Which payment gateways accept gun retailers and firearms sales

Most mainstream payment gateways—Stripe, Square, PayPal—prohibit firearms transactions outright in their terms of service. Gun retailers and marketplaces like GunBroker operate in a heavily regulated industry, and standard processors treat the category as too risky. Your options narrow to gateways that explicitly permit firearms sales, specialize in high-risk merchants, or cater specifically to the firearms industry.

The gateways that do work with gun retailers fall into three groups: processors built for firearms businesses, general high-risk merchant processors that accept firearms as a category, and niche payment solutions designed for online marketplaces. Each has different underwriting requirements, fee structures, and fraud controls. Knowing which one fits your business model—whether you're a retailer, marketplace operator, or individual seller—determines how smoothly transactions flow and what your processing costs will be.

Key Takeaways

  • Mainstream gateways like Stripe and PayPal explicitly ban firearms sales, so you must use a processor that names firearms as an accepted category in writing.
  • Firearms-specific processors like Heartland Payment Systems (now Global Payments) and Repay have underwriting teams familiar with licensing, compliance, and chargeback patterns in the industry.
  • High-risk merchant processors charge higher fees—typically 3.5% to 5% per transaction plus monthly minimums—because firearms carry elevated chargeback and regulatory risk.
  • Marketplace operators like GunBroker may use different processors for seller payouts than for customer-facing checkout, so confirm which gateway handles which end of the transaction.
  • You will need to provide proof of federal firearms license (FFL), state permits, and sometimes banking references before a processor will approve your account.

Firearms-specific payment processors

Heartland Payment Systems (now part of Global Payments) has long been the standard for gun retailers. They explicitly permit firearms sales and have compliance teams that understand FFL requirements, state licensing variations, and the chargeback patterns specific to the industry. Heartland requires proof of your federal firearms license and will review your business model before approval. Their fees typically run 2.8% to 3.5% per transaction plus a monthly gateway fee, which is lower than general high-risk processors but higher than mainstream gateways.

Repay is another processor that names firearms as an accepted merchant category. They work with retailers, marketplaces, and fulfillment operations. Repay's underwriting is thorough—they will ask for your FFL, state permits, and sometimes bank statements—but once approved, they offer integration with common e-commerce platforms and reporting tools built for high-volume sellers. Fees are comparable to Heartland, around 3% to 3.5% plus monthly costs.

Authorize.Net (owned by Convergent) permits firearms merchants and has been used by gun retailers for years. They do not specialize in firearms the way Heartland does, but they do not ban the category either. Authorize.Net is often used as the payment gateway behind a larger merchant services provider, so you may encounter it as part of a bundled solution rather than as a standalone choice.

High-risk merchant processors that accept firearms

If you cannot get approved with a firearms-specific processor or need faster underwriting, general high-risk merchant services can work. These processors handle adult products, supplements, travel, and other categories that mainstream gateways reject. Some explicitly list firearms; others will consider it on a case-by-case basis. The trade-off is higher fees—often 4% to 5% per transaction plus monthly minimums of $500 to $1,500—and stricter chargeback policies.

Durango Merchant Services and eMerchantBroker are two examples that have worked with firearms retailers. Both require detailed underwriting and proof of licensing, but neither treats firearms as an automatic disqualification. Be prepared for longer approval timelines (two to four weeks) and requests for business references, bank statements, and sometimes a personal may provide from the business owner.

High-risk processors also tend to hold reserves—they may require you to keep 5% to 10% of monthly processing volume in a reserve account, released only after a set period (often 90 to 180 days). This protects them against chargebacks but ties up your cash flow. Ask about reserve policies before signing.

Marketplace-specific solutions for GunBroker and similar platforms

If you are a seller on GunBroker or a similar marketplace, you do not choose the payment gateway for customer checkout—the marketplace does. GunBroker uses its own payment processing infrastructure, which means your transactions flow through their approved processor, not yours. What you do control is how you receive payouts from the marketplace to your bank account.

GunBroker typically pays sellers via ACH transfer to a linked bank account. The marketplace handles the payment gateway risk; you handle the receiving end. However, if you are building your own marketplace or white-label platform for firearms sales, you will need to select a gateway yourself. In that case, you are back to the firearms-specific or high-risk processors listed above.

Some marketplace operators use Stripe Connect or similar split-payment solutions for seller payouts, but Stripe itself bans firearms sales. If a marketplace claims to use Stripe for firearms transactions, verify this in writing—many marketplaces have migrated away from Stripe specifically because of the firearms restriction.

What underwriting and documentation you will need

Every firearms payment processor will require proof of your federal firearms license (FFL). Have a copy of your current FFL ready before you apply. They will also ask for state permits, business registration documents, and sometimes a copy of your business license. If you operate in multiple states, be prepared to provide permits for each state where you sell.

