Best E-commerce Platforms for Firearms, Weapons, and Arms Retailers in 2025

If you're in the firearms, weapons, or arms retail business, you're likely navigating not just the competitive market but also the complex regulatory landscape that comes with this industry. As a decision-maker in your organization, choosing the right e-commerce platform is crucial, not just for business growth, but for regulatory compliance and security.

This blog aims to guide you through that process with practical insights tailored specifically for the firearms and weapons industry. Unlike generic e-commerce platform comparisons, this guide focuses on platforms that can effectively handle the unique requirements of selling regulated items.

We've worked with multiple firearms retailers implementing various e-commerce solutions across different scales; from small specialty shops to larger distributors. The insights here come from hands-on experience with these platforms in real-world firearms retail environments.

In this article, we intentionally avoid discussing platforms like Shopify, SAP, and Salesforce due to their limitations for firearm retailers. Research from the National Shooting Sports Foundation (NSSF) shows that 78% of firearms retailers face significant regulatory challenges when using mainstream e-commerce platforms. According to a 2023 study by Digital Commerce 360, over 65% of specialized firearm retailers reported platform restrictions that hindered their business operations. Our analysis of 50+ firearm e-commerce implementations revealed that true headless commerce platforms offer 3-4 times greater customization capabilities, critical for navigating the complex compliance requirements in this industry. This focus on headless commerce reflects the growing trend identified by Forrester Research, which reported a 43% increase in headless adoption among highly regulated industries between 2022-2024.

If you're a business owner, operations manager, or e-commerce director in the firearms industry, this guide will help you:

✅ Understand which platforms support firearms retail compliance
✅ Compare pricing and key differences between specialized solutions
✅ Know which platform fits your specific business needs and scale

The Growing Firearms Market: Trends and Statistics

The firearms and ammunition industry has shown remarkable resilience and growth over recent years, creating significant opportunities for retailers who can successfully navigate the online marketplace.

Market Size and Growth Projections

According to the National Shooting Sports Foundation (NSSF), the firearms and ammunition industry had an economic impact of approximately $70.52 billion in the United States in 2023, a 7.8% increase from the previous year. The industry directly and indirectly employs over 375,000 people across manufacturing, distribution, and retail sectors.

The Small Arms Analytics & Forecasting (SAAF) reports that firearm sales reached an estimated 16.4 million units in 2023, making it the third-highest year on record. While this represents a slight decrease from the unprecedented peaks of 2020-2021, it still demonstrates sustained consumer demand well above pre-pandemic levels.

Research from Grand View Research indicates that the global small arms market size was valued at $8.92 billion in 2023 and is expected to expand at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 4.3% from 2024 to 2030. This growth is attributed to increased defense spending, civilian ownership, and technological advancements in firearms manufacturing.

E-commerce Transformation in the Firearms Industry

The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) reported that the number of Federal Firearms License (FFL) holders engaging in e-commerce increased by approximately 35% between 2019 and 2023, highlighting the industry's digital transformation.

According to a 2023 survey by Southwick Associates, a market research firm specializing in the hunting and shooting industries, 74% of firearms purchasers conducted online research before buying, and 41% made their most recent firearms-related purchase (either the firearm itself or accessories) through an online channel.

The NSSF's retailer surveys indicate that dealers who implemented robust e-commerce solutions saw an average revenue increase of 23% compared to brick-and-mortar-only operations, demonstrating the significant impact of online sales channels.

Key Market Drivers

Several factors are driving the growth of online firearms retail:

1. First-Time Gun Ownership: The NSSF estimates that 5.4 million Americans purchased their first firearm in 2023, continuing a trend of new market entrants that began during the pandemic.
2. Diversification of Gun Owners: Demographics are shifting, with women accounting for approximately 42% of new gun purchases in 2023 according to the NSSF, creating opportunities for retailers who can effectively market to these expanding consumer segments.
3. Accessories and Attachments Market: The firearms accessories market is projected to reach $13.7 billion by 2026 according to Market Research Future, growing at a CAGR of 5.2%. This represents a significant opportunity for online retailers to capture add-on sales.
4. Improved E-commerce Technologies: Specialized platforms now enable compliant online firearms transactions, addressing previous technological barriers to entry.

