Why are guns and ammunition merchant accounts high risk?

When it comes to merchant accounts, firearms businesses are considered high-risk by many conventional payment processors. What’s more, as a federally regulated industry, establishing a gun merchant account and qualifying for firearm credit card processing is even more difficult. Businesses in this category are often unable to obtain a merchant account with traditional banks or mainstream processors such as PayPal or Square.

Firearm merchant services are considered high-risk primarily due to reputational considerations. The industry has been the recipient of bad publicity, causing most banks and providers to avoid offering gun-friendly credit card processing. When sold online, firearm sales often result in chargebacks in which customers deliberately reverse the payments through their banks after receiving shipped items.

In addition to losing the sale, these chargebacks can negatively impact your merchant account — making you an even higher-risk candidate for banks and traditional providers. Qualifying for gun-friendly merchant services requires working with a provider that specializes in high-risk payment processing and understands the unique needs of firearms vendors.

Turnkey Payment Solutions has a long history of serving firearms merchants, and we understand their unique needs. Our experience in this high-risk space uniquely positions us to provide the solutions and support you need to grow your business securely and with peace of mind.