Credit Card Processing For Licensed Gun Ranges
A shooting range is a facility in which people can practice shooting firearms safely. Such facilities often operate under restricted and strict safety protocols, making sure that the environment is safe for enthusiasts to practice. However, operating a shooting range in the United States requires strict adherence to safety protocols, compliance with FFL requirements, and implementation of robust business management systems.
In the Shooting Range or Gun Range industry one of the critical factors that is often overlooked is the payment processing. Operating a shooting range would certainly come with a high cost. Operators who want to scale their businesses and provide a smooth customer experience should make sure that their payment processing system is secure, reliable, and fully compliant.
However, several mainstream processors, such as Stripe, Square, PayPal, etc., often do not support transactions related to ammunition, firearms, shooting ranges, etc. Thus, this creates a significant barrier for businesses operating shooting ranges that highly depend on card payments for walk-in customers, lane reservations, training classes, merchandise sales, etc.
In order to bridge this gap, specialized solution providers like QuadraPay step in. We provide a fully dedicated credit card processing solution that is specifically designed and handcrafted for high-risk businesses and industries like licensed gun ranges.
Why Shooting Range Credit Card Processing is Considered High-Risk
Almost all payment processors classify shooting ranges as high-risk merchants, mainly due to their association with firearms. Despite these ranges being licensed and properly regulated, banks and payment processing merchants consider the firearm industry as sensitive due to the heightened legal obligations and strict compliance requirements that come along with these industries. Any transaction involving services related to weapons, ammunition, arms, etc., is immediately raised as a red flag. Hence, banks usually label shooting ranges as high-risk.
Additionally, shooting ranges also face and expose risks to chargebacks. Several customers often tend to book sessions well in advance and then cancel at the very last minute. These give rise to disputes over refunds and thus create an increased risk for payment reversals.
The challenge of public perception also comes along with the other challenges in this industry. A few financial institutions completely avoid industries operating with firearms, shooting ranges, adult toys, etc., to protect their brand reputation. For this very reason, only those processors who are highly specialized and experienced with high-risk industries can reliably support shooting range businesses.
What is a Shooting Range Merchant Account?
A shooting range merchant account is simply a specialized credit card processing account that is tailored to cater to the unique needs of gun range operations. Businesses, with the help of these accounts, can accept payments directly at their facility with the help of POS terminals. These terminals allow customers to pay conveniently with their debit or credit cards. Such a setup is extremely essential for walk-in traffic, where immediate payment solutions are a must.
Additionally, these specialized merchant accounts also enable online payments for training classes, membership subscriptions, reservations of lanes, etc., wherever such activities are legally permitted. Several ranges also sell merchandise related to arms and ammunition, such as safety gear, accessories, etc. However, most importantly, applicants who wish to apply for merchant accounts must have a proper license, incorporation documents, tax records, compliance with industry regulations, etc., to get a smooth approval.
Challenges Shooting Ranges Face With Credit Card Processing
Shooting ranges, as discussed previously, face a lot of challenges with credit card processing. A few of the challenges are listed as follows:
1. Mainstream Processors Decline Applications
Since shooting ranges are considered high-risk, several mainstream payment processing companies like Stripe, PayPal, Square, etc., most of the time categorically prohibit firearms-related transactions. Thus, it leaves legitimate operators with proper licensing without access to digital payment systems and forces them into less efficient alternatives.
2. Higher Chargeback Rates
Chargeback rate issues particularly arise with the cancellation of bookings. The shooting ranges often rely on reservations, and disputes over refunds due to cancellations can strain the processor’s relationship.
3. Insurance & Liability Concerns
On top of these existing challenges, insurance and liability concerns add another layer of difficulty. Several processors require proof of liability coverage before they approve your merchant application. Underwriting for shooting ranges also takes comparatively more time than that of low-risk merchants. The scrutiny exercised by the bank and high-risk PSPs on the FFL licensing, compliance documentation, and the nature of services offered takes a lot of time.
4. Cash-Only Burden
A lack of a reliable processor often pushes shooting range operators to rely on the cash-only business model. This model not only restricts revenue but also increases security risks of handling such large amounts of cash.
Benefits of Using a Specialized Shooting Range Credit Card Processor
Using a specialized shooting range credit card processor comes with a lot of benefits. A few of those benefits are listed below:
Partnering with a specialized shooting range payment processor can completely transform the way gun ranges operate. A good payment processing platform can accept all major credit and debit card payments, thereby increasing revenue generation.
Customers usually prefer cashless transactions, and thus offering these conveniences leads to higher rates in sales and bookings of merchandise and membership, respectively.
Partnering with a specialized processor will enable shooting ranges to accept online prepayments for reservations of training classes. This thereby helps in reducing no-shows, improves scheduling efficiency, and also enhances the overall customer convenience.
The use of advanced fraud and chargeback protection tools further ensures that these businesses can manage any sort of disputes effectively. These experienced and advanced processors only approve licensed ranges that have proper documentation, thereby reducing the risks of account freezes.
Lastly, integrating merchant accounts with the POS system and online gateways enables operators to gain complete solutions for both on-site and digital transactions.
Conclusion. Final Words.
Now you understand that running a shooting range involves high compliance standards, regulations, and other risks. Without the right credit card processor, shooting ranges are likely to face other challenges, such as a frozen merchant account or being forced into cash-only operations. However, with QuadraPay, all licensed gun ranges can stay compliant and profitable. Whether you want to accept in-person payments with POS systems, enable online reservations, or sell any range membership or other merchandise, you can do all with our specialised Shooting range merchant accounts.
FAQs
Q1: Can a shooting range use PayPal or Square for payments?
Unfortunately, no. Shooting ranges cannot use PayPal or Square for payments, as these platforms explicitly prohibit such businesses due to the high risks involved.
Q2: Do I need a firearms license to apply?
You will definitely need a firearms license to apply for a merchant account. Along with the license, you also require a business incorporation and a liability insurance document.
Q3: Can I accept payments for online lane bookings and memberships?
You can definitely accept payments for online lane booking and memberships. QuadraPay solutions integrate your online booking and recurring billing wherever it is permitted.
Q4: What about chargebacks from cancellations?
Chargebacks from cancellations are an alarming issue. However, QuadraPay’s system involves a chargeback alert solution that helps minimize disputes in such cases.
Q5: How long does it take to get approved?
Ideally, approval for a shooting range merchant account takes around 5-7 business days, provided that all your documents and compliances are fulfilled and your shooting ranges are fully licensed.