Think getting an FFL requires a retail storefront and a massive upfront investment? Think again. Over 128,000 FFLs are active in the US today, and the majority of them are home-based. In this episode, we break down the exact six-step startup checklist to get your Federal Firearms License—from confirming your eligibility to making your first legal transfer.

What You'll Learn in This Episode:

• Step 1: Eligibility – The baseline requirements and understanding "genuine business intent."
• Step 2: Zoning & HOAs – The #1 reason applications fail and how to avoid it.
• Step 3: Business Foundation – Setting up your LLC, EIN, and business bank accounts.
• Step 4: ATF Form 7 – What goes into your application package and realistic timelines.
• Step 5: The IOI Interview – How to prepare your space and systems for the investigator.
• Step 6: Compliance & Payments – Getting your A&D bound book, 4473s, and merchant processing ready before Day 1.

The firearms industry generated $90 billion in economic impact in 2023, yet despite this massive growth, most gun stores fail.

In Episode 28, Ron from TacticalPay breaks down the five biggest reasons firearms retailers close their doors... and more importantly, what the successful ones are doing differently.

Whether you're an established FFL or planning to open your first shop, every single one of these pitfalls is avoidable if you see it coming.

Is SHOT Show worth attending for gun store owners, FFLs, and firearms businesses? In this episode of Firearm Payments 101, we give an honest review of SHOT Show in Las Vegas — based on years of exhibiting at the largest shooting, hunting, and outdoor industry trade show as part of the TacticalPay team. Inside This Episode:

• Event Overview: A look at the massive January event (Venetian Expo & Caesars Forum) featuring 54,000+ pros and over 2,700 exhibitors.
• Qualifications & Pricing: Breakdown of who qualifies for this trade-only NSSF event and what registration costs for members vs. non-members.
• The Ground Experience: A realistic look at the costs (flights, hotels, time away), networking events, and the New Product Center.
• 8 Pro Tips: Insider advice on using the mobile app, mapping your must-see vendors, badge pickup, and more.
• Meet TacticalPay: Come visit our booth to see our live gun store POS system and learn why over 1,000 firearms businesses trust us!

Stop getting surprised by hidden fees. In this episode of FFL Launch, we break down the true costs of a firearms POS system so gun store owners can make true apples-to-apples vendor comparisons. Most POS platforms use a custom-quote model, meaning advertised starting prices rarely reflect the final bill. We walk you through every critical cost category so you know exactly what numbers to push for, including:

1. Core Costs: Software fees, hardware bundles, and setup/onboarding.
2. Compliance & Processing: A&D Bound Book integrations, 4473 compliance, and payment processing rates.
3. The Fine Print: Add-on modules, software updates, and contract lock-in terms (including early termination and data ownership).

Using popular platforms like Bravo Store Systems, Celerant, and Rapid Gun Systems as reference points, we show you what red flags to watch for and what questions to ask before signing.

Setting up a payment gateway on GunBroker is one of the most important decisions a gun seller or FFL can make — and the difference between Standard Checkout and Immediate Checkout directly affects how fast you get paid and how professional your listings look. In this episode of Firearm Payments 101, we break down how GunBroker payments work, which gateways are supported, and how to configure Immediate Checkout step by step.

We start with the distinction between a payment gateway and a merchant processor — because GunBroker lists them separately and a lot of sellers aren't sure why that matters. A payment gateway captures and transmits card data. A merchant processor manages your merchant account and moves funds into your bank. Some companies handle both. Knowing the difference helps you ask the right questions before you commit to a provider.

Starting a gun store is one of the most regulated paths in retail. The dealers who get it right from day one are the ones who understand what's required before they're in it.

This is your seven-step checklist for launching a firearms business the right way -- from forming your LLC, to getting your FFL, and choosing a POS system that fits your budget.

PayPal, Venmo, and Zelle are fast, familiar, and already on your customers' phones — and for an FFL dealer, they're among the most avoidable payment mistakes you can make. In this episode, we break down exactly why these platforms create serious risk for licensed firearms dealers, what their terms of service actually say about firearms transactions, and what happens when an account gets flagged.

If your gun store's POS system and payment processor are the same company, your entire operation has a single point of failure. Most firearms retailers don't think about this until a merchant account freeze shuts down everything at once: point-of-sale software, payment accounts, and sales floor.

Listen along as we break down the difference between open and closed POS platforms, why bundled systems create dangerous dependency for FFLs, and the four questions every firearms dealer should ask before choosing their Point of Sale system.

Gun store merchant account terminated? Before you reapply anywhere, listen to this. Most firearms dealers make the same costly mistakes in the first 48 hours after a termination, mistakes that turn a 3-day problem into a 3-month problem.

On this episode we break down why firearms merchant accounts get terminated so often, and why re-applying to Square, Stripe, or general processors can make things worse. Plus, we show you the right way to get back online with a processor that's actually built for gun stores and FFLs.

Need to take payments on the go? Whether you're selling at events, out on the range, or operating from a mobile setup, the right mobile POS system is a must. Learn what features FFLs should look for—from wireless card readers and inventory tools to firearm-friendly integrations and data security. Don't risk lost sales or frozen accounts—get set up the right way from the start.