GunsAmerica
GunsAmerica is a Dallas-based online firearms marketplace founded in 1997 that connects private sellers, licensed FFL dealers, and buyers nationwide through a tiered subscription platform with AI-powered valuation tools and integrated FFL compliance infrastructure.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1997
- HeadquartersNorth Miami Beach, United States
- Headcount1–10
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingDigital Commerce or Content
What GunsAmerica does
GunsAmerica is one of the longest-running online firearms marketplaces in the United States, founded in 1997 and operated as a subsidiary of BAANG Media Company from its headquarters in Dallas, Texas. The platform connects private firearm sellers, licensed Federal Firearms License (FFL) dealers, and buyers nationwide, hosting tens of thousands of listings for firearms, accessories, and related products. All firearm transactions are routed through the buyer's selected FFL dealer for legal transfer and background check completion, embedding federal, state, and local regulatory compliance into the platform's core transaction flow.
The company operates a tiered seller membership model: a free Basic tier (6% per-transaction fee, $20 minimum), a Trusted Seller tier at $49.99/month (3% per-transaction fee, API access, bulk upload), and a Platinum Access tier at $995.95/month (zero per-transaction fees, dedicated store page, email blast credits). Underlying platform capabilities include an AI-powered 'What is My Worth' firearm valuation tool, a FastBound integration enabling FFL dealers to automatically sync inventory in real time, multi-level seller verification, secure payment channels, and an editorial content platform (GunsAmerica Digest) that publishes daily firearms news, reviews, and expert guides. The company also produces annual Best of SHOT Show Editor's Choice Awards and runs extensive SHOT Show and NASTI sniper competition media coverage.
GunsAmerica serves multiple customer segments including private individual sellers, licensed FFL dealers, firearm collectors, hunters and sport shooters, and heirs/inheritors of firearms. Revenue is generated through subscription membership fees and per-transaction commissions on marketplace sales, with all transactions legally structured through the FFL dealer network. The company operates with 1-10 employees, has never disclosed external funding rounds, and has been continuously self-sustaining for over 27 years.
GunsAmerica firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- GunsAmerica
- Legal name
- GunsAmerica
- Website
- https://gunsamerica.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1997
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1–10 employees
- Short description
- GunsAmerica is a Dallas-based online firearms marketplace founded in 1997 that connects private sellers, licensed FFL dealers, and buyers nationwide through a tiered subscription platform with AI-powered valuation tools and integrated FFL compliance infrastructure.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
GunsAmerica industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Online Firearms Marketplace
- NAICS
- Sporting Goods Retailers (459110)
- SIC
- Sporting & Athletic Goods, Nec (3949)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Firearms & Ammunition Retail (CRAMAKAA)
- akta.pro secondary industry
- Hunting, Shooting Sports & Archery Retail (CRAMABAK)
Keywords
Where GunsAmerica is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- North Miami Beach
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices1 record
Markets served
GunsAmerica business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Digital Commerce or Content
- Cost components
- Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Operations, Personnel, Infrastructure
Revenue model
- Seller Membership Fees: Three-tier subscription model for sellers: Basic (free with 6% transaction fee), Trusted Seller ($49.99/month with 3% fee), and Platinum ($995.95/month with no transaction fee)
- Transaction/Commission Fees: Percentage-based fees on firearms sales (6% for Basic, 3% for Trusted Seller, waived for Platinum), with minimum fees of $20 for firearms and $4 for non-FFL items
- Marketplace Commission: Take rate on marketplace transactions between buyers and sellers, facilitated through the platform's secure transaction system
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Transaction based/ take rate | Pay-as-you-go | Free tier with 6% transaction fee on sales |
| Subscription | Monthly | Mid-tier membership with 3% transaction fee and monthly subscription |
| Subscription | Monthly | Premium tier with no transaction fees for high-volume sellers |
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels3 records
Marketing channels5 records
GunsAmerica product offering
Product offeringCore offering
GunsAmerica operates an online firearms marketplace that connects private sellers, licensed FFL dealers, and buyers across the United States. The platform hosts tens of thousands of firearm and accessory listings, requires all firearm transactions to be shipped to a licensed FFL dealer for legal transfer and background check, and monetizes through tiered seller memberships (Basic, Trusted Seller, Platinum) plus percentage-based transaction fees. It also offers an AI-powered "What is My Worth" valuation tool, a nationwide FFL dealer network, and the GunsAmerica Digest editorial content platform.
Product overview
GunsAmerica operates as a comprehensive online firearms marketplace and media platform. The core product is its online marketplace connecting private sellers, retailers, and FFL dealers nationwide. The platform is structured around three seller membership tiers (Basic Seller, Trusted Seller at $49.99/month, and Platinum Access at $995.95/month) that provide tools for listing, pricing, and managing firearm sales. Key features include the What is My Worth valuation tool for pricing assistance, FastBound integration for FFL dealer inventory synchronization, and access to a nationwide FFL dealer network for compliant transfers. The GunsAmerica Digest provides editorial content including news, reviews, and expert guides. The Best of SHOT Show Editor's Choice Awards represents the company's media and editorial recognition program.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- GunsAmerica Online Marketplace Core online firearms marketplace that connects private sellers, licensed retailers, and buyers nationwide. Allows browsing, listing, and purchasing of firearms and accessories, with all firearm transactions shipped to a licensed FFL dealer for legal transfer and background check.
