About Us

Elite 2A Pay is a payment processing company built for one purpose: giving firearm businesses a reliable, compliant way to accept payments without fear of being shut down. From shooting ranges and gun shops to online ammo retailers, Elite 2A Pay exists to solve a problem that mainstream processors refuse to address - sudden account closures and frozen funds just because you operate in the firearms industry.

Too many merchants in the firearms industry have learned the hard way that companies like Stripe, PayPal, and Square will terminate accounts overnight. Transactions are frozen, funds are locked, and entire businesses are left scrambling. Elite 2A Pay was founded to put an end to that cycle.

Elite 2A Pay is not a generic merchant services provider. We do not try to serve every industry. Our focus is 100% on the firearms community and that specialization means our merchants get stable accounts, transparent terms, and support from a team that understands the unique challenges of the 2A world.

The idea behind Elite 2A Pay came from listening to the frustrations of gun shop owners, shooting range operators, FFL dealers, and online ammo retailers who kept running into the same wall: payment processors that claimed to support small businesses but quietly labeled anything firearm-related as "high risk" and pulled the plug.

The leadership team at Elite 2A Pay saw an opportunity to do things differently. Co-founder and Director of Sales Adam Yaras and Vice President Paul Rasidakis set out to create a dedicated solution that would bring credibility, security, and long-term stability to firearm merchants. Their combined experience in sales, risk management, and financial services shapes how we keep accounts open, guide merchants through compliance, and provide processors that firearm businesses can depend on year after year.

From the very beginning, our mission has been straightforward:

• Work only with vetted, 2A-friendly banking partners.
• Maintain full PCI compliance and security for every merchant account.
• Provide clear, reliable support from a U.S.-based team that knows the industry.

Firearm businesses are not treated fairly in today's financial system. Many payment processors promote themselves as "small-business friendly" while enforcing policies that discriminate against law-abiding merchants.

• Stripe has an explicit ban on firearms and ammunition, regardless of legality.
• PayPal freezes accounts that process transactions even loosely tied to firearms or accessories.
• Square has similar restrictions, and when violations are flagged, they hold funds with little recourse for the business owner.

These shutdowns aren't just inconvenient, they put payroll, inventory, and customer relationships at risk. For a gun shop or ammo website, losing payment capabilities for even a few days can cripple operations.

Elite 2A Pay was created as a direct response. We don't dance around our stance. If your business operates in the firearms space and complies with federal and state law, we want to support you.

Our difference is not just that we say "yes" when Stripe and PayPal say "no". It's how we deliver stability and compliance at the same time.

• Banking Partnerships: We only partner with U.S.-based, firearms-friendly banks that understand the industry and are committed to supporting it.
• Compliance First: Every merchant account we set up meets PCI DSS standards, protecting sensitive customer data and reducing liability.
• Transparent Terms: We believe merchants should know exactly what they're paying for. No hidden fees. No vague clauses.
• Wide Integration: Elite 2A Pay works with most point-of-sale systems and e-commerce platforms. If your setup needs a connector, we'll help you get it running smoothly.
• Support You Can Reach: Our U.S.-based customer service team is available when you need them - no outsourced call centers, no endless wait times.

Elite 2A Pay supports businesses across the firearms industry, including:

• Brick-and-mortar gun shops and ranges
• Online ammo and accessories retailers
• Gunsmiths, manufacturers, and wholesalers
• Patriot-themed apparel and gear companies
• Training schools and instructors

Because our underwriting process is tailored to this industry, merchants avoid the gray areas that get them into trouble with mainstream providers. We know the compliance standards, the risks, and the safeguards and we build accounts that are structured to withstand scrutiny.

Behind Elite 2A Pay is a leadership team that believes financial services should strengthen, not sabotage, the businesses they serve.

• Adam Yaras, Co-Founder & Director of Sales, works directly with gun shops, ranges, and online FFLs to make sure they never get blindsided by fine print or sudden account closures. His focus is on clear terms, straight answers, and giving merchants a processor they can finally trust.
• Paul Rasidakis, Vice President, manages the behind-the-scenes compliance and banking relationships that keep accounts stable. He's the one making sure our firearm merchants aren't flagged, frozen, or quietly dropped the way they are with mainstream processors.

Together, they represent the core values of Elite 2A Pay: stability, compliance, and an unapologetic commitment to supporting the firearms industry.

Elite 2A Pay isn't just about running credit cards. It's about making sure your gun shop doesn't wake up one morning to find its account frozen because a mainstream processor decided you were 'high risk.' We built our platform so firearm businesses can sell, ship, and grow without worrying about hidden agendas or sudden shutdowns.

That's why we'll continue to:

• Expand our partnerships with firearms-friendly banks, including regional credit unions and national institutions that actively underwrite firearm merchants, so your account isn't riding on a single provider.
• Invest in compliance tools that keep merchants secure - from PCI DSS Level 1 data security to chargeback mitigation dashboards and fraud monitoring, giving you enterprise-grade protection without enterprise headaches.
• Stand firm against payment platforms that blacklist 2A businesses by working with multiple sponsor banks and processors at once, ensuring your account keeps running even if one institution suddenly changes its policy on 2A merchants.

If you've already had Stripe, Square, or PayPal freeze your account without warning, you know how disruptive it can be. Elite 2A Pay eliminates that risk by working only with firearms-friendly banks, building redundancy into every account, and keeping you compliant with the latest PCI and industry standards. Instead of gambling on a platform that could shut you down tomorrow, you get a merchant account designed to stay open long term.

Call us today at (844) 692-2792 or fill out the form to start processing with a partner that understands, and defends, your business.