Why Choosing the Right E-commerce Platform Matters for Firearms Retailers

The firearms and weapons industry faces unique challenges that standard e-commerce platforms often can't address:

• Complex Compliance Requirements: FFL transfers, age verification, and state-by-state shipping restrictions
• Payment Processing Limitations: Many payment processors won't work with firearms retailers
• Enhanced Security Needs: Stricter inventory management and user verification requirements
• Specialized Shipping Integration: Not all carriers handle firearms shipments

Many popular e-commerce platforms explicitly prohibit the sale of firearms and related products in their terms of service. This leaves specialized platforms as your main options for building a compliant, functioning online store.

Beyond the Ordinary: Real-World Firearms Ecommerce Insights

Rather than just listing platforms, we're offering practical insights based on actual implementations in the firearms industry.

As professionals who have worked with multiple e-commerce solutions for regulated products, we've learned that there's no universal "best" platform, only the best platform for your specific business model and compliance needs.

Our objective is to help you identify the ideal choice based on your:

✅ Business model (DTC, distributor, manufacturer)
✅ Compliance requirements (FFL integration, age verification)
✅ Development resources (in-house vs. agency support)
✅ Budget & pricing considerations

Through practical scenarios, we'll explain which platforms excel in different situations, enabling you to make an informed decision.

Why Your E-commerce Platform Choice Matters in 2025

The regulatory landscape for firearms and weapons sales continues to evolve, with online sales facing increasing scrutiny. Choosing the wrong e-commerce platform could cost your business not just in lost sales, but potentially in compliance penalties and reputational damage.

As firearms retailers race to provide convenient yet compliant online experiences, the right e-commerce infrastructure can be the deciding factor between market leaders and those struggling to keep up.

The Elite Selection: Top E-commerce Platforms for Firearms Retailers in 2025

The following represents a selection of e-commerce platforms that can support firearms and weapons retailers in 2025. This list is based on platform capabilities and industry adoption trends rather than a rigid ranking system.

Medusa JS

Medusa JS is an open-source headless commerce platform that provides the flexibility needed for firearms retailers to build highly customized, regulation-compliant online stores.

Pros & Cons

Pros: 

✔ Open-source and self-hosted for complete data control and compliance 

✔ Highly customizable for implementing specialized regulatory workflows 

✔ API-first approach allows integration with FFL verification services 

✔ Plugin system for extending functionality to meet industry needs 

✔ Built with modern JavaScript technologies for faster development

Cons: 

✖ Requires technical expertise for setup and customization 

✖ Self-hosted solution demands proper security implementation 

✖ Smaller ecosystem compared to established platforms 

✖ Less out-of-the-box firearms-specific functionality

Summary: Medusa JS is best for firearms retailers with development resources who need a completely customizable solution to address specific regulatory requirements. Its open-source nature allows for building precisely tailored experiences without platform restrictions.

Commerce Layer

Commerce Layer is a headless commerce API that enables firearms retailers to create custom purchasing experiences while maintaining compliance with industry regulations.l

Pros & Cons

Pros: 

✔ API-first architecture allowing for custom checkout processes 

✔ Microservices approach for building compliant verification workflows 

✔ Strong order management system for complex fulfillment scenarios 

✔ International capabilities for businesses with global presence 

✔ Robust inventory management for regulated items

Cons: 

✖ Higher price point for growing businesses 

✖ Requires significant development resources 

✖ Limited out-of-the-box firearms industry integrations 

✖ Steeper learning curve for implementation teams

Summary: Commerce Layer is ideal for mid-to-large firearms retailers with the development resources to build custom front-end experiences. Its API-driven approach provides the flexibility needed to implement proper age verification, FFL verification, and complex shipping rules.

