Posted: 1/20/2006 10:46:43 AM EDT
Well, I can't say that I'm surprised. I set up a new Paypal account to accept payments related to a business I own. That business is in no way or form related to firearms, weapons, weapons or firearms parts etc... However, I sold a STG58 kit to a guy (and, as you know, not legally a "firearm" or regulated legally in any way, and the guy lives in a free state) and he sent me the funds via Paypal. So, here's the message I just got from Paypal.
Dear, [SIR]
The PayPal User Agreement states that PayPal, at its sole discretion, reserves the right to close an account for any violation of the User Agreement, including the Acceptable Use Policy. Under the Acceptable Use Policy, PayPal may not be used to send or receive payments for any firearm, in addition to certain firearm parts and accessories, ammunition, destructive devices, militaria and ordnance, weapons, and knives. The complete Acceptable Use Policy addressing Firearms, Weapons, and Knives can be found at the following URL:
XXXXX
We are hereby notifying you that, after a recent review of your account activity, it has been determined that you are in violation of PayPal's Acceptable Use Policy. Therefore, your account has been closed.
You will need to remove all references to PayPal from your website(s) and/or auction(s). This includes not only removing PayPal as a payment option, but also the PayPal logo and/or shopping cart. We thank you in advance for your cooperation. If you have any questions, please contact the PayPal Acceptable Use Policy Department at [email protected].
Sincerely, PayPal Acceptable Use Policy Department PayPal, an eBay Company
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So, I went to the link [the XXXXs] and, as stated, this is their policy:
FIREARMS You may not use PayPal in the purchase or sale of any firearm. This includes all rifles, shotguns, and handguns, whether for use in sporting, as collectibles, or curio and relic (C&R) firearms, and regardless of their present working order. Furthermore, PayPal defines “firearm” consistent with the U.S. Code and, as such, prohibits frames, receivers, or any other serialized firearm components. For more information, please refer to U.S. Code Title 18, Section 921
Exception for Imitation and Non-Powder Guns PayPal permits the use of its services in the sale of certain properly-conforming replica (imitation) guns, paintball guns, blank guns, and “air-soft” guns. These items must display all markings required by law, must not be able to be readily converted to shoot a lethal projectile, and blank ammunition must not be included in the sale. For more information regarding regulations applicable to the sale of imitation firearms, please refer to U.S. Code Title 15, Section 5001. The sale of imitation guns may be regulated differently outside the U.S., and international buyers and sellers must abide by these laws accordingly.
FIREARM PARTS AND ACCESSORIES You may not use PayPal to purchase or sell any firearm receivers or frames, components and parts of receivers and frames, or "cut" or "80%" receivers. PayPal also does not permit assault weapon-related parts and accessories, firearm silencers, and kits designed to convert a firearm to have automatic firing capability. This includes the sale of any parts or accessories prohibited for sale by the National Firearms Act or other federal or state law, including items related to short-barreled shotguns or short-barreled rifles, fully automatic weapons, large-capacity magazines, multi-burst trigger activators and camouflaging firearm containers.
For more information about the National Firearms Act (NFA) and its requirements, please refer to the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms website.
| According to Paypal. "Furthermore, PayPal defines “firearm” consistent with the U.S. Code". So, according to Paypal's own policy, I didn't voilate their code. Now, here's the kicker. When I called them they said the only way to resolve the issue was to log into my account and write an e-mail appeal. They said, "no", there is no one to talk to....writing the e-mail is the only way. So I went to my account and it said... -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- This limitation of your account privileges cannot be appealed. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- In conclusion: I suppose I deserve all of this. I opened an account with a company like this in spite of all my buds here at ARFCOM's warnings. I only did it because it wasn't going to be used for anything gun related. Oh, well. So, if you're like me (and don't listen until you've heard something a hundred times) and were or are tempted to open up a Paypal account, let this story be a lesson to you. Now (and I know this has come up before), please suggest some reasonably priced alternatives--so I can accept credit cards on-line. Please suggest company's who don't have retarded policies that they, themselves, don't even understand, company's or options that don't require me to deal with anti-gun asshats. Thanks. P.S. Luckily I was in the habit of transferring all the funds out of the account as soon they appeared. Good thing, because the account is now "suspend" for 180 days after which it will be cancelled/closed.
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