National Carry AcademyFacebook Moves to Ban Private Gun Sales on Its Site and Instagram
September 8, 2016
For more info on being trained as a concealed carrier, visit our “State Laws” information portal: http://www.nationalcarryacademy.com/state-laws
In January, Facebook and Instagram updated their policies on items that are prohibited for sale on their sites to include guns, gun parts and ammunition. Licensed firearms retailers, however, will still be able to advertise their goods and services on Facebook, but sales transactions must take place off of Facebook’s site.
The policy change is specifically aimed at cracking down on private individuals’ facilitating the sale or trade of guns. Facebook is the largest social media site with over 1.5 billion global users. 86% of those users are from outside of the U.S. As Facebook has moved toward becoming an e-commerce platform and introduced new services like Facebook Messenger, which offers users the ability to pay each other directly, it has become a haven for gun sales-legal and illegal.
In an effort to curb the illegal sales, in 2014, Facebook banned private sales of guns by using advertising stating “no background check required”. Additionally, no gun transactions across U.S. state lines by unauthorized dealers are permitted. They have also prevented minors from accessing pages that advertising gun sales.
Facebook has been under pressure for years from gun safety groups, pro-gun control groups and the government to stem the flow of gun sales on its site. President Obama has urged social media companies to clamp down on gun sales organized on their platforms.
The updated regulated goods policy on Facebook now reads, “We prohibit any attempts by unauthorized dealers to purchase, sell, or trade prescription drugs, marijuana, or firearms. If you post an offer to purchase or sell alcohol, tobacco, or adult products, we expect you to comply with all applicable laws and carefully consider the audience for that content. We do not allow you to use Facebook’s payment tools to sell or purchase regulated goods on our platform.”
Despite its strong stance on the sale of guns, Facebook doesn’t actually track how many groups on its site are dedicated to buying and selling guns and admits that it doesn’t read all of the messages posted on its site. Facebook plans to rely on its over 1.5 billion users to report anyone who violates its updated policy. Given their limited enforcement ability, has the loophole on private gun sales really been closed?
Nancy Thorne is founder and principal of Thorne Business Research. With more than 30 years experience as an information research and writing professional in small business, trade associations and large corporate environments. She has expertise in writing blog posts, articles, newsletters and reports for a diverse group of clients in a wide variety of industries. Prior to becoming an independent writer and information professional, Ms. Thorne held research and analytical positions with Bank of America and Citicorp and was a licensed teacher of English.
Facebook Moves to Ban Private Gun Sales on Its Site and Instagram
September 8, 2016
For more info on being trained as a concealed carrier, visit our “State Laws” information portal: http://www.nationalcarryacademy.com/state-laws
In January, Facebook and Instagram updated their policies on items that are prohibited for sale on their sites to include guns, gun parts and ammunition. Licensed firearms retailers, however, will still be able to advertise their goods and services on Facebook, but sales transactions must take place off of Facebook’s site.
The policy change is specifically aimed at cracking down on private individuals’ facilitating the sale or trade of guns. Facebook is the largest social media site with over 1.5 billion global users. 86% of those users are from outside of the U.S. As Facebook has moved toward becoming an e-commerce platform and introduced new services like Facebook Messenger, which offers users the ability to pay each other directly, it has become a haven for gun sales-legal and illegal.
In an effort to curb the illegal sales, in 2014, Facebook banned private sales of guns by using advertising stating “no background check required”. Additionally, no gun transactions across U.S. state lines by unauthorized dealers are permitted. They have also prevented minors from accessing pages that advertising gun sales.
Facebook has been under pressure for years from gun safety groups, pro-gun control groups and the government to stem the flow of gun sales on its site. President Obama has urged social media companies to clamp down on gun sales organized on their platforms.
The updated regulated goods policy on Facebook now reads, “We prohibit any attempts by unauthorized dealers to purchase, sell, or trade prescription drugs, marijuana, or firearms. If you post an offer to purchase or sell alcohol, tobacco, or adult products, we expect you to comply with all applicable laws and carefully consider the audience for that content. We do not allow you to use Facebook’s payment tools to sell or purchase regulated goods on our platform.”
Despite its strong stance on the sale of guns, Facebook doesn’t actually track how many groups on its site are dedicated to buying and selling guns and admits that it doesn’t read all of the messages posted on its site. Facebook plans to rely on its over 1.5 billion users to report anyone who violates its updated policy. Given their limited enforcement ability, has the loophole on private gun sales really been closed?
Nancy Thorne is founder and principal of Thorne Business Research. With more than 30 years experience as an information research and writing professional in small business, trade associations and large corporate environments. She has expertise in writing blog posts, articles, newsletters and reports for a diverse group of clients in a wide variety of industries. Prior to becoming an independent writer and information professional, Ms. Thorne held research and analytical positions with Bank of America and Citicorp and was a licensed teacher of English.