- Basic Seller Membership
Companies that use GunsAmerica
Customer profileSegments5 records
Ideal customer profiles4 records
GunsAmerica technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- Yes
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Integration1 record
Feature4 records
GunsAmerica partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
One partnership is on record.
- FastBoundcoreGunsAmerica launched a new integration with FastBound that enables FFL dealers to automatically sync their inventory data with its online marketplace. The integration streamlines listings, reduces errors, and improves compliance by allowing real-time updates of product information. This partnership enhances the market reach for dealers using the GunsAmerica platform while ensuring accurate inventory representation.
Scale indicators4 records
Recent moves5 records
Expansion highlights5 records
GunsAmerica competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- GunBroker: The largest U.S. online firearms marketplace, connecting buyers, sellers, and FFL dealers. Directly comparable to GunsAmerica in marketplace model, FFL-required transfer architecture, and tiered seller monetization, but operates at substantially greater scale with more sophisticated technology.
- Armslist: Online firearms classifieds marketplace with strong private-party seller base. Comparable to GunsAmerica in connecting private sellers with buyers, though Armslist is more classifieds-style (no integrated payment/transfer) and less reliant on FFL dealer inventory sync.
- Guns.com: Online firearms retailer and marketplace combining first-party inventory with third-party listings. Direct overlap with GunsAmerica in firearms commerce, content marketing, and valuation tools (Blue Book integration), with comparable mission but different ownership structure.
- Cheaper Than Dirt: Long-established online firearms, ammunition, and accessories retailer with marketplace elements. Comparable to GunsAmerica in product breadth, target customer (hunters, sport shooters), and compliance-first approach, though operates more as a retailer than peer-to-peer marketplace.
Emerging players
- Palmetto State Armory: Fast-growing online direct-to-consumer firearms and accessories retailer with strong private-label brands. Competes with GunsAmerica for online firearms buyers and uses aggressive pricing and content, though primarily a retailer rather than a multi-seller marketplace.
- Kygunco (KY Gun Co.): Online firearms retailer offering new and used inventory with FFL transfer network. Comparable to GunsAmerica in online firearms sales model and reliance on FFL dealers for transfer, though Kygunco is primarily a retailer with proprietary inventory.
- Brownells: Long-established firearms accessories, gunsmithing, and reloading supplier with online commerce and content presence. Comparable to GunsAmerica in serving firearms enthusiasts through e-commerce and editorial content, though focused on parts/accessories rather than whole firearms marketplace.
Broad incumbents
- Bass Pro Shops / Cabela's: Dominant brick-and-mortar outdoor retailer (now owned by Great American Outdoors Group) selling firearms, hunting, and outdoor gear. Indirectly comparable to GunsAmerica via overlapping customer base (hunters, sport shooters) and SHOT Show presence, but operates primarily physical retail at much larger scale.
- Sportsman's Warehouse: Multi-state specialty retailer of sporting goods, firearms, and hunting equipment. Overlaps with GunsAmerica in firearms retail and customer segments (hunters, sport shooters), though operates as traditional retail rather than online marketplace.
Others
- FastBound: FFL dealer compliance and inventory management software that integrates with GunsAmerica via a partnership. Ecosystem/enabler relationship—FastBound's dealer tools are integrated into GunsAmerica's marketplace, making it both a partner and an adjacent service provider to FFL dealers.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
GunsAmerica social profiles
Digital presenceGunsAmerica financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
GunsAmerica leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles2 records
GunsAmerica funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
GunsAmerica M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about GunsAmerica
What does GunsAmerica do?
GunsAmerica operates an online firearms marketplace that connects private sellers, licensed FFL dealers, and buyers across the United States. The platform hosts tens of thousands of firearm and accessory listings, requires all firearm transactions to be shipped to a licensed FFL dealer for legal transfer and background check, and monetizes through tiered seller memberships (Basic, Trusted Seller, Platinum) plus percentage-based transaction fees. It also offers an AI-powered "What is My Worth" valuation tool, a nationwide FFL dealer network, and the GunsAmerica Digest editorial content platform.
Is GunsAmerica a public or private company?
GunsAmerica is a private company. It is classified as founder individual operated bootstrapped and is currently operating.
When was GunsAmerica founded?
GunsAmerica was founded in 1997. It employs 1 to 10 people.
Where is GunsAmerica based?
GunsAmerica is headquartered in North Miami Beach, United States, in the North America region.
How does GunsAmerica make money?
Three revenue lines are on record. Seller Membership Fees are the primary driver. The others are transaction/Commission Fees and marketplace Commission.
Who are GunsAmerica's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are GunBroker, Armslist, Guns.com and Cheaper Than Dirt. Emerging players are Palmetto State Armory, Kygunco (KY Gun Co.) and Brownells. Broad incumbents are Bass Pro Shops / Cabela's and Sportsman's Warehouse. FastBound is listed as an others.
Does GunsAmerica have an API?
Yes. GunsAmerica offers API Access as part of its Trusted Seller membership tier, enabling sellers to programmatically manage inventory, listings, and product data. The API allows for bulk upload of inventory and real-time synchronization of product information.
What industry is GunsAmerica in?
GunsAmerica's product category is Online Firearms Marketplace. Its primary akta.pro industry code is CRAMAKAA, Firearms & Ammunition Retail, with a secondary code of CRAMABAK, Hunting, Shooting Sports & Archery Retail. Its NAICS code is 459110 and its SIC code is 3949.