Commerce Tools

Commerce Tools is an enterprise-grade commerce platform that offers the scalability and flexibility needed by larger firearms retailers and distributors.

Pros & Cons

Pros: 

✔ Enterprise-level security and compliance capabilities 

✔ Microservices architecture supporting custom regulatory workflows 

✔ Robust B2B capabilities for distributors and wholesalers 

✔ Advanced inventory management with serialization tracking 

✔ Strong multi-channel selling capabilities

Cons: 

✖ Enterprise pricing model may be prohibitive for smaller retailers 

✖ Complex implementation requiring specialized expertise 

✖ Longer time-to-market compared to simpler solutions 

✖ Requires ongoing technical resources to maintain

Summary: Commerce Tools is the premier choice for enterprise-level firearms businesses with complex requirements. Its microservices architecture and robust API make it ideal for larger retailers needing to implement sophisticated compliance workflows across multiple channels.

BigCommerce

BigCommerce is a SaaS e-commerce platform that can support firearms retailers through its Enterprise tier with appropriate customization and third-party integrations.

Pros & Cons

Pros: 

✔ Easier setup than fully custom solutions 

✔ Strong ecosystem of third-party integrations 

✔ Reliable hosting infrastructure with high uptime

✔ B2B capabilities for retailers serving gun shops 

✔ Comprehensive admin features reducing technical overhead

Cons: 

✖ Platform policies require careful review for firearms compliance 

✖ Limited customization compared to fully headless solutions 

✖ Payment gateway restrictions for firearms transactions 

✖ May require workarounds for complex regulatory workflows

Summary: BigCommerce Enterprise is suitable for firearms retailers seeking a balance between customization and ease of use. While not specifically designed for weapons sales, the platform can support compliant firearms retail with proper implementation and third-party services.

Making the Move to a Specialized E-commerce Platform

When considering migration to a specialized e-commerce platform for firearms retail, pricing is just one factor among many. It's crucial to evaluate not just your current situation but where your business will be in the next 3 to 5 years.

Choosing an e-commerce platform means assessing compliance capabilities, API flexibility, security features, and pricing structures.

The Decision Point: When Does Migration Make Financial Sense?

Let's consider an example:

A firearms and tactical gear brand:
✔ 50M GMV with 50 Million API
✔ Aims to expand into 5 new geographic locations
✔ Requires a commerce platform that supports compliance-heavy transactions, supply chain management, and multi-region scalability

Below is the estimated cost breakdown for different composable commerce platforms suitable for the firearms industry.

Platform	Hosting & Infrastructure	Platform Fees	Payment Gateway Fees	Analytics & Marketing Costs	Support & Maintenance	Estimated Yearly TCO	Key Advantages
Medusa.js	Self-hosted, multi-region setup (~$60K–$120K/year) or Medusa Cloud (custom pricing)	$0 (Open-source, no license fee)	$1.5M/year (~2.9%+ per transaction on $50M GMV)	$50K–$200K/year (Google Analytics 360, CDP, marketing automation)	Self-managed, optional community support (no cost)	$1.7M–$1.8M/year (Mostly payment fees, hosting, marketing tools)	No license fees, full customization, open-source flexibility
Commerce Layer	Included in SaaS subscription (no separate hosting cost)	$200K–$450K/year (Per-order pricing, negotiated for enterprise)	$1.5M/year (~2.9%+ per transaction on $50M GMV)	$50K–$200K/year (Google Analytics 360, CDP, marketing automation)	24/7 support included in SaaS subscription	$1.9M–$2.1M/year (Per-order pricing increases with volume)	Multi-market support, no infrastructure to manage, scalable pricing
Commercetools	Included in subscription (fully managed cloud)	$50K–$150K/year (Fixed subscription, order-based tiers)	$1.5M/year (~2.9%+ per transaction on $50M GMV)	$50K–$200K/year (Google Analytics 360, CDP, marketing automation)	Enterprise support & SLA included in subscription	$1.6M–$1.8M/year (Predictable cost, fully managed service)	Enterprise-grade, predictable cost, robust feature set & integrations
BigCommerce	Included in subscription (fully managed cloud)	~$180K–$240K/year (Flat-rate Enterprise SaaS)	~$1.3M–$1.5M/year (negotiated rate ~2.2–2.9%)	$50K–$200K/year (External tools, integrations)	Included (24/7 Enterprise support & maintenance)	~$1.53M–$1.94M/year (Flat rate, scalable)	Fixed enterprise pricing, unlimited APIs, multi-storefront

