Paypal's firearm policy

[plunkettphoto]

Perhaps everyone knew this but me but I just learned about Paypal's policy of not allowing transactions that involve firearms.

I just purchased a Colt Single Action Army handgun from an out of state dealer on gunbroker.com - the basic instructions for paying for the transaction included a paypal option which I chose for convenience. When completing the transaction according to the emailed instructions no paypal option was available so I had to call in my credit card number to the dealer. I ask him about paypal and he said the first option must have been left over from old instructions because if paypal finds out you're a gun dealer they close your account.

I went to the paypal policy page and, sure 'nough, there it was - no transactions involving firearms are allowed.

I would suggest we all let paypal know that it's certainly there right to maintain that policy, but it means I won't' be doing business via paypal. If they realize that the policy is costing them money they may change it.

bill plunkett
longview, texas

[AEA]

DUH.....

[SATX-Scrub]

I just use the free PayPal Visa debit card associated with my account. Never had a problem.

[Charles L. Cotton]

PayPal is owned by ebay and ebay quit allowing gun sales because of pressure from the BATFE.

Chas.

[rm9792]

Not that I have ever been the voice of reason, but dont tell them it is a firearm? Paypal is horrible and always has been. They linked me to some account I have never had so they refuse to let me open an account without giving them all my personal info, ssn, checking acct, etc. That aint ever happening. They do have a guest mode as a workaround.

[bilgerat57]

I have become a fan of the Green Dot prepaid visa cards for online and phone transactions. They aren't linked to any bank account and if they happen to be hacked, all they can get is what is on the card. There is the nuisance of the fees, but the security is worth it to me. I just use paypal for little things now.

[Razgriz]

Paypal screws everyone over. The creator of Minecraft (indie game that basically blew up with popularity almost over night) had his account suspended because they thought that he was "selling drugs" and refused to reopen the account, even after proving he had a legitimate business. That plus the whole "no guns" policy is why I will never use Paypal.

[steelhawk]

I wasn't aware of their firearm policy. I use it to accept payment for holsters and haven't had a problem. They take a cut, so I prefer cash or check, but then there are problems with that as well. Cash can't safely be mailed and checks can bounce, although none have yet. There aren't many alternatives, since I am not yet set up to take credit cards.

[LSUTiger]

thats funny ive paid for FFL transfers using pay pal,

[rm9792]

I wasn't aware of their firearm policy. I use it to accept payment for holsters and haven't had a problem. They take a cut, so I prefer cash or check, but then there are problems with that as well. Cash can't safely be mailed and checks can bounce, although none have yet. There aren't many alternatives, since I am not yet set up to take credit cards.

Tell the buyer if they send a check it has to wait a week to clear.

[bilgerat57]

Simply list the transaction as being for anything other than a firearm. It's none of their business what the money is for. List it as sport equipment, home defense gear or just hardware....... All they need to know is how much from who to who......

[cheezit]

paypal has a gift feature too.

[OldCannon]

I'm fine with PayPal's policies. I don't _agree_ with them, but it's their business, their risk, and they DO spell out what you can and cannot transact in. Most folks get mad because it takes away all the convenience they have gotten used to in the internet age

At least PayPal hasn't been the debacle that GunPal turned out to be. THAT was a big disappointment.

[Rex B]

paypal has a gift feature too.

IIRC when you select the option, the payer pays the fees, instead of the other way around as is normal for a sale.
Used to be an option to avoid fees, but I haven't found it lately.

[JKTex]

If someone will accept it, you can use it. You just be discrete and stick to transferring money and not try to label it with details about what it's for.

eBay allows all kinds of gun related items, I've used it for all kinds of things. Just not guns.

They also don't allow sales of, or payment for breast milk. There's a whole list of things they won't allow sold on eBay or obviously paid for with Paypal.

The positive is that with eBay deciding to restrict gun sales, them not being set up to manage those transactions, it opened the door for the likes of GunBroker and the other auctions sites. For that, I'm glad. BTW, I recently paid for something in GunBroker with Paypal. I simply paid as a personal gift. If eBay was really trying to restrict or control gun sales, or anything else, they'd remove that discrete option of payment. The way it is, it keeps their feet out of the fire and we're free to pay and receive money at will.