Options Are Limited
The increasing popularity of mobile and online credit card processing solutions has led many firearms dealers to seek out these services for use at gun shows and in their online gun sales. Unfortunately for these merchants, nearly all of the leading mobile and online merchant account providers, including Square and PayPal are now refusing to process online and mobile firearms transactions. This has resulted in numerous complaints among firearms dealers who have found sudden holds placed on large payments that were processed through entirely legal means.
Payment Processors that Support the 2nd Amendment
In response to requests for a list of gun-friendly credit card processors, we have created this breakdown of the top merchant account providers that allow gun dealers and gun shop owners to accept credit card payments for gun and ammunition sales. These providers can only process online firearms transactions between Federal Firearm License (FFL) gun vendors; in other words, they cannot enable merchants to sell guns directly to consumers over the internet. However, most of them can supply in-store credit card processing for direct consumer sales. It’s best to contact several providers to confirm what each company can and cannot support and to compare service offerings.
How We Selected The Best Firearms Credit Card Processors
When selecting a credit card processor for a firearms business in the USA, there are several factors we have considered.
Industry Experience
We looked for for credit card processors that have experience working with firearms businesses. They needed to demonstrate familiarity with the unique challenges and regulations of the industry, such as age restrictions and background checks for customers.
Compliance
Compliance is critical for firearms businesses. The credit card processor we selected are in compliance with federal and state regulations, including the Brady Handgun Violence Prevention Act, the National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS), and the Gun Control Act of 1968.
Payment Types
Each credit card processor is able process all major credit and debit cards, as well as alternative payment methods such as Apple Pay, Google Pay, and PayPal. This gives customers more flexibility when it comes to paying for their purchases.
Chargeback Protection
Firearms businesses are at a higher risk of chargebacks due to the high value of their products. We chose credit card processors that offer chargeback protection and have a solid dispute resolution process in place.
Security
Firearms businesses deal with sensitive information, and it’s essential to work with a credit card processor that prioritizes security. We selected processors that offer encryption, tokenization, and other security features to protect customer data.
Pricing
Finally, we considered the cost of the credit card processors’ services. Looking for a processors that offer transparent pricing with no hidden fees, so that you can compare their rates with other processors to ensure you’re getting a competitive deal.
Top Picks for Merchant Services for Firearms Dealers
Web: emerchantbroker.com
Tel: (877) 301-3442
eMerchantBroker.com is a Los Angeles, California-based company that offers high riske-commerce processing solutions including firearm merchant accounts. The company’s products include ACH processing, an online payment gateway, merchant cash advance, and a chargeback management system to help merchants dispute and resolve chargeback claims. eMerchantBroker.com places an emphasis on providing credit card processing for gun sellers.
eMerchantBroker Reviews
eMerchantBroker.com offers custom pricing for each merchant and maintains a low complaint rate relative to its size and merchant portfolio. Our review of eMerchantBroker gives the company an “A” rating overall and the BBB assigns the company a rating of “A+.”
Web: paymentcloud.com
Tel: (888) 506-7859
Based in Woodland Hills, California, PaymentCloud is a merchant account provider that specializes in serving high risk business types. The company’s products and services include point-of-sale solutions, mobile phone swipers, an online payment gateway and virtual terminal, EMV-compatible terminals, and merchant cash advances. PaymentCloud is a good option for online firearm sales.
PaymentCloud Reviews
PaymentCloud provides a dedicated account rep to all new merchants for the life of the account. The company has not received any negative complaints on consumer forums, and it customizes its pricing according to each merchant’s business type and processing history. The BBB does not maintain a profile for PaymentCloud at this time, but CPO gives the company an “A.”
Web: hostmerchantservices.com
Tel: (888) 727-4538
Host Merchant Services is a Newark, Delaware-based merchant account provider that is capable of placing firearms vendors based in the U.S. The company’s products and services include point-of-sale solutions, online marketing tools, an online payment gateway and virtual terminal, mobile credit card processing, gift and loyalty programs, merchant cash advance, and offshore merchant accounts. Host Merchant Services specializes in e-commerce businesses and provides a free website and email address to interested merchants.
Host Merchant Services Reviews
Host Merchant Services has received only positive feedback on public forums, with most reviewers singling out the company’s customer service for praise. Host offers interchange-plus pricing with no early termination fees to all of its merchants, meaning that users will enjoy the most transparent pricing model and can cancel service without penalty. The BBB gives Host an “A+” rating, and CPO also gives the company an “A+.”