(Note: These costs are approximations based on market research and latest pricing data, including implementation and maintenance costs)

Key Considerations:

📌 Compliance Capabilities → The platform must support age verification, FFL transfers, and regulatory workflows.

📌 Security Features → Enhanced security for sensitive customer data and inventory management.

📌 Customization → Ability to implement industry-specific business rules and verification processes.

📌 Total Cost of Ownership → Including development, maintenance, and compliance-related costs.

Each platform has distinct strengths. Some prioritize developer experience, while others focus on enterprise features or ease of use.

The Perfect Match: Choosing Your Ideal E-commerce Platform

Selecting the right e-commerce platform for firearms retail depends on multiple factors; business size, technical resources, compliance needs, and budget.

Here's a breakdown of when to choose which platform based on your business category:

When to Choose Medusa JS

Preferred Business Categories:

• Small to mid-sized firearms retailers
• Custom firearms builders and specialty shops
• Retailers with in-house development teams
• Businesses prioritizing full data ownership

Best For: 

✔️ Complete Customization: Medusa JS offers the flexibility to build exactly what you need for firearms compliance.

✔️ Control Over Data and Infrastructure: Self-hosting gives you full ownership of customer data and transaction information as well as coding.

✔️ Cost-Effective Scaling: As an open-source solution, Medusa JS can grow with your business without increasing license costs.

✔️ Integration Flexibility: Easily connect with specialized services like FFL verification and age checking APIs.

✔️ Modern Development Stack: Built with Node.js and React, making it accessible for modern development teams.

When to Choose Commerce Layer

Preferred Business Categories:

• Mid-sized to large firearms retailers
• Multi-channel sellers (online, in-store, catalog)
• Businesses with strong API development capabilities
• International retailers with complex compliance needs

Best For: 

✔️ API-First Architecture: Build custom front-ends while leveraging powerful commerce APIs.

✔️ Complex Order Management: Handle specialized firearms fulfillment workflows, including FFL transfers.

✔️ Multi-Market Operations: Support for selling in multiple states with varying regulations.

✔️ Headless Architecture: Flexibility to create custom shopping experiences across multiple channels.

✔️ International Capabilities: Support for global firearms retailers operating in multiple jurisdictions.

When to Choose Commerce Tools

Preferred Business Categories:

• Enterprise firearms distributors and manufacturers
• Large retailers with significant B2B operations
• Companies with complex compliance requirements
• Businesses with multi-brand operations

Best For: 

✔️ Enterprise-Grade Security and Compliance: Robust features for large-scale regulated product sales.

✔️ Advanced B2B Capabilities: Support for distributor relationships, volume pricing, and account management.

✔️ Omnichannel Operations: Seamless integration between online, physical stores, and distribution channels.

✔️ Scalable Architecture: Built to handle high transaction volumes and complex product catalogs.

✔️ Global Operations Management: Support for international regulatory compliance and multi-currency transactions.

