# Merchant accounts for firearms and ammunition

Merchant accounts for licensed firearms, ammunition and accessories retailers. One KYC application to acquirers that board firearms, with failover so a processor ban never stops sales.

Page: https://www.orchestrapay.com/regulated-industries/merchant-accounts-for-firearms-and-ammunition

Typical merchant category code: 5941.

## What acquirers look at

Firearms and ammunition retailers are excluded by most mainstream processors. Acquirers that board them check dealer licensing and how you meet transfer, age and shipping rules in each market.

- **Dealer licensing.** A valid dealer license (in the US, an FFL) and any state licenses your products require.
- **Transfer and background checks.** Firearms transferred through a licensed dealer with the background checks the law requires.
- **Age verification.** Age checks for ammunition and restricted accessories.
- **Shipping restrictions.** Blocking for states and countries where products cannot be shipped.
- **Product catalogue.** A clear list of what you sell, so acquirers can check it against their rules.

## How Orchestrapay helps

1. **Acquirer Network.** One KYC application, sent to the acquirers in our network of 40+ that board firearms and ammunition retailers, pre-matched to each acquirer's boarding rules and aware of MATCH status. Approval is always the acquirer's decision.
2. **Never depend on one processor.** Run several merchant accounts behind Smart Routing, with failover when one is paused, and keep your customers' cards in a vault you own.
3. **Keep your accounts.** Chargeback Alerts, Dispute Deflection, VAMP & MATCH Management, 3D Secure and the Antifraud Engine keep dispute and fraud ratios under the card scheme thresholds.

You must hold the licenses and registrations your markets require.

## FAQ

**Why did my processor refuse me?** Many mainstream processors exclude firearms by policy. Acquirers in our network that board licensed dealers review you on your licensing and controls.

**Do I need an FFL to apply?** In the US, firearms dealers need an FFL. Ammunition and accessories have their own rules by state; you must hold the licenses your products require.

**Can I sell accessories only?** Yes, and acquirers often treat accessories differently. Tell us your catalogue and we match it to their rules.

**What if a processor drops firearms overnight?** With several accounts and routing failover, payments keep going through your other acquirers.

**Do you restrict where I ship?** Your store controls shipping; routing can also refuse payments by country.

## Related

- [Acquirer Network](https://www.orchestrapay.com/products/acquirer-network.md)
- [Never depend on one processor](https://www.orchestrapay.com/solutions/processor-redundancy.md)
- [VAMP & MATCH Management](https://www.orchestrapay.com/solutions/vamp-match-management.md)
- [All regulated industries](https://www.orchestrapay.com/regulated-industries.md)
- [Talk to sales](https://www.orchestrapay.com/contact)