Budsgunshop.com: Hiring, Background Check & Employment Verification FAQs

Bud's Gun Shop was founded in 2003 by Bud Wells in Lexington, Kentucky, growing from its start into one of the largest online firearm and ammunition retailers in the country. In 2010, Joe Murphy bought into the business alongside founder Bud Wells and then-president Rex McClanahan; Wells retired in 2014, and Murphy went on to lead the company as CEO. Murphy, who began his career in banking in 1993, has been an active member of the Lexington business community for decades. The company has more recently added Mark Stecher as president and chief operating officer to support continued growth alongside Murphy.

Bud's Gun Shop has served more than 4.5 to 4.7 million customers since its founding, operating both its well-known e-commerce platform at BudsGunShop.com and physical retail locations, including its flagship Lexington, Kentucky store and range, along with additional locations such as Greenville. The company has held Better Business Bureau accreditation since 2008 with an A+ rating, reflecting its long operating history and established reputation in the firearms retail industry. Bud's Gun Shop is registered as an LLC and operates as Budsgunshop.com, LLC, also known by names including Buds Gun Shop & Range and Buds Police Supply.

Bud's Gun Shop's workforce includes retail sales associates who assist customers with firearm purchases, range staff who oversee shooting range operations and training classes, e-commerce and fulfillment personnel who process online orders, and gunsmiths and technicians. Given the nature of the business, all firearm sales are subject to federal background check requirements administered through licensed dealers.

Company culture and employee programs: Bud's Gun Shop emphasizes providing customers with a wide selection of firearms and accessories at competitive prices alongside strong customer service, a reputation reflected in its long-standing BBB accreditation and positive customer reviews. The company has continued to invest in leadership development as it grows its retail and e-commerce operations. Benefits, scheduling, and advancement opportunities can vary by role and location, so candidates should confirm specifics with a recruiter during the hiring process.

Yes. Employers in the firearms retail industry, including Bud's Gun Shop, are legally permitted and, for many roles, required to conduct pre-employment background checks on job candidates, given the highly regulated nature of firearms sales in addition to standard employment screening. In the United States, employment screening is governed by the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA), which requires employers to obtain written consent, provide disclosures, and follow adverse action procedures.

Bud's Gun Shop is generally reported to conduct background checks as part of its hiring process, which is standard and often expected for firearms retail employers, particularly for roles involving direct handling and sale of firearms as a Federal Firearms Licensee (FFL).

The hiring process for retail and range positions at Bud's Gun Shop typically includes an application, an interview, and a background check prior to a final offer. Roles involving direct firearm sales may involve additional compliance training related to federal firearms regulations.

Background check timelines can vary based on the type of screening requested and how quickly records can be verified. Learn more about typical background check turnaround times to understand what factors can affect the process.

A typical pre-employment background check for a firearms retail role may include:

Under the FCRA, criminal history reporting is generally limited to seven years for most background checks, though federal firearms industry regulations may involve additional scrutiny of an applicant's full criminal history for roles directly involved in firearm sales, given restrictions on individuals with certain convictions handling firearms in a professional capacity.

Hiring decisions involving candidates with criminal records are generally made on a case-by-case basis, but federal law imposes significant restrictions on individuals with felony convictions or certain other disqualifying records from being involved in the direct sale, handling, or transfer of firearms as part of a Federal Firearms Licensee's operations. Some states have adopted "ban-the-box" laws that may apply differently in heavily regulated firearms industry contexts.

Candidates can generally expect to provide personal information such as full legal name, date of birth, and Social Security number, along with signed consent authorizing the background check, in compliance with FCRA requirements and applicable federal firearms industry regulations.

The Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) is a federal law that regulates how employers can use background check information in hiring decisions. It requires employers to notify candidates before running a check, obtain written consent, and follow specific adverse action procedures if a decision is made based on background check results.

Running a personal background check with Checkr lets you preview what Bud's Gun Shop may see during the hiring process, helping you address any concerns before you apply. A personal background check can include:

Learn more about Checkr Personal Background Checks and explore your Checkr Profile to see what information may appear in your own background check.

If you're a candidate with a background check in progress through Checkr as part of your application to Bud's Gun Shop or another employer, you can check your status through the Candidate Portal. For additional support, visit the Checkr Help Center.

The information provided in this article does not, and is not intended to, constitute legal advice. All information is for general informational purposes only. Checkr does not guarantee the accuracy, completeness, or usefulness of this information and is not responsible for any errors or omissions, or for the results obtained from the use of this information. This article may contain links to other third-party websites. Such links are only for the convenience of the reader. Checkr does not endorse the contents of the third-party sites and disclaims any affiliation with the companies mentioned in this article unless otherwise stated.