Firearms Merchant Accounts: Payment Processing for Gun, Ammo and Accessory Sellers
Many mainstream processors and store platforms restrict firearm sales, so gun, ammo and accessory sellers usually need a processor that says it accepts the firearms industry. Expect underwriting questions about what you sell and whether you hold a Federal Firearms License (FFL). Pricing varies, and some providers publish it. The table below compares what each provider publishes.
Key facts
- Of the providers below, only TacticalPay publishes card rates on its website: 2.65% + $0.30 in person and 3.5% + $0.30 online or keyed. Source · Checked November 6, 2026
- Corepay says firearms merchants get a decision within 24–72 hours of a complete application. Source · Checked November 6, 2026
- GunBroker’s built-in checkout for sellers requires a merchant account connected to a payment gateway that GunBroker supports, according to the payment service GunTab. Source · Checked November 6, 2026
- Whether you need an FFL depends on what you sell and is set by federal and state law, not by your processor. ATF
By the Best Payment Providers Editorial Team · Updated November 6, 2026 · How we research
Disclosure: We have a business relationship with Bankful and EMB, which may appear on this page. We may earn money if you apply through links on this page. More
Firearms merchant account providers compared
| Provider | Who it says it serves | Published card rates | Decision time (provider’s own claim) | Markets | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bankful (business relationship: see disclosure) | Says firearms eligibility is decided case by case during underwriting | Card rate not published. Platform plans $0–$495/month plus $0.08–$0.15 per transaction | Not published | Not published | bankful.com/pricing · bankful.com |
| eMerchantBroker (EMB) (business relationship: see disclosure) | Online firearms merchants (dedicated firearms page) | Not published | Says merchants can “get started within 48 hours” (page dated July 2024) | US and UK offices; country list not published | emerchantbroker.com |
| TacticalPay | FFL dealers, manufacturers, importers and SOTs; counter, range, gun show, GunBroker and online sales; knife shops, air guns, tactical gear | 2.65% + $0.30 in person; 3.5% + $0.30 online/keyed; plans from $69/month | Most FFLs in 1–3 business days | US (Texas-based) | tacticalpay.com |
| Corepay | FFL dealers, gun shops, online firearms retailers, ammunition, accessories, manufacturers, ranges, gun clubs, tactical stores | Not published | 24–72 hours after a complete application | US, UK, EU and other countries | corepay.net |
| EBizCharge | Firearms businesses (gun-friendly merchant accounts) | Not published | Not published | US-based customers | ebizcharge.com |
| Orchid Pay | Firearm retailers, including Type 01 FFLs | Not published | Not published | Not stated | orchidadvisors.com |
Will a provider accept your firearms business?
“Do you actually allow firearm and accessory sales?” is the first question firearms merchants ask. No provider can promise approval before underwriting, but you can judge your fit first:
- Strong fit: the provider names your business type on its own website (for example FFL dealer, ammunition or accessories), you hold the licenses your products require, and your website shows terms, a refund policy and contact details.
- Possible fit: a new or home-based shop with complete documents but no processing history. Expect closer review.
- Unlikely fit: products the provider does not list, missing licenses for what you sell, or a history of high chargebacks.
Why are firearms businesses considered high-risk?
Banks and processors class firearms as high-risk because of regulation, reputation and policy, not because every seller has problems. Some mainstream payment services and store platforms do not allow firearm sales at all, so sellers move to processors that work with the industry.
Online sales add more review, because the card is not present. Federal and state rules on who can buy and how items ship also shape what a processor will accept. Check ATF guidance and your state’s law for your products; this page covers payments only.
Selling on GunBroker: why customer payments decline
Declined customer payments at checkout are a common complaint from marketplace sellers. On GunBroker, sellers who use the built-in checkout need their own merchant account connected to a gateway GunBroker supports, according to GunTab. If that account or gateway is not set up for firearms or for card-not-present sales, payments can fail.
- Confirm your processor accepts firearms sales and online (card-not-present) payments.
- Confirm your gateway is one GunBroker supports. TacticalPay, for example, advertises a GunBroker gateway.
- Check the decline reason your gateway reports. Some declines come from the customer’s card issuer, not your account.
Do you need an FFL to get a merchant account?
Your processor will ask about licenses during underwriting, but the law decides whether you need one. Corepay, for example, lists an FFL in its application documents “depending on what you sell.” Sellers of non-serialized accessories often ask whether that makes them lower-risk; ask each provider how it classifies your product list.
What documents do you need to apply?
Corepay’s published list is typical of what firearms processors ask for:
- EIN and business address.
- Articles of incorporation and business license.
- Your FFL, depending on what you sell.
- Personal and business financial history.
- Up to six months of processing statements, if you have them.
- A website with terms and conditions and a refund policy.
Knives, air guns and other weapons
Knife shops, air guns and tactical gear are often reviewed the same way as firearms. TacticalPay names knife shops, air guns and tactical gear on its website. If your catalog mixes product types, ask the provider to confirm it accepts every category before you apply.
Questions firearms merchants ask
Do processors actually allow firearm and accessory sales?
Some do and many do not. Use a provider that names firearms on its own website, like those in the table above, and confirm your exact products before you apply.
What does firearms payment processing cost?
Most providers quote after underwriting. Where a provider publishes rates, they are in the table with the date we checked them.
Can I sell items that are restricted in some states?
That depends on state law and on the provider’s own rules. Tell the provider which states you ship to and which products you restrict, and check your state’s law.
My store platform restricted firearms. What now?
You can usually keep your store and connect a firearms-friendly processor through a supported gateway instead of the platform’s built-in payments. Check that the gateway works with your store platform first.
Can I accept wallets like Apple Pay?
It depends on your processor and gateway. Ask the provider whether digital wallets are supported for firearms merchants on your checkout.
Sources: TacticalPay · Corepay · EBizCharge · Orchid Pay · GunTab · ATF. Found an error? Tell us.
What changed: November 6, 2026: page published. November 6, 2026: added Bankful and EMB to the comparison table, with disclosure.
Related: High-risk processors · Merchant account reviews · How we research