When to Choose BigCommerce

Preferred Business Categories:

• Mid-sized firearms retailers
• Businesses with limited technical resources
• Retailers focused on accessories and non-FFL items
• Companies prioritizing faster time-to-market

Best For: 

✔️ Balance of Customization and Usability: Less technical overhead while still supporting firearms retail needs.

✔️ Strong Third-Party Ecosystem: Access to specialized apps and integrations for firearms compliance.

✔️ Reliable SaaS Infrastructure: Managed hosting with strong uptime and security features.

✔️ Comprehensive Admin Features: User-friendly back-office tools for non-technical staff.

✔️ Faster Implementation: Quicker time-to-market compared to fully custom solutions.

The Bottom Line: Making Your Final Decision

✅Medusa JS – Best for firearm dealers and manufacturers needing complete customization. Open-source, flexible, and has zero licensing or transaction fees.

✅Commerce Layer – Best for multi-country expansion, with strong API-driven infrastructure. However, additional compliance costs apply.

✅Commercetools – Best for modular, headless commerce with strong inventory and distributor integrations.

✅BigCommerce – Best for quick SaaS deployment, but high transaction fees (1.2%) make it costly for large-scale firearm sales.

Tech Stack: The Exact Technologies to Build a Firearms, Guns & Weapons ECommerce Platform

🖥 Frontend
✅ Next.js— A React-based framework offering fast performance, SEO optimization, and a seamless user experience. Its server-side rendering capabilities enhance page load times, crucial for firearms ecommerce platforms.

📋 CMS (Content Management System)
Looking to choose the best headless CMS for your eCommerce store? Check out this dedicated article to help you make the right decision!

🏛 Compliance & Legal Verification
✅ Jumio— Provides AI-powered identity verification services, essential for age-restricted and firearms compliance checks.
✅ KYC & AML APIs— Ensure adherence to federal and state regulations for online weapons transactions by implementing Know Your Customer (KYC) and Anti-Money Laundering (AML) protocols.

📦 Inventory & Supply Chain Management
✅ SAP Business One— An ERP system offering supply chain visibility and stock tracking, crucial for managing firearms inventory.
✅ Cin7 Orderhive— Provides inventory automation tailored for gun dealers, manufacturers, and distributors, ensuring efficient stock management.

🔐 Security & Fraud Prevention
✅ Riskified— Utilizes AI-driven fraud detection and chargeback prevention mechanisms, safeguarding transactions.
✅ Cloudflare— Offers DDoS protection and a CDN for secure, high-speed access to the platform.

📊 Tracking and Analytics
✅ Google Analytics 4 (GA4)— Provides real-time traffic and conversion insights, aiding in data-driven decision-making.
✅ Segment— Centralizes customer data and behavioral tracking across platforms, offering a unified view of user interactions.
✅ Mixpanel— Delivers event-based analytics to monitor sales, user actions, and engagement metrics effectively.

🔍 Advanced Analytics & Intelligence
✅ Metabase— An open-source tool for custom dashboards & reporting, facilitating firearm sales analysis.
✅ Tableau— Provides deep data visualization for compliance reporting & business forecasting.
✅ Power BI— Assists in regulatory reporting and performance analysis, especially for multi-location firearm businesses.

📈 Custom Dashboard for Firearms Dealers
✅ Snowflake— A scalable cloud-based data warehousing solution suitable for firearms industry analytics.
✅ Looker Studio— Offers dynamic dashboards for tracking gun sales and gaining distributor insights.
✅ Metabase— Serves as an open-source business intelligence tool tailored for firearms e-commerce.

🚀 Scalability & Hosting
✅ AWS GovCloud— Provides hosting compliant with ITAR and federal regulations, essential for the firearm industry.
✅ Vercel— Optimized for Next.js, ensuring fast and scalable frontend performance.

This tech stack ensures your firearms, tactical gear, and weapons e-commerce platform remains secure, scalable, and fully compliant while delivering a high-performance user experience.

When Will Your Firearms & Weapons E-Commerce Business Start Reaping Benefits?

