting and a processor who is built for this world.

What Compliance Looks Like for Firearms Merchant Processing

The best firearms merchant accounts are not built on loopholes.

They are built on compliance.

That includes:

• matching your online inventory to what the bank approved
• ensuring you have clear shipping and return policies
• using age and identity verification where required
• requiring adult signature on shipments where appropriate
• implementing chargeback and fraud prevention tools
• using clear descriptors on billing statements
• keeping strong documentation and transaction records

You are already used to compliance. Your entire industry is built around it.

The right processor respects that, supports it, and helps you stay protected.

FFL Merchant Account Approval Checklist (What You Need to Get Approved)

If you want your approval to go smoothly, prepare these items up front:

Business and identity

• Driver’s license
• EIN documentation
• business entity documents

Firearms compliance

• FFL license
• if applicable, SOT documentation

Banking

• voided check or bank letter
• business bank statements

Online presence

• website that clearly explains what you sell
• posted refund policy
• posted shipping policy
• posted privacy policy
• posted terms and conditions

Processing history

• previous processing statements if you have them
• average ticket and monthly volume estimates

The better the documentation, the stronger your approval and the more stable your account will be.

Red Flags That Your Processor Is Not Firearms Friendly

If you see any of these, you should pause and reconsider before moving forward.

Red flag 1: Instant approval with no underwriting discussion

Firearms processing requires underwriting.

If nobody asks questions, somebody is either:

• ignoring risk
• misclassifying you
• setting you up for future shutdown

Red flag 2: They cannot explain how firearms businesses are classified

If your rep cannot explain how classification, underwriting, and risk monitoring works for your category, they are guessing.

You cannot afford guessing.

Red flag 3: They refuse to put anything in writing

If they say they support firearms but cannot provide documentation, that is a risk.

Red flag 4: They are not accessible

If your processor is a call center and you cannot reach someone directly, you will learn the hard way what happens when there is a hold or a dispute.

Red flag 5: They push "workarounds"

Workarounds are shutdowns waiting to happen.

Why Firearms Dealers Choose EPIC Merchant Systems

EPIC Merchant Systems exists because too many small businesses have been treated like numbers, not like people.

And in the firearms world, that problem is even worse.

You work hard. You follow the law. You support freedom.

You should not be punished for it.

EPIC is built around three core commitments:

1) Compliance and protection

We set your account up correctly from day one.

That means:

• proper underwriting
• correct business classification
• correct coding
• stable placement
• fraud protection
• chargeback protection
• help navigating online sales and risky transaction types

We do not play games that get you shut down.

We build it right.

2) Personal service with a real person

When you call EPIC, you do not get routed through a call center.

You talk to a real person.

You get direct support from someone who knows your account and knows your business.

If something goes wrong, you will not be stuck on hold talking to a stranger reading a script.

Firearms dealers need a partner, not a ticket number.

3) Values that align with the Second Amendment community

EPIC is unapologetically pro America, pro freedom, and pro Second Amendment.

We believe in God, family, and country.

That means we support the businesses that support American liberty.

When you process with EPIC, you are not partnering with someone who quietly despises your industry or sees you as a liability.

You are partnering with people who respect what you do.

Firearms Payment Processing Best Practices (How to Stay Protected)

Once your merchant account is set up correctly, these practices will help keep it safe long term.

1) Avoid unclear product descriptions on your website

Keep product descriptions honest and clear, but also ensure they match underwriting disclosures.

2) Post clear policies

Refund policies and shipping policies reduce disputes.

3) Require good fraud prevention

AVS verification, CVV verification, and velocity controls are essential.

4) Keep documentation on deposits and special orders

Disputes often come from deposits and delayed fulfillment.

Clear documentation protects you.

5) Train your staff on chargeback prevention

Most chargebacks are preventable.

Frequently Asked Questions (FFL Payment Processing)

Can you process credit cards for firearms?

Yes, absolutely, as long as you have a properly underwritten firearms friendly merchant account with the right banking partners.

Is firearms payment processing considered high risk?

Often, yes. High risk means the bank sees increased policy sensitivity, chargeback potential, or fraud exposure.

It does not mean illegal.

Why do gun stores get shut down by processors?

Most shutdowns happen because the processor does not properly underwrite firearms up front or the store is classified incorrectly.

Can I sell guns online with a merchant account?

Yes, but your account must be approved for online firearms commerce, and your website must meet compliance standards, including policies and verification steps.

Should an FFL use Stripe or Square?

They may work temporarily, but many gun stores eventually get shut down or have funds frozen. A true merchant account built for firearms is much safer.

What is the best merchant account for gun stores?

The best merchant account is one that:

• properly underwrites firearms
• classifies you correctly
• supports your product categories
• provides long term stability
• offers real support from real people

The Bottom Line: Your Merchant Account Is Not a Commodity

For most businesses, payment processing is treated like a commodity.

For firearms dealers, it is not.

It is a critical operational foundation.

The wrong processor can:

• shut you down
• freeze your funds
• destroy your cash flow
• ruin your customer experience
• create a nightmare of re approvals

A firearms friendly merchant account is not just about rates. It is about stability, compliance, and having a partner who stands with you.

If you want to process with a company that:

• understands firearms commerce
• protects your business through correct underwriting
• gives you direct personal service
• supports the Second Amendment community
• stands for God, family, and country

Then EPIC Merchant Systems is ready to help.

Ready to Get a Firearms Friendly Merchant Account?

If you are tired of being treated like a problem, or if you are worried about getting shut down, reach out today.

We will review your needs, set your account up correctly, and help you build a stable processing foundation for your business.

Talk to Steve directly and get your account set up the right way.

 Contact Us Here

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