How to Sell Firearms Online Without Losing Your Payment Processor
The compliance and payment processing checklist gun store owners need before taking online orders.
Selling firearms online can grow your business faster than almost any other channel.
But it also increases risk.
Many gun stores try to expand into ecommerce, only to find their payment processor shuts them down.
Funds get frozen. Orders stop. Customers lose trust.
This happens because online sales trigger stronger fraud monitoring, higher dispute rates, and stricter policy requirements.
The solution is not to avoid online sales.
The solution is to set up ecommerce correctly with a firearms friendly merchant account and a compliance focused website.
This guide shows you exactly how to do it.
Why Online Firearms Sales Trigger Shutdowns
Online sales are considered card not present transactions.
That means:
- higher fraud risk
- higher dispute risk
- harder to prove delivery
- more customer confusion
- more buyer’s remorse
For processors that are already nervous about firearms, ecommerce can push the account over the edge.
Step 1. Use a True Firearms Friendly Merchant Account
If your provider is not designed for firearms ecommerce, you are at risk.
The safest approach is underwriting that explicitly approves ecommerce firearm commerce.
If you are using Stripe, Square, PayPal, or Shopify Payments, you should expect instability.
A true merchant account underwritten for firearms provides far more stability.
Step 2. Put Your Website in Compliance
Your website must include:
- refund policy
- shipping policy
- privacy policy
- terms and conditions
- contact info with address and phone
- product descriptions that match underwriting disclosures
This protects you in disputes and gives the bank confidence.
Step 3. Handle Firearm Orders Correctly
Every online order should include:
- clear instructions that firearms ship to an FFL only
- clear compliance language
- clear order timelines
- customer acknowledgment at checkout
If the customer misunderstands the process, disputes increase.
Step 4. Use Fraud Prevention Tools
At minimum:
- AVS
- CVV
- velocity rules
- device fingerprinting
- IP monitoring
- manual review for high value orders
Fraud is one of the fastest shutdown triggers.
Step 5. Protect Yourself From Chargebacks
Chargeback prevention includes:
- clear descriptors
- confirmation emails
- order documentation
- signed receipts for deposits
- proactive customer communication
Your processor should provide chargeback tools and monitoring.
Step 6. Avoid Restricted Products That Trigger Policy Conflicts
Some processors have internal restrictions on:
- magazines
- certain parts
- armor
- certain ammo
You need a processor who understands what you sell and approves it.
Why EPIC Merchant Systems Helps Gun Stores Sell Online Safely
EPIC is built for compliance and stability.
We:
- underwrite firearms ecommerce properly
- guide you through compliance requirements
- provide real personal service
- protect your account from shutdowns
We also align with pro 2A values and believe firearms businesses should not be punished for what they sell.
Call to Action
If you want to sell online safely, we can help.
