Does Authorize.Net allow online gun sales?
Yes, Authorize.Net allows licensed federal firearms dealers to accept credit cards online if the back-end merchant account that the payment gateway connects to is also gun-friendly. All shipments must be between Federal Firearms License holders, and a NICS background check must be performed on each transaction.
This post discusses how to best set up an online FFL website using Authorize.Net as the payment gateway.
We cover how to easily connect a stable, second amendment-friendly merchant account to process online payments. Additionally, we provide links and resources on common website builders and shopping carts including GunBroker, AmmoReady, WooCommerce, Wix, BigCommerce, Squarespace, and even Shopify. Lastly, for clarity, we will reference and link to, Authorize.Net’s official terms and conditions.
As an A+ rated, BBB accredited resource established in 2002, Tasker Payment Gateways LLC takes the time to research complex payment gateway questions and provide concise answers and next steps to online businesses. Below is everything you need to get started with Authorize.Net and gun-friendly payment processing.
All FFLs should sit with a qualified attorney familiar with firearms law and e-commerce before launching any type of FFL or tactical website. Also, if you are new to the business and would like to learn more about FFL e-commerce check out this helpful article we wrote about getting started as an online FFL.
Over the last few years, there has been a lot of back and forth about firearms, Authorize.Net, and restricted businesses. Below we outline the questions and the answers.
Part of the confusion over Authorize.Net and firearms sales, even after they opened up their terms to gun dealers, is the confusion between the payment gateway piece and the merchant account.
Often, FFL dealers mistakenly think they are declined for an Authorize.Net payment gateway, when in fact they have been declined by the underlying credit card processor they were simultaneously, and unknowingly, applying for.
The concern is no longer whether or not Authorize.Net allows legal, FFL to FFL, firearms sales – that is a clear yes – but rather what process, or set of steps, an online gun dealer must follow in order to process payments for FFL transactions using Authorize.Net.
Setting up a legal, FFL to FFL firearms site or ammunition page online correctly is not overly complicated but it does need to be done properly. We encourage you to reach out today if you have any questions or want advice on FFL payment processing using Authorize.Net.
FFL friendly gateways for GunBroker, WooCommerce, Squarespace, Wix, BigCommerce, or Shopify
As an FFL, the fact that you can use Authorize.Net for hundreds of shopping cart integrations including perennial powerhouses, GunBroker, BigCommerce, WordPress-WooCommerce, and Shopify is great news. These site builders, auction platforms, and shopping carts make up a huge portion of e-commerce sites nationwide. The ability to use Authorize.Net – again, when set up carefully through a specialized provider – opens up the options for FFLs online.
Another development that has added flexibility to FFL to FFL e-commerce is Foxy.io. It serves as an excellent facilitator, allowing you to use Wix effortlessly for FFL sales as it integrates with both Authorize.Net and NMI.
If you have already invested the time and money into your FFL, the time for gearing up sales and making sure your payment processes are ready is now. If you need help finding a 2A friendly payment gateway and FFL credit card processing, we are happy to help. Please contact us anytime using the form at the bottom of this page and we will provide a recommendation right away.
Below are our guides to processing high-risk payments like FFL sales on the most popular website builders and platforms:
- Online payment processing for FFLs 101
- AmmoReady payment processing
- BigCommerce payment processing
- Foxy Cart Foxy.io payment processing for FFLs and tactical sites
- GunBroker payment processing
- Shopify Payments alternative payment processing
- Shopify’s firearms policy
- Squarespace payment processing options for high-risk
- Weebly payment processing alternatives
- WooCommerce payment processing for FFLs and tactical sites
Years ago, Authorize.Net was the “go-to” gateway for online firearms sales. Then, due to a much-publicized update to their terms, they stopped taking in new e-commerce firearms dealers and entirely ended services they were providing for many others.
Some of the dealers affected were large enough to make waves nationwide on such media outlets as The Washington Times Opinion page and theBlaze.com. This caused a considerable amount of confusion and turmoil in the industry. This abrupt shift meant that, for example, many small FFL dealers looking pay payment processing – who finally got their shooting sports website up and running were in for an unpleasant surprise. Because of Authorize.Net’s changes, these merchants had suddenly found that they needed a new gateway and, even worse, that their cart did not support many second amendment friendly gateways.
Luckily, online firearms dealers can now benefit from our long-standing relationships with leaders in the American FFL-friendly merchant account business. This allows us to better help our clients to understand their options and recommend FFL-friendly payment gateways such as Authorize.Net, NMI, and eProcessing Network. Most options work out very well for FFL businesses due to their compatibility with auction sites like Gun Broker and Gun Auction, in addition to compatibility with most major shopping carts.
A review of Authorize.Net’s current terms and conditions and their service agreement shows that there is no longer any mention of guns, firearms, or weapons of any kind.
As reported at the time by GunsSaveLives.net, the NSSF reached out to Authorize.Net quite some time ago and, seemingly based at least in part on their outreach, the terms and conditions were amended. We have been able to confirm this and have also been assisting online FFL dealers with new Authorize.Net gun-friendly payment gateways and merchant account recommendations for many years.
- Here is a direct link to the Authorize.Net terms and conditions that outline their prohibited products and services: https://www.authorize.net/company/terms
- Here is a link that allows you to view and download a PDF of the Authorize.Net service agreement: https://www.authorize.net/content/dam/anet-redesign/documents/Authorize.Net_Service_Agreement.pdf
Terms and conditions can change at any time, so please read them yourself and feel free to contact us for the latest updates as it relates to online credit card processing for FFL dealers.
For many online FFL dealers, Authorize.Net is the best solution for firearms payment processing due to its lack of 2A restrictions and its hundreds of merchant account and shopping cart integrations, including WooCommerce, Shopify, and GunBroker. Additionally, merchants that use certain platforms, like Shopify, may find that Authorize.Net is one of the few payment gateways that can easily integrate with their shopping cart.
Some FFL dealers prefer alternative payment gateways for their online gun site, including ePN and NMI. We are familiar with all three, and the dedicated, independent agents that we work through can provide the pros and cons to you, at no cost, with no obligation.
It is important to reemphasize that you need to have an Authorize.Net account set up with an FFL-friendly processor. For example, Authorize.Net works with literally hundreds of processors, and most are not gun-friendly, regardless of your FFL status.
We will help you find the best FFL-friendly processor that connects to Authorize.Net and allows your exact product line. Contact us using the short form below for a recommendation, and we will help you get set up and accepting credit cards online right away.
IMPORTANT:
- Always read each of your providers’ terms and conditions carefully.
- Always consult an attorney familiar with online firearms sales and e-commerce prior to engaging in any firearms transactions, including regulated FFL to FFL shipments as described above.