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.
How other platforms handle this
Send bulk emails, meaning commercial or marketing emails directed to a number of individuals with the same content, through Mailchimp Inbox.
You may not display any personal contact, banking, or peer-to-peer payment information, whether in relation to you or any other person (for example, names, home addresses or postcodes, telephone numbers, email addresses, URLs, credit/debit card...)
You agree that Promotional Codes: (a) must be used in a lawful manner; (b) must be used for the intended audience and purpose; (c) may not be duplicated, sold or transferred in any manner...
"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 Acceptable Use Policy
(1) REGULATORY FRAMEWORK: This provision directly implicates the Gun Control Act of 1968 (18 U.S.C.
Enforcement risk, jurisdiction flags, contract triggers, and due diligence action items.
Get the research letter
Companies change their terms quietly. We read every version and catch what actually changed. One email a week on the changes that matter and what they mean.
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.
ConductAtlas has identified this type of provision across 282 platforms. See the full comparison.
No. ConductAtlas is an independent monitoring service. We are not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by Shopify.