Processors will also request banking information—your business bank account number and routing number—and may ask for personal identification if you are a sole proprietor or small business owner. Some will request bank statements from the past three to six months to verify your business history and cash flow. If you are new to business, this can be a barrier; some processors will not work with businesses less than six months old.

Finally, be ready to describe your business model in detail: Are you a retailer selling your own inventory? A marketplace connecting buyers and sellers? A fulfillment service? Do you ship nationwide or only to certain states? Processors want to understand your chargeback risk, and that depends on your specific operation. Marketplace operators face different risks than retailers, so be specific about your role.

Fee structures and what they cover

Firearms payment processors typically charge in three ways: a percentage per transaction, a monthly gateway fee, and sometimes a monthly minimum. A typical breakdown might be 2.8% per transaction plus $25 to $50 per month in gateway fees, with no monthly minimum. High-risk processors often add a monthly minimum of $500 to $1,500, meaning you pay that amount regardless of volume.

Some processors also charge setup fees ($200 to $500) and PCI compliance fees (annual fees for maintaining payment card security standards). A few charge batch fees if you process more than a certain number of transactions per day. Always ask for a full fee schedule in writing before you sign—processors sometimes add fees later or bury them in the contract.

Compare total cost, not just the per-transaction rate. A processor charging 3.5% with no monthly minimum may cost less than one charging 3% with a $1,000 monthly minimum if your volume is low. If your volume is high, the monthly minimum might be worth it for the lower per-transaction rate.

Integration with your e-commerce platform

Most firearms processors offer integrations with common platforms like WooCommerce, Shopify (though Shopify itself bans firearms sales, so you would need a workaround), BigCommerce, and custom-built sites. Before you choose a processor, confirm they support your platform. If you are building a custom site, ask whether they provide API documentation and sample code, or whether you will need to hire a developer to build the integration.

Some processors offer hosted payment pages—a form you embed on your site that handles payment collection without storing card data on your server. Others require you to integrate their API directly. Hosted pages are simpler but give you less control over the checkout experience. API integration is more work but lets you customize the flow.

Ask about reporting and reconciliation tools too. Can you download transaction history? Do they provide real-time reporting? Can you reconcile deposits to your bank account easily? Poor reporting tools can make accounting and tax filing harder, especially if you process high volume.

Chargeback and fraud protection in firearms sales

Firearms transactions have higher chargeback rates than most other categories. Chargebacks happen when a customer disputes a charge with their bank, claiming they did not authorize it or did not receive the item. In firearms sales, chargebacks often stem from shipping delays, regulatory holds, or customers changing their mind after purchase. Some processors have chargeback thresholds—if your chargeback rate exceeds a certain percentage (often 1% to 2%), they can terminate your account.

To reduce chargebacks, document everything: order confirmations, shipping tracking, delivery signatures, and any compliance holds (like waiting periods or background check delays). If a customer disputes a charge, you can submit this documentation to the processor to fight the chargeback. Processors that specialize in firearms understand these delays and are more likely to side with you if you have clear documentation.

Fraud protection varies by processor. Some offer address verification (AVS), card verification value (CVV) checks, and velocity checks (flagging multiple transactions from the same card in a short time). Ask what fraud tools are included and whether you can adjust sensitivity settings. Too strict, and you reject legitimate sales; too loose, and you eat fraud losses.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use PayPal or Stripe for firearms sales?

No. Both explicitly ban firearms in their terms of service. Using them for firearms transactions violates their policy and can result in account termination and funds being held. Do not attempt to work around this by describing firearms as "sporting goods" or similar—processors monitor for this, and it will result in account closure.

What if I am a marketplace operator, not a retailer?

Marketplace operators face different underwriting because they do not own inventory—they connect buyers and sellers. Processors like Repay and Heartland work with marketplaces, but you will need to explain your role clearly. You will also need to decide whether you hold funds in escrow or pass them through immediately to sellers, as this affects your liability and processing costs.

How long does it take to get approved?

Firearms-specific processors like Heartland typically approve accounts in five to ten business days if your documentation is complete. High-risk processors can take two to four weeks. If you are new to business or have a thin credit history, approval can take longer or be denied. Start the application process before you launch your site.

What happens if my chargeback rate gets too high?

Most processors will send you a warning if your chargeback rate approaches their threshold (often 1% to 2%). If you exceed it, they can freeze your account, hold your funds, or terminate your agreement. To avoid this, document all transactions carefully, respond quickly to chargeback disputes, and consider requiring signature confirmation on all shipments.

Do I need a separate processor for international sales?

Most firearms processors do not support international sales due to export regulations and licensing complexity. If you want to sell internationally, you will need to research export compliance separately and may need a processor that specializes in international firearms transactions. Many U.S. processors simply do not offer this service.