The Square Reader credit card processor has become a valuable small business tool and is in use by hundreds of different businesses. Taxis, contractors, photographers and even trade show exhibitors all enjoy the easy of use and portability Square offers. All you need is a cell phone and the small reader that plugs into your phones headphone jack and you can accept credit card payments.
Unless you sell guns. Square changed their terms of use to include the following:
“…you will not accept payments in connection with the following businesses or business activities: …sales of (i) firearms, firearm parts or hardware, and ammunition; or (ii) weapons and other devices designed to cause physical injury.”
The timing of this change coincides with the expansion of “Operation Choke Point”, a U.S. Department of Justice program. This program was originally intended to to shut down the bank accounts of businesses that commit mass consumer fraud but has recently been expanded to include legitimate businesses such as gun dealers, pawn shops, payday lenders, tobacco dealers and others.
It all seems a little suspect. Read more about the timing of this Square change here:
http://www.hawaiireporter.com/for-gun-shop-owners-its-no-longer-hip-to-be-square/123