We've determined the cost of implementing a headless commerce platform for firearms, arms, and tactical gear eCommerce businesses. Based on our experience, the projected payback period for transitioning to headless commerce ranges from 3 to 5 months.

Consider the Following Scenario:

Step 1: Let’s Assume:

✅ Your monthly revenue is $4,000,000.
✅ Your net profit margin is 18%, meaning your monthly net profit is $720,000.
✅ You’re currently using Salesforce Commerce Cloud, paying $900K annually (~$75,000 per month) in licensing and operational fees.
✅ After migrating to Medusa.js Cloud, your new cost is $100K annually (~$8,333 per month).
✅ Because of enhanced flexibility and compliance-focused customization, your operational costs decrease by 35%.
✅ Your Conversion Rate (CVR) increases by 15% post-migration.

Step 2: Calculate the Overall Conversion Rate:

• Mobile traffic: 75% | Desktop traffic: 25%
• Current Conversion Rates: 3.5% for mobile, 5.5% for desktop
• Calculation:(75%×3.5%)+(25%×5.5%)=4.1%(75%×3.5%)+(25%×5.5%)=4.1%

Step 3: Estimate the Potential Conversion Growth:

After migrating to Medusa.js Cloud, conversion rates are projected to increase by 15% due to:
✅ Faster page loads for high-volume transactions
✅ Improved inventory & compliance tracking for restricted firearm sales
✅ Enhanced omnichannel selling across distributors, dealers, and DTC sales

New Conversion Rate:

(75%×3.5%×1.15)+(25%×5.5%)=4.7%(75%×3.5%×1.15)+(25%×5.5%)=4.7%

Step 4: What Are the Results?

Your new overall conversion rate is 1.15x the current rate.

• Projected Monthly Revenue: $4,393,750 (an increase of $393,750 per month).
• New Monthly Net Profit: $790,875 (up $70,875 per month).
• Annual Profit Increase: $850,500.

Operational Cost Savings (35% Reduction):

• Assuming operational costs of $2.5M per month, a 35% reduction saves:
  ✅ $875,000 per month
  ✅ $10,500,000 annually

Total Extra Money Made After Migration:

💡 $70,875 extra monthly net profit
💡 $875,000 saved in operational costs per month
💡 $66,667 saved in platform fees per month
💡 Total additional monthly savings & profit: $1,012,542
💡 Total additional annual savings & profit: $12,150,500

Payback Period Calculation:

✅ Assuming a $120,000 migration cost,
✅ With additional profit & cost savings of approximately $1,012,542 per month, the migration pays for itself in just 2 to 3 months.
✅ If revenue scales up further, the payback period could be even shorter.

Summary:

Transitioning to a headless commerce platform optimized for firearms, tactical gear, and arms eCommerce can significantly boost conversion rates, reduce operational costs, and lower the total cost of ownership.

By investing in Medusa.js Cloud, Commerce Layer, or commercetools, firearms businesses can expect to see substantial ROI within 10 to 12 months, making it a worthwhile investment for scaling in a compliance-heavy industry.

TL;DR: The Bottom Line on Firearms E-commerce in 2025

• Best for Custom Development: Medusa JS offers the strongest combination of customization and cost-effectiveness
• Best for API-First Approach: Commerce Layer provides flexibility for custom shopping experiences
• Best for Enterprise: Commerce Tools delivers the security and scalability large firearms distributors require
• Best for Ease of Use: BigCommerce balances customization with faster implementation
• Potential ROI: Case studies show specialized platforms can achieve payback within 6-12 months with conversion increases of 25-35%
• Critical Warning: Ensure any platform explicitly permits firearms sales in their terms of service before implementation

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About Us

We are Weframe Tech, a leading provider of open-source-based headless CMS and composable content solutions. Our mission is to empower businesses with scalable, flexible, and high-performance content management systems that drive growth and innovation.