You cannot use Shopify to sell illegal firearms, ghost guns, untraceable weapons, or parts that convert semi-automatic guns to automatic fire — even if you are otherwise a licensed firearms dealer.
This analysis describes what Shopify's agreement states, permits, or reserves. It does not constitute a legal determination about enforceability. Regulatory applicability and practical outcomes may vary by jurisdiction, enforcement context, and individual circumstances. Read our methodology
This provision establishes categorical restrictions on product categories within Shopify's marketplace, requiring the platform to decline service for specified weapon-related transactions. The clause operationalizes Shopify's policy through jurisdiction-based legality determinations and enumeration of specific prohibited firearm types.
This provision restricts the types of firearms-related products consumers can purchase through Shopify-powered stores, specifically targeting illegal and untraceable weapons that pose public safety risks.
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You agree not to post, upload, publish, submit or transmit any content that: (i) infringes, misappropriates or violates a third party's patent, copyright, trademark, trade secret, moral rights or other intellectual property rights, or rights of publicity or privacy; (ii) violates, or encourages any ...
You must not use Mailchimp to send to role-based email addresses (such as info@, sales@, or support@), to send to addresses harvested from websites or other online sources without permission, or to email addresses obtained through dictionary attacks or automated address generation.
You must not, and must not allow others to: Create content, products, or services using any part of the End User Services
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"Firearms, ammunition, and certain accessories: You may not use Shopify's Services to sell, purchase, or facilitate the sale of firearms, firearm parts, ammunition, or weapons that are illegal in the buyer's or seller's jurisdiction. This includes undetectable firearms, ghost guns, and conversion kits that enable a semi-automatic weapon to fire automatically.— Excerpt from Shopify's Shopify Acceptable Use Policy
(1) REGULATORY FRAMEWORK: This provision directly implicates the Gun Control Act of 1968 (18 U.S.C. § 922), ATF regulations at 27 C.F.R. Part 478 governing licensed dealer requirements and prohibited firearms transactions, and the Undetectable Firearms Act (18 U.S.C. § 922(p)). The Bipartisan Safer Communities Act of 2022 expanded definitions of firearms dealers subject to background check requirements. Enforcement authority rests with the ATF (Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives) and DOJ. (2)
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This provision establishes categorical restrictions on product categories within Shopify's marketplace, requiring the platform to decline service for specified weapon-related transactions. The clause operationalizes Shopify's policy through jurisdiction-based legality determinations and enumeration of specific prohibited firearm types.
This provision restricts the types of firearms-related products consumers can purchase through Shopify-powered stores, specifically targeting illegal and untraceable weapons that pose public safety risks.
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