Sample Gun Shop Business Plan

A gun shop business plan is essential for anyone looking to open a new gun shop. A well-written business plan will help you obtain funding, attract investors, and organize your thoughts as you get your business off the ground. 

To help you get started, we have prepared a sample gun shop business plan template.

Related: Guide to starting a gun shop 

Executive Summary

Fred’s Firearms is a new gun shop in Dallas, Texas that will provide customers with a wide variety of firearms and ammunition. In addition, the shop will also offer gun safety classes and target practice facilities. The shop will be open seven days a week and staffed by knowledgeable and friendly employees.

The shop will cater to both experienced shooters and those who are new to firearms. In addition to selling firearms and ammunition, Fred’s Firearms will buy used guns from customers. The shop will also offer gun cleaning and repair services.

The target market for Fred’s Firearms includes both men and women of all ages. The shop will also appeal to hunters, sport shooters, and those who are interested in self-defense.

The competition for Fred’s Firearms will be other gun shops in the area. However, the shop will differentiate itself by offering a wider selection of firearms, ammunition, and gun accessories. In addition, Fred’s Firearms will provide customers with a superior level of customer service.

The start-up costs for Fred’s Firearms will be approximately $172,000. This includes the cost of leasehold improvements, inventory, and operating expenses. The owner will invest $35,000 of personal funds. The owner requests $137,000 in bank funding.

Company Description

Fred’s Firearms, a new gun shop in Dallas, Texas, will provide customers with a wide variety of firearms and ammunition. The shop will also offer gun safety classes and target practice facilities. The shop will be open seven days a week and staffed by knowledgeable and friendly employees.

The shop will cater to both experienced shooters and those who are new to firearms. In addition to selling firearms and ammunition, Fred’s Firearms will also buy used guns from customers. The shop will also offer gun cleaning and repair services.

Products and Services

Fred’s Firearms will offer a wide variety of firearms and ammunition for sale. New guns will include all of the popular brands customers are looking for, in addition to hard-to-find rifles and shotguns. The shop will also buy used guns from customers, in addition to offering gun cleaning and repair services.

Management 

Business Structure

Fred’s Firearms will be organized as a Texas Limited Liability Company.

Related: Learn more about choosing a legal structure.

Owner Bio

Frederick Smith is the owner of Fred’s Firearms. Frederick has been a lifelong gun enthusiast and has been involved in the firearms industry for over 20 years. He has decided to open his own gun shop in order to share his passion with others to safely enjoy shooting sports.

In his spare time, Frederick enjoys hunting and fishing.

Employees

Fred’s Firearms will initially be staffed by the owner, Frederick Smith, and two part-time employees. The employees will be responsible for sales, customer service, gun cleaning and repair services.

The employees will be knowledgeable and friendly, and they will receive ongoing training to ensure that they are able to provide the best possible service to customers.

Licenses & Permits

Paperwork to obtain the Federal Firearms License (FFL) from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF) along with a state of Texas Firearms Dealer license is in progress and expected to be approved shortly. 

Location

Fred’s Firearms will be located in a shopping center located on 123 Main Street in Dallas, Texas. The shop will have 2,000 square feet of retail space and will be open seven days a week.

The shop will include a sales floor, gun cleaning, and repair area.

Marketing Strategy

Market Analysis

The target market for Fred’s Firearms includes both men and women of all ages. The shop will also appeal to hunters, sport shooters, and those who are interested in self-defense.

Demographics

The target market for Fred’s Firearms includes both men and women of all ages. The shop will also appeal to hunters, sport shooters, and those who are interested in self-defense.

The market for firearms can be segmented by type of customer, such as hunters, sport shooters, or those interested in self-defense.

The trend in the firearms market is toward increased regulation. However, there are still many people who are interested in purchasing firearms.

SWOT Analysis

Strengths:

• The shop will offer a wide variety of firearms and ammunition.
• The shop will also offer gun safety classes and target practice facilities.
• The employees will be knowledgeable and friendly.

Weaknesses:

• The shop is located in a shopping center and does not have its own stand-alone building.

Opportunities:

• The market for firearms is growing.
• The shop will be able to buy used guns from customers.

Threats:

• There is increased regulation of the firearms market.
• The shop is located in a shopping center and could be affected by changes in the surrounding businesses.

Sales Strategy

The promotion strategy for Fred’s Firearms will include print advertising, online adverting, search engine optimization (SEO), as well as word-of-mouth marketing.

Print advertising will include ads in local newspapers and magazines. 

Online advertising will include paid ads on Google AdWords and social media marketing through Facebook and Instagram.

Search engine optimization will be utilized to ensure the website will remain at the top of online searches for gun shops.

Word-of-mouth marketing will be generated through satisfied customers who tell their friends and family about the shop. In addition, the owner will also work with local gun ranges to spread the word to potential customers. 

Competition

While there are several other competitors in the area that sell guns, there are two main competitors for Fred’s Firearms. Texas Firearms and America Sharpshooters both carry a similar line of firearms, however, Fred’s Firearms will differentiate itself by offering a wider selection of ammunition and gun accessories. In addition, Fred’s Firearms will provide customers with a superior level of customer service.

Pricing

Fred’s Firearms will charge competitive prices for its products and services. The shop will also offer discounts for bulk purchases and for members of the military, law enforcement, and first responders.

The shop will compete with other gun shops in the area on price while also offering a wide variety of firearms and ammunition.

Financial Plan

The financial plan for Fred’s Firearms includes start-up costs, income and expenses, and profitability. The shop will be funded by a combination of personal savings and a small business loan.

Start-up Costs

The start-up costs for Fred’s Firearms include the cost of leasing retail space, purchasing inventory, and hiring employees.

The start-up costs for Fred’s Firearms will include the lease of retail space, the purchase of inventory, signage, and furniture. The shop will also need to obtain a business license and insurance.

List of startup costs:

Inventory – $100,000

• Inventory – $100,000

Building Renovations – $18,000

• Update bathrooms – $5,000
• New flooring – $2,000
• Build new room for cleaning station – $3,000
• Signage – $8,000

Furniture & Fixtures – $19,000

• Retail shelving & counters – $15,000
• Office desks – $1,000
• Repair bench – $3,000

Working Capital – $25,000

• Initial lease deposit and six months of retail space – $15,000
• Initial advertising – $5,000
• Business formation expenses – $1,000
• First year of insurance – $4,000

Miscellaneous – $10,000

• Supplies – $3,000
• Point of sale system – $2,000
• Security system – $5,000

Total startup costs – $172,000

Sales Projections

Income for Fred’s Firearms will primarily be generated by sales of firearms, ammunition, and gun accessories. The shop will also generate income from gun safety classes and target practice fees.

The shop is expected to be profitable within the first year of operation. The profitability will increase in subsequent years as the shop builds a loyal customer base.

Year 1: $500,000
Year 2: $750,000
Year 3: $1,000,000

Annual Expenses

• Rent: $36,000
• Utilities: $3,600
• Insurance: $1,200
• Inventory: $120,000 (24% of sales)
• Payroll: $240,000
• Advertising: $12,000
• Legal and accounting: $6,000
• Miscellaneous: $6,000

Projections are expected to increase 3% annually.

Total Expenses: $435,800

Annual Sales: $500,000

Net Profit: $64,200