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- Can you buy guns with Affirm? No, Affirm does not allow financing for firearms, ammunition, or weapons.
- Affirm is a “buy now, pay later” service with strict purchase restrictions.
- Firearms, ammunition, and some weapon-related accessories are prohibited under Affirm’s policies.
- Affirm restricts firearm purchases due to legal compliance, risk management, and company policy.
- Some firearm accessories, such as gun safes, may be eligible for Affirm financing.
- No gun retailers accept Affirm for firearm purchases, including major stores like Bass Pro Shops and Cabela’s.
- Affirm evaluates loan eligibility based on credit score, purchase amount, and payment history.
- Alternative firearm financing options include credit cards, layaway plans, gun-specific financing services, and personal loans.
- Cash and debit cards are also viable payment methods for gun purchases.
- Affirm also restricts financing for illegal drugs, gambling, adult content, cryptocurrency, and other high-risk items.
- Gun buyers must explore other payment options since Affirm does not support firearm transactions.
Can You Buy Guns with Affirm?
When shopping for firearms or ammunition, buyers often look for financing options to spread out the cost. One common question people ask is: can you buy guns with Affirm? The short answer is no.
Affirm does not allow its financing services to be used for purchasing guns, ammunition, or other weapons. This restriction applies to both physical and online retailers, regardless of whether the purchase is legal in a buyer’s location.
Affirm is a “buy now, pay later” (BNPL) service that allows consumers to split purchases into manageable payments. However, Affirm has clear restrictions on what types of products can be financed. Firearms, ammunition, and weapon-related accessories fall under prohibited purchases.
This guide will explain why Affirm does not allow firearm purchases, what other restrictions exist, and what alternative payment options are available for gun buyers.
Understanding Affirm’s Purchase Restrictions
Affirm provides short-term and long-term financing, making it easier for customers to buy expensive items over time. However, Affirm prohibits transactions involving weapons due to legal, regulatory, and risk concerns. This includes:
- Firearms (handguns, rifles, shotguns)
- Ammunition (bullets, shells)
- Explosives or pyrotechnics
- Certain firearm accessories (such as high-capacity magazines)
- Knives and other dangerous weapons
Affirm operates within strict guidelines that prevent its loans from being used for illegal or high-risk purchases. Even though guns are legally sold in many states, Affirm still does not approve financing for firearms or ammunition.
Why Doesn’t Affirm Allow Gun Purchases?
There are a few key reasons why Affirm does not allow its financing services to be used for firearm-related purchases:
- Legal Compliance: Affirm must comply with laws and regulations that vary by state and country. Some states have stricter gun laws than others, and Affirm avoids the risk of violating state or federal laws by banning all firearm transactions.
- Risk Management: Firearms and ammunition are high-liability products. Lending money for these purchases could expose Affirm to potential risks, including misuse of weapons or legal disputes. By restricting firearm purchases, Affirm reduces its liability.
- Company Policies: Many financial companies choose not to support firearm sales due to ethical or business-related decisions. Affirm is not required to finance all legal products, and it has chosen to exclude firearms and related items from its financing options.
What About Firearm Accessories?
Affirm’s restrictions also apply to certain firearm parts and accessories. While some items may be eligible for financing, others are strictly prohibited. Here are some examples:
- Scopes, optics, and firearm cases – May be allowed depending on the retailer.
- Gun safes and storage solutions – Often eligible for financing.
- High-capacity magazines or bump stocks – Prohibited.
- Suppressors, silencers, and flash suppressors – Prohibited.
If you are unsure whether an item is eligible for Affirm financing, check the retailer’s payment options at checkout.
Can You Buy Guns with Affirm at Any Retailer?
No, you cannot use Affirm to buy guns from any retailer, whether online or in-store. Even if a retailer accepts Affirm for other products, it will not approve loans for firearms or ammunition. Retailers that specialize in firearms, such as Bass Pro Shops, Cabela’s, Sportsman’s Warehouse, and Brownells, do not offer Affirm as a payment option for guns.
Some online gun stores may provide alternative financing options, but Affirm is not one of them. If you see a firearm seller claiming to accept Affirm, double-check with Affirm’s official policies, as it is likely incorrect.
How Does Affirm Make Loan Decisions?
Even for eligible purchases, Affirm does not automatically approve every loan. When you apply for financing through Affirm, the company evaluates:
- Your credit score
- Your payment history with Affirm
- The total cost of the purchase
- Your ability to repay the loan
Affirm sends reminders via email and SMS about upcoming payments after a purchase. If you miss payments, it can negatively affect your credit score.
Alternative Payment Methods for Buying Guns
Since you cannot buy guns with Affirm, here are some alternative payment options:
1. Credit Cards
Most firearm retailers accept major credit cards like Visa, Mastercard, American Express, and Discover. Many credit card companies allow firearm purchases as long as they comply with federal and state laws.
2. Layaway Plans
Some gun retailers offer layaway programs, allowing buyers to make payments over time before receiving their firearm. Unlike Affirm, layaway does not involve a loan; instead, the store holds the item until it is fully paid for.
3. Gun-Specific Financing Services
Certain companies specialize in firearm financing, such as:
- Credova – Offers BNPL options for firearm purchases.
- Sezzle – Sometimes available for gun-related purchases.
These services work similarly to Affirm but do not have the same restrictions on gun sales.
4. Personal Loans
If you need financing for a firearm purchase, a personal loan from a bank or credit union may be an option. Personal loans can be used for almost any legal purchase, including firearms.
5. Cash or Debit Cards
Many gun buyers prefer to use cash or a debit card to avoid financing altogether. This method prevents interest charges and ensures full ownership of the firearm without debt.
Does Affirm Restrict Other Items?
Affirm does not only restrict firearm sales. Other products and services that cannot be financed with Affirm include:
- Illegal drugs and substances (including cannabis in certain states)
- Gambling or lottery tickets
- Adult content and services
- Cryptocurrency purchases
- Weapons and explosives
Affirm’s loan policies are designed to comply with regulations and reduce financial risk.
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are some of the related questions people also ask:
Can you buy guns with Affirm?
No, you cannot use Affirm to buy guns, ammunition, or other weapons. Affirm prohibits financing firearm-related purchases due to legal and policy restrictions.
Why doesn’t Affirm allow gun purchases?
Affirm restricts firearm sales to comply with legal regulations, reduce financial risk, and align with company policies that prohibit financing high-liability products.
Does Affirm allow financing for firearm accessories?
Some firearm accessories, such as gun safes and optics, may be eligible for Affirm financing, but high-capacity magazines and suppressors are prohibited.
Can I use Affirm at stores like Bass Pro Shops or Cabela’s to buy guns?
No, even if these stores accept Affirm for other products, they do not allow Affirm financing for firearm purchases.
What payment options can I use to buy a gun instead of Affirm?
Alternative payment methods include credit cards, layaway plans, gun-specific financing services like Credova, personal loans, or cash.
Does Affirm allow financing for ammunition purchases?
No, Affirm does not permit financing for ammunition purchases, just like it prohibits firearm purchases.
Are there any buy now, pay later services that allow gun purchases?
Yes, some firearm-friendly financing services like Credova and Sezzle may allow gun purchases, depending on the retailer.
Can I use Affirm for gun-related safety equipment like safes and storage?
Yes, in many cases, Affirm financing is allowed for gun safes, storage solutions, and some non-restricted accessories.
What other items are restricted by Affirm besides firearms?
Affirm prohibits financing for illegal drugs, gambling, adult content, cryptocurrency, explosives, and other high-risk items.
The Bottom Line
To answer the question, can you buy guns with Affirm? The answer is a firm no. Affirm does not allow its financing services to be used for purchasing firearms, ammunition, or certain weapon-related accessories. This restriction is in place due to legal compliance, risk management, and company policy.
If you need to finance a firearm purchase, consider alternative options such as credit cards, layaway plans, firearm financing services, personal loans, or paying with cash or a debit card. Always check with your chosen retailer to see what payment methods they accept.
While Affirm is a popular “buy now, pay later” service, its restrictions mean that gun buyers must look elsewhere